A Chairde,

The Friends of County Leitrim Committee is pleased to announce the publication of a revealing new book on the Great Famine in Leitrim:

‘The Dead Buried by the Dying’ The Great Famine in Leitrim (Merrion Press) by Dr. Gerard MacAtasney.

On Sunday September 7th, the book will be launched by Dr. Maureen Murphy of Hofstra University at The Manhattan Room located at Rosie O’Grady’s 800 7th Avenue, second floor. The event will commence at 5 pm and will conclude at 9 pm. A light buffet will be served and the committee respectfully request that anyone attending call 917-751-8154 or 914-693-8888 in advance to facilitate the food service. Professor Murphy was the Director of the Great Irish Famine Curriculum Project for the New York State Department of Education.

Dr. Gerard MacAtasney is the acclaimed author of Sean Mac Diarmada: Mind of the Revolution (2004), The Other Famine – The 1822 Crisis in County Leitrim (2010), Tom Clarke: Life, Liberty, Revolution (2012), and The Plantation of Leitrim, 1585 to 1670 (2013). MacAtasney’s new work brings previously untapped information into the public domain through exhaustive research in official government papers, parish registers and estate records. The book depicts the impact of the famine throughout the county as thousands starved to death. As comprehensive as they are compelling, MacAtasney’s findings are contained within the most detailed account of the famine at local level yet to be written. Dr. Gerard MacAtasney will speak about the famine in Leitrim and will be available to answer questions and sign books.

Dr. Gerard MacAtasney will feature at a number of other events in the Tri-State area over the same weekend:

On Saturday September 6th the book will be launched in Connecticut. The event will take place in The Playwright Irish Pub and Restaurant, 1232 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Conn 06517. Tel: 203 287 2401. The event will commence at 7pm and will conclude at 10pm. Dr. MacAtasney will be available to sign books at this event. The Playwright Pub is renowned in Connecticut for his good food and high quality beverages.

On Monday September 8th Dr. Gerard MacAtasney will speak about the famine in Leitrim at the Rambling House, 4292 Katonah Avenue, Bronx, NY between 7pm and 10pm. He will also speak about Sean MacDiarmada and Thomas Clarke. Books will be available for purchase at this event.

On Saturday September 6th, The Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee and Our Lady of Knock Division #9 LAOH will hold their annual Irish Heritage Trail and Irish Patriots Day at Greenwood Cemetery following 12 o’clock mass in Greenwood’s chapel. The Minerva on Battle Hill in Greenwood cemetery was donated by Leitrim native Charles Higgins to commemorate the Battle of Brooklyn. Dr. Gerard MacAtasney will give a brief oration at the Higgins Mausoleum. For information on this event call (718) 499 9482 or visit www.brooklynpatricksparade.com

The book makes an ideal gift for people with Leitrim connections as well as for the history enthusiast. Donations towards defraying the cost of the launch will be gratefully accepted by the committee. Checks should be made payable to Gerard MacAtasney.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Committee: Joe McManus, Bernadette Dunleavy, Thomas Maguire, Anthony Flynn, Cathy Mitchell Miceli.