The theme of emigration has been covered numerous times in broad brushstrokes: in books, plays, television and radio. In Going Away we take a bird’s eye view of the local scene, those who went away and those who stayed at home. Here, we cover a small cross section of people from Ballaghaderreen and it’s hinterland who went away to work on land, on buildings,

in restaurants and B&Bs and to work as nannies, nurses, trainee teachers, proprietors of pubs, in banks and sundry offices. We include our local heroic missionaries, priests and nuns, who travelled the world. They tell a little of their lives and of the places where they worked. Others stayed at home to keep things ticking over, with help of letter exchanged regularly, generous financial remittances and a shared faith. The book includes many photographs in both categories.

Over the decades and in previous recessions and economic depressions, their sense of family and home and their generosity helped keep communities afloat. Do we now have the same sense of interdependence? Our book is called Going Away. We hope you enjoy it.

Thank you to all those who, by their co-operation in interviews and their lending of photographs, helped us in our venture.

Mary Gallagher and Margaret Garvey

For any enquiries please ring 094 9860121 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Copies available now €20.