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Acknowledgements

Researching and writing this book has been a long journey and I am grateful for the support of many along the way.

Achill is a place that never ceases to astound me with its beauty and excite me with its richness of history and folklore. I have made numerous trips to the island in all seasons and in all weathers, and left with journals bursting with anecdotes and musings. Writing this book has filled me with a deep admiration for the people of Achill through the generations.

It was while on a residency at the Heinrich Böll cottage in Dugort that I first walked on to the site that was the Achill Mission colony, and where my appetite was whetted for this story. I am indebted for the support of the Heinrich Böll committee, particularly Sheila McHugh and John McHugh, over almost a decade, and for the opportunity to present on the topic of this book at the Heinrich Böll Weekend in May 2015.

On my frequent visits to the island I have enjoyed hospitality and sustenance at Gray’s Guesthouse in Dugort, Bervie Guesthouse and The Beehive in Keel and numerous other hostelries around the island.

I am grateful for the inputs received from Dollie Darlington, Pat Gallagher, John ‘Twin’ McNamara, Anne O’Dowd, Mary Jo O’Keefe, John O’Shea and Tim Stevenson. Brian Thompson generously allowed me to use certain Achill photographs.

For me, one of the gratifying things in researching and writing this book has been the opportunity to spend hours on end in wonderful libraries and I wish to thank the staff of the following: Castlebar County Library, Cavan Johnston County Library, Dublin Diocesan Archives, Irish Church Missions Archives, National Archives of Ireland, National Folklore Collection UCD, National Library of Ireland, NUI Maynooth Library, Representative Church Body Library, RIA Library and Trinity College Library.

It was encouraging to have material for the book published and broadcast in a number of outlets and I am grateful to The Irish Times (An Irishwoman’s Diary), The Irish Story, New Hibernia Review, the Western People, and RTÉ Sunday Miscellany.

Hilary Tulloch has been an immense support throughout this writing journey. She welcomed me into her home, generously shared family archival material, pointed out sources that I missed, occasionally challenged my views and, always, encouraged me when the task of finishing the book seemed daunting.

Patrick Comerford cast a forensic eye over my draft manuscript and I value and appreciate his insightful and gracious comments.

It has been good to take a break from the writing work through walks and rambles on Irish and Camino trails. I am grateful for the friendship and encouragement of those in the Duck walkers and the Gawbata walking group who regularly enquired about my writing progress and wondered why the project was taking so long.

Kathleen Thorne and David Rice, Killaloe, have been constant in their encouragement as they have been to numerous writers from all over Ireland over many years.

Thanks to IAP/Merrion Press for accepting my manuscript for publication and for the professional inputs in getting the story to print.

Finally, thanks to my family, Mick, Breon, Jill, Michael and Gemma, for all the days filled with love and fun.

Patricia Byrne

Limerick

March 2018