Book: 'In The Ould Ago - Illustrated Irish Folklore' by Johnny McKeagney
'In The Ould Ago' [Irish expression] meaning 'A Long Time Ago'
Brighid's Diary 'It's my favourite book of all time'
'I believe it should be compulsory viewing for all schools and universities in Ireland'
by Brighid McLaughlin on Johnny's life & times in her Sunday Independent column 22 August 2021
In The Ould Ago, meaning 'a long time ago', is a book of Illustrated Irish Folklore book by Johnny McKeagney. Comprising two hundred intricately hand-drawn illustrated pages of Irish traditions, crafts, history, emigration stories, countryside, wildlife, myths and customs it is all sewn together in a case-bound hardback A3 size cover.
A self-taught historian and artist, his prefaces are written by some heavy-hitting academics and historians. For forty years Johnny collected folklore by pen and tape recorder from counties straddling both sides of the border in Ireland. He details stories and events then sketches all the salient points with a fine nib so that readers of any age can easily visualise the topics.
In The Ould Ago has been selected for admission to many Ivy League university libraries, including Harvard, Notre Dame, UCLA and Boston College, as well as New York Public Libraries and Library of Congress in Washington. Johnny's illustrated and written collection is preserved in the Fermanagh museum while his recorded material is being digitised by the UCD Folklore Department for the National Irish Archive.
Sadly Johnny passed away on the 1st of December 2010, just 5 weeks after seeing his life's work published. Seeing his stories and illustrations published gave him tremendous happiness. His wife Teresa passed on the 1st of November 2018. May God rest their souls.
After the fifth reprint, In The Ould Ago hardback book (ISBN 978-0-9566976-0-8) is available here or as an eBook on amazon Kindle. Follow the story on Facebook.
Recent Media
Illustrated book capturing hundreds of personal histories is a must-have
IrishCentral.com 26 November 2021
As lockdown has kept people cooped up, a greater curiosity of their local area has taken root
Fermanagh Herald 28 November 2021
Fermanagh book enjoys a new reprint and interest
Impartial Reporter 4 December 2021
Fermanagh shopkeeper’s memory being kept alive by family’s reprint of his local history book
BelfastLive.co.uk 8 December 2021
New edition of illustrated book capturing essence of Ireland released
IrishPost.com on 18 January 2021
Johnny & Teresa McKeagney
Happily Received Books (Send a picture of you & your book, or where it sits in your house, to info@folklorebook.com)
Thanks to Kennys.ie 'In The Ould Ago' was selected for admision into many Ivy League university libraries
Johnny's granddaughter, Therese, views his book in the Boston College Library while studying in Boston
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The 5th Reprint of 'In The Ould Ago' Has Arrived
'In The Ould Ago - Illustrated Irish Folklore' eBook is now available on amazon Kindle
Paul Brady
"It's a beautiful work and full of amazing references that bring back memories from childhood visiting my relations in Irvinestown, Lisnaskea and Enniskillen. My only regret is that my mother was not alive to see it as she would have had loads of tales to tell, no doubt, as she turned the pages. I will treasure it and will undoubtedly go online and buy a few more for the extended family as gifts." Paul Brady
Christy Moore
"I am honoured to own such a wonderful record of life as it once was, much of it in my own living memory.
This is a very special publication.
It is wonderful that Johnny is receiving such richly deserved recognition.
It gives such a unique and priceless view of a world that has disappeared in our lifetime...contains valuable information that will be essential for what may lie ahead." Christy Moore
Chosen as his favourite book by Chairperson of the Education Authority
