Posted online: Jul 29th, 2009

“I’ve been at many a book launch in my time but I must say this is the first time I’ve been at one where the book was blessed. A nice touch indeed,” remarked Gay Byrne as he launched the 600 page book ‘The Story of the Cope’ in Dungloe on Saturday.

The book is the work of Burtonport native Patrick Bonner who spent days, months and years compiling the huge volume that contains many, many interesting photographs going back to the founding of the Cope in 1906 and even more stories and historical facts.

The Chairman of the Cope Mr Pat Dunleavy jokingly suggested the book should carry a health warning as it weighs nearly 2 kg. He paid tribute to Patrick Bonner for his excellent and tireless work and all those who provided him with stories and photographs. He also welcomed the special guest Gay Byrne who had come to launch the book and suggested that after all his years coming to Dungloe he should now be considered a free man of the Rosses capital.

The author himself spoke of the many people he visited and all who helped him through the project be it with stories, paper cuttings, photographs or old documents that all added to the telling of the story of the Cope. He mentioned in particular his late uncle Pádraig Ó Cnaimsí of Meenmore whose writings about the history of the area form part of the book. He paid tribute to everyone who made the book possible.

Mark Sharkey, Managing Director of the Cope and MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher also added words of congratulations to the author, as did Peter Boyle who acted as m.c. for the occasion.

Gay Byrne said he was very happy indeed to be in Dungloe to launch this terribly important story not just about the Cope movement but about the entire area. “Major work was involved in compiling it and great tribute must go to the author. The book is now blessed but it would be a bigger blessing for you all if there was one for everyone in the audience,” he joked.

Gay revealed that he has been coming to Dungloe for forty-five years now and said the family has always had warmth, friendliness and hospitality from the people in all those years.

The book, priced at €24.99, can be bought in most good bookshops and in all branches of the Cope.

Reporter: Eoin McGarvey