At the start of our Women's History of Mohill walk and talk on 20 August 2024.
What a fantastic group that turned out on a rather August evening.
With thanks to Brian Farrell, photographer, and the Leitrim County Council Heritage Office.
So much of our history is written by and about men. But women, ordinary women, built families, businesses and created the town and countryside of Mohill that we know today.
In this walk and talk, I told the story of some of those women.
Click on the map below to download a pdf with snippets about some of the great women we remembered and celebrated on the evening.
This is in no way a complete list! One of the goals of this is to
create a new archive:
A Women's History of Mohill.
Do get in touch and tell your own story by using the contact form here >>>
Some excerpts from By Hereditary Virtues: a history of Lough Rynn are published here, including pieces on the Workhouse in Mohill, and Mohill during and after the Famine.
There are also short pieces on the early history of the Mohill/Lough Rynn area and of Lough Rynn during the 1970s.
Through the summer of 2020 and again in early 2022, the Leitrim Observer published a series of articles on the history of Mohill and Lord Leitrim.
Most of the articles focus on the mid-19th century, and cover topics like the Famine, crime, evictions, land ownership, population and town activity.
Who knew that one could buy Valentine's Day cards in Mohill in 1858?! An ad for cards ranging in price from a penny to 5 shillings is intriguing. This article traces the origins of Valentine's Day and the practice of sending cards to lovers in 19th century Ireland.
From the murder of Dr Muldoon and other elements of Mohill's 20th century history, click on the image above.
To read about Mohill's role in the Anti-Jazz movement, and events commemorated by Mohill History Society, click the button below.
Text originally published on the mohill.com website, published in the late 1990s.
I have not attempted to edit it, and links have not been updated or checked.
Read about notable Mohill people like O'Carolan and some lesser known figures like Charles Reynolds and Rev. J.G. Digges.
(Click here to read about
Lord Leitrim)
This website originated to host research on the history of Lord Leitrim and the Lough Rynn estate near Mohill, Co Leitrim. This later turned into a book, By Hereditary Virtues: a history of Lough Rynn.
Drawing on various primary and secondary sources, By Hereditary Virtues describes how the Lough Rynn estate emerged from early times up to the end of the 19th century. It focuses largely on the 3rd Earl of Leitrim including, his management of the Lough Rynn estate, his role during and after the famine and his eventual demise.
The 2020 edition includes includes additional research on the famine and post-famine era and a new chapter on Lord Leitrim's relationships with the women in his life.
Read more about the book, or buy it directly from me here.
Recipes and Remedies of Lough Rynn is based on original journals by the housekeeper at Lough Rynn, dating from the late 1800s. Read more here >>>
The book has been published as a.
Available as a print-on-demand paperback and hardback at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.
In the UK, the paperback costs £9.95; hardback costs £15.
I have a small number of copies to sell directly, if you prefer to buy directly from me.
A book about Dublin, tells the story of the Upper Leeson Street Area Residents’ Association (Ulsara). It covers the architectural and social history of the area as well as the 50 year campaign by residents to resist uncontrolled development and indiscriminate destruction of its architectural heritage and residential community.
It is available via print-on-demand from Amazon - or directly from me.
Hardback, 2020 edition.
‘Lord Leitrim was not a bad man – if he got his own way’
So one contemporary writer described William Sydney Clements, the 3rd Earl of Leitrim. The Earl lives in local memory as a notorious despot who represented the worst excesses of landlordism in Ireland during the 19th century.
This website supports the biography and has some additional information. Some articles that draw on the book are reproduced here >>>
About the book
Drawing on various primary and secondary sources, By Hereditary Virtues describes how the Lough Rynn estate emerged from early times up to the end of the 19th century. It focuses largely on the 3rd Earl of Leitrim including, his management of the Lough Rynn estate, his role during and after the famine and his eventual demise.
In doing so, the book provides evidence to support the long-held characterisation of Lord Leitrim as a tyrannical landlord. It also explores evidence and perspective that provide new context and perspective. Here was a man who started with a strong determination to improve the land and the lives of those who lived on it, but who ultimately destroyed and was destroyed because of his arrogance and hubris. The story, however, is not just about one man, but rather about all the people who lived and died during an important period in Irish history.
The 2020 edition includes includes additional research on the famine and post-famine era and a new chapter on Lord Leitrim's relationships with the women in his life.
