We were delighted to be support the launch of the new book, Heart and Soul of the Montiaghs Special Edition, at the Wolfe Tone GAC Hall, Derrymacash on Monday 9 December.

The book features the writings of Alice Molloy (née Hendron), who was born and raised in the Montiaghs area of South Lough Neagh, Lurgan. She was a writer of considerable talent whose work often featured in Irelands Own and local weekly newspapers during the early 1900s.  Her stories appear to have been influenced by local events including evictions and the ‘land war’ in the Montiaghs, emigration and political unrest. In recent years knowledge of Alice Molloy and her work has faded into obscurity, but thanks to the efforts of Paul Carville and Norah McCorry who have spent many years tracking down her surviving work, all now compiled into this book,  a new generation is set to rediscovery her.

The publication of this book was made possible thanks to the sales of the first volume of Heart and Soul of the Montiaghs , published in 2022, with the support of the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme.

Copies of the book are now available to buy for £15 from Breen’s Store (Derrytrasna), Danann Crafts (Lurgan) and Mulholland’s Shop (Derrymacash). You can also contact Paul and Norah to order a copy through their Facebook group ‘Heart and Soul of the Montiaghs‘.

Proceeds raised from book sales will be used for charitable donations, educational initiatives and for further publications.