The latest edition of Fingal Studies is now out. This is the offical journal of Fingal Local Studies and Archives, published annually. The launch will take place on Saturday as part of the Fingal Festival of History, at which I’m also speaking.
It’s my first time publishing an article in this journal and it’s a topic I’ve been working on all year: the terrible La Mancha murders in Malahide, which took place in 1926. It’s still a controversial topic and some groups didn’t want me to speak about it. There was even had some negative feedback, that “we don’t talk about this”!
When writing about it, I wanted to be sensitive to everyone involved, but most particularly the people who lost their lives and should be better remembered today. My efforts are dedicated to the memory of the four McDonnell1 siblings, and their staff, Jim Clarke and Mary McGowan.
I really enjoyed working in a scholarly context again – something I haven’t done since I completed my Masters in History of the Family at the University of Limerick 5 years ago. It also gave me an opportunity to visit the National Archives and look at original trial records, which was fascinating hands-on history.
Of course, my article isn’t the only thing in the journal & it’s a great read. Copies are available now from all the local Fingal libraries.
- Yes, I realise the grave spells it Mac Donnell, but all official documentation for them has Mc, but typical for the period, the newspapers fluctuate, and sometimes even call them McDonald! ↩︎