‘A marvellous read providing a wonderful insight into landlordism in 19th century Ireland. A beautifully-presented, well-researched scholarly work.’ Brendan Kennelly
This is the classic local history, a scholarly mosaic of political, social and cultural life which is marked by lucidity, elegant prose, [and] sharp psychological and social observation. We need this kind of intelligent, analytical history.’ Professor Michael L. O'Rourke, Trinity College Dublin
‘A most welcome book that deals with [Leitrim's] most famous, or infamous, character, William Sydney Clements, Lord Leitrim. All is revealed in this excellent book.’ Seán Ó’Suilleabháin, Leabharlann Chontae Liatroma
‘Another fascinating book of West of Ireland history . . . a must for anyone interested in the social history of 19th Century Ireland.’ Desi Kenny, Kenny's Bookshop (www.kennys.ie)
‘With Lough Rynn Castle open as a luxury hotel, the book is a timely recounting of just how much Mohill and Ireland has changed over the last 150 years and will make compelling reading for anyone with an interest in history and the local area.’ Leitrim Observer
AlanG | April 2021
A real treasure
A real treasure, that I'll come back to time and again. Fiona has that rare gift of balancing diligent research with engaging story telling. The wonder of this book is that the reader gets lost in the drama of the day, and picks up a rich historical understanding as a by-product.
Louise S | November 2020
An excellent read
Being from the locality I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning about the history of Lough Rynn and the Mohill area, much of which I was not fully aware of. Lough Rynn has always been a special place to visit. By hereditary virtues allows the reader to visit Lough Rynn in way that lends a greater appreciation for the history of the place and of the lives of the people of the area.
Brian Hall | October 2020
A MOST rewarding read
A MOST rewarding read; insightful and erudite. Research has been developed into remarkable prose and first-class writing. This is a book that is not just of local interest, but is truly of national relevance.
Michelle | September 2020
Excellent book
Was so delighted to receive this book. It is an excellent book & so much history about Lough Rynn very interesting read especially when you're from the area.
belindaferran | September 2020
Informative and well presented. A wonderful read.
I purchased 'By hereditary virtues a history of Lough Rynn' to give me further insight into life on the Lough Rynn estate. I discovered that my 2nd Great Grandfather and his family lived and worked in the Farnaught/Mohill area. Our family burial plot is located in St Mary's Churchyard Farnaught. Having stayed in the Lough Rynn Hotel on a couple of occasions to research ancestry, I found Ms Slevin's writing informative and well presented. A wonderful read.
It would be great to hear from other readers about the books and articles. Please submit a review below. Only your username, rating and review will be published.
There is a wealth of sources on the history of Co Leitrim.
The Research page provides a guide to sources in Leitrim County Library as well as direct links to online sources, including:
There are a number of wonderful books about Mohill and Leitrim, or by people connected to the area. These range from novels to history, and all provide essential insights and knowledge about our people and our past.
Like many rural towns in Ireland, Mohill today is fighting for survival. However, the spirit and character of a strong community remain.
As John McGahern wrote:
Mohill is our town . . . In its plain way I think it beautiful. I think of Mohill as one of the happiest towns in the world.
There are plans to improve the public realm of Mohill: read my submission here.
On 18 March 1923, in the final months of the Civil War, Dr Paddy Muldoon was shot and killed at Bridge Street, Mohill.
Three men and a priest were implicated in the murder. In the aftermath, it was clear that the IRA, church and major figures in the emerging state all colluded in some way to cover up the killing.
100 years to the day, on 18 March 2023, Mohill Historical Society traced Dr Muldoon’s final footsteps with an event that included talks, a public walk, and short film.
On New Year’s Day 1934, over three thousand local people marched through Mohill in an event that marked the beginning of a national Anti-Jazz campaign. The marchers were accompanied by five bands and some carried banners and placards with slogans such as ‘Down with Jazz’ and ‘Out with Paganism.’
An incredible Heritage Week event was held in Mohill on 14 August 2023 with a host of diverse and uniquely talented contributors who celeebrated Mohill's heritage through song, story and music.
The Young Historian programme for Transition Year students was launched in 2021 by Fiona Slevin and Natalie Fryde, and supported by Leitrim County Library. T
he programme is designed to encourage young people to engage with their personal and local history and to develop the skills of history.
Young Historian Award winners are announced in May.
