Great attendance at Herity book launch

"Anyone who says that there is no interest in heritage in Westmeath is wrong, and you have proved that here tonight," said Professor Michael Herity, as a large crowd attended the launch of the latest of his 'Ordnance Survey Letters' series of books in Mullingar on Tuesday of last week.The Westmeath native and former UCD professor unveiled the Longford/Westmeath edition at the Atrium, at Mullingar's Áras an Chontae, with the Vicar-General of the Diocese of Meath, Castletown-Geoghegan native Monsignor Dermot Farrell, performing the official launch duties.The book investigate and presents annotated and indexed versions of letters written by Gaelic scholar John O'Donovan, a researcher with the original Ordnance Survey of Ireland, which was launched in 1834.O'Donovan's task was to verify townland names, but his letters on the subject to Thomas Larcom at Ordnance Survey HQ are a valuable source of information on pre-Famine Ireland; he arrived in Longford and Westmeath in 1837, noting his conversations with learned residents of the counties.The launch was opened by Westmeath County Council chairman Mick Dollard, who welcomed Professor Herity and Monsignor Farrell to the Atrium.Speaking to the audience, Msgr. Farrell said: "This scholarly volume presents to a wider public the lively correspondence of John O'Donovan and his assistant Thomas O'Connor as they travelled the roads of Longford and Westmeath in 1837."The work of O'Donovan laid the foundation for modern scholarship that eventually flourished in the universities. "I very much hope that the present publication will help to make these important resources better known, and that they will be a stimulus to the many local historians and others who are curious about, and value, the history, architectural heritage, the geography, environment and topography of Counties Longford and Westmeath."Msgr. Farrell - past president of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, and the present parish priest of Dunboyne - spoke eloquently about the application of O'Donovan's findings over the years. He referred to Brian Friel's use of the letters for his play, 'Translations', and to the fact that the documents formed the basis for Westmeath historian, Fr. Paul Walsh's 'Placenames of Westmeath, Part I' (1915)."I congratulate Dr. Herity on this excellent production of Ordnance Survey Letters, Longford and Westmeath, which through the greatest dedication and hard work he has produced," Msgr. Farrell continued."The publication of these letters is a daunting challenge. I think it is safe to say that for him it was a labour of love. His publication of these letters is the res ipsa loquitur for the range and depth of his scholarship."I am sure that no other person, in terms of his life's experiences, as well as his qualities as a professional archaeologist and understanding of the Celtic past and Gaelic language, could come near to matching his suitability for this immense task."Professor Herity also spoke, thanking the publishers (Dublin-based Fourmasters Press), and to the members and staff of Westmeath County Council for their support for the launch, particularly the Arts Officer, Catherine Kelly.He also paid tribute to Msgr. Farrell for giving the audience a "wonderful introduction" to the life's work of John O'Donovan and his colleagues.As well as having taught at UCD, and serving as the university's Dean of Celtic Studies, Prof. Herity is a past president of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, and a former editor of its journal. He is also a past president of the Royal Irish Academy (1996-99). He has already published edited versions of O'Donovan's Ordnance Survey letters for Dublin, Meath, Donegal, Down, Kildare, Kilkenny, Offaly, Laois, Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Sligo.'Ordnance Survey Letters: Longford & Westmeath', a wonderful collection of primary source material, is available locally at €60.