A fascinating book Fr. Ferris’s Parish Histories:BallymacElligott, Ballyseedy, O’Brennan and Nohoval will be launched next Thursday 7th June in Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee, by Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne. This book edited by Brendan McCarthy after five year’s work on the original manuscript, will be of immense interest not alone to natives of the parishes mentioned but to all who have in interest in life in Kerry. The book can be purchased (€15) in all good Kerry bookshops or order online from publishers.
With its substantial Protestant population, the book comprises for both the Catholic and Protestant community in this part of the county a substantial genealogical archive.
Fr. William Ferris spent much of his five-year curacy from 1929 to 1934 in the parish of BallymacElligott, Co. Kerry, systematically collecting from his parishioners a vast archive of popular history covering not just the parish of BallymacElligott but also the neighbouring parishes of Ballyseedy, O’Brennan, and Nohoval. When almost ready for publication, the book was banned by the Bishop of Kerry because Fr. Ferris had ‘gone against the traditions of the diocese’ as regards his chapter on St. Brendan and the patron saint of Kerry’s place of birth. Dismayed at the ban, Fr. Ferris shelved the manuscript and it has lain dormant ever since. Now after eighty-five years, Fr. Ferris’s History of the Parishes of BallymacElligott, Ballyseedy O’Brennan and Nohoval is finally published.
The book documents not just the history (political, economic and social) of the area and the cultural and topographical landscape, but also comprises a rich genealogical resource. It is a unique compendium of North Kerry life at a time of rapid change and an important record of the oral history and culture of rural life in early twentieth century Ireland.
The uniqueness of the book lies not only in the fact that the content will be new material to the reading public but also thanks to Fr. Ferris recording it in the early 1930s, the fund of oral history, reminiscences, folk memory place names, archaeological heritage, etc of a passing generation was not taken to the grave but was in fact, preserved and is now finally available to the public.
See the comprehensive Surname Index here. (Scroll down to end of the page)
Hello, the link for the surname index in Fr. Ferris’s Parish Histories is not working.
Kathleen, that link should work now. You scroll down to the end of the page for thlist. Thank you for tipping me off.
Anything similar for Ballylongford? Or is there any reference to Ballylongford in the book? Sounds fascinating.
Mary, I don’t know of anything similar for Ballylongford, even though Fr. Ferris spent a number of years there also.
The surname list states not attainable at the end of your notification.
Sheila, thank link should be working now. You scoll down to the end of the page to see the list. Thank you for letting me know.
My Grand Uncle Fr’ Michael O’Donoghue was PP of Ballymac, he was also a great historian.
He is buried outside the front door of the church
Brendan
Brendan you have a great Kerry lineage. Do you know if Fr. O’Donoghue left any articles or papers? Kay
press Ctrl and then click the link will work
I don’t know why it isn’t working for some people. But the website is very simply https://ballymacelligott.com
Hi Kay, I am not able to get the Index link to work either.
Rozanne, sorry if you can’t get the link to work – I have no idea why but the website is https://ballymacelligott.com and go right down to the end of the page.
A welcome development that the book that was banned by the Bishop of Kerry because Fr. Ferris had ‘gone against the traditions of the diocese’ as regards his chapter on St. Brendan and the patron saint of Kerry’s place of birth. Fitting it should be launched by the current bishop of Kerry. It would be interesting if the St Brendan / Sicily connection could be explored. As a navigator/missionary, St Brendan may also have had interests in North Africa.
Hi Kay – I can’t get the link to the publisher to work. I am descended from the O’Shea family from Ballymacelligott and am really looking forward to getting hold of a copy – can you give me the name of the publisher
Thanks
Carol
Carol, I don’t know why the website is not showing up. The list is down at he end of the page https://ballymacelligott.com/
Hi kay. Im having real problems finding my grandmothers death cert. Her name was Catherine O’connor., nee cullitty. Daughter of Michael and wife of patrick jerome O’connor. She died in 1943 but details around her death are sketchy. She had 2 children the first being my mammy johanna mary O’connor and the second sean fidelius O’connor. We were always led to believe she died in childbirth. Im hoping you could shine some light on this. X
Im sorry I forgot to mention they are from killarney x
Hi. Can I buy a copy of this book please?? Mary Jones O Riadas Bar and Restaurant Maglass Ballymacelligott. Thanks
Mary, I don’t know where you would get those books now. They may be out of print but you should contact the author Brendan McCarthy at coolnadeed@btinternet.com