Libraries of two noted local historians for auction next week

Collections of Margaret Conway and Jim Gammons to be sold

The private libraries of two local historians and writers– the late Jim Gammons of Virginia and the late renowned Margaret Conway from Kildalkey will go for auction on Monday next.

Oliver Usher of Kells is offering both collections in an online auction starting at 11am.

The lots feature an extensive collection of literature including maps, art, travel, gardening, cookery, rail, aviation, music, literature, poetry, ornithology, trees and botany and Irish language.

There are rare and collectable editions by Mary Lavin, Seamus Heaney, Thomas Kinsella, Derbhla Murphy, Thomas Pakenham, Wendy Walsh, Cuala Press, Dolmen Press, Folio Society, Brian O'Higgins and many more cased and rare editions.

Among the offering is 'The Playboy of the Western World' by JM Synge with signed brush drawings by Louis le Brocquy.

There is also a hand-bound full grain calf leather limited edition of The Queen Mary Atlas.

Margaret Conway was a respected local historian and public figure. She was a member of the Gaelic League and a spokesperson for the Vocational Educational Committee.

She was a founder member of the Meath Archaeological Society and author of 'Meath: Towards a History'. Her collection contains an extensive range of rare Irish language literature volumes and educational and historical books.

Jim Gammons was born in March 1930 in Ladyrath, Wilkinstown. He attended St Finian's College, Mullingar and University College Dublin, graduating in 1952 as a civil engineer. He was involved in the Rathkenny Revels, musicals, operas, various local drama groups