This is the master volume to the 28 book set on Irish Family History from the Irish Genealogical Foundation. The largest and most comprehensive of the series, this volume includes family histories from every county in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It also has, for the first time, the complete surname index for the entire series. The 27 other books which are indexed in this volume will provide additional information on even more families.

The Inishowen peninsula abounds in place-names, all steeped in history and legend, and all reflecting the flora and fauna of Donegal's most beautiful province. This book covers the entire peninsula - from Urris to Templemore.

'Maghtochair' was the pseudonym of 'Derry Journal' journalist Michael Harkin who compiled a series of articles on Inishowen and published them in 1867. His aim was to record and preserve the fast vanishing traditions of this well loved peninsula before the old social order and the Gaelic language disappeared. The book sweeps through Inishowen's ancient, medieval and modern history. We hear of its mythical past as well as its topography and archaeology. After the coming of St. Patrick and the conversion of the Gaelic chieftains, the archaeology is of ancient round towers, chapels, churches and monasteries including ancient Abbey at Fahan. The Viking and English invasions are chronicles as well as the final dismantling of Gaelic Ireland. Harkin describes the demand for tenants' rights and the abolition of tithes. To this story he adds descriptions of each parish. To this he adds colourful stories of rebels, murders, legends and folklore, along with superstitions which once abounded about them.

This edition presents the opening chapters of 'Inishowen, Its History, Traditions and Antiquities', first published by Michael Harkin in 1867 under the pen name of 'Maghtochair'. The book sweeps through Inishowen's ancient, medieval and modern history. We hear of its mythical past - the Tuatha De Danaan, the Milesians and the story of Niall of the Nine Hostages from whom it is claimed the O'Neill dynasty and St. Columbkille were descended. Accounts are given of the Viking raids, the arrival of Strongbow and the final dismantling of Gaelic Ireland, with the defeat of the great Ulster Chieftains, the O'Neills and O'Donnells, at the Battle of Kinsale in 1607. As well as the history and topography of Inishowen, we learn of its archaeology. The cairns, burial sites, standing stones, druidic temples and forts conjure up its pre-Christian era. After the coming of St. Patrick the archaeology is of ancient round towers, chapels, churches and monasteries, including the ancient Abbey at Fahan.

"This work represents the largest compilation of Irish family names and Irish coats-of-arms ever bound together under one cover."--Jacket.

When a skeleton is discovered, wrapped in a blanket, in the hidden crypt of a deconsecrated church, everyone is convinced the bones must be those of Conor Devitt, a local man who went missing on his wedding day six years previously. But the post mortem reveals otherwise. Solicitor Benedicta 'Ben' O'Keeffe is acting for the owners of the church, and although an unwelcome face from her past makes her reluctant to get involved initially, when Conor's brother dies in strange circumstances shortly after coming to see her, she finds herself drawn in to the mystery. Whose is the skeleton in the crypt and how did it get there? Is Conor Devitt still alive, and if so is there a link? What happened on the morning of his wedding to make him disappear? Negotiating between the official investigation, headed up by the handsome but surly Sergeant Tom Molloy, and obstructive locals with secrets of their own, Ben unravels layers of personal and political history to get to the truth of what happened six years before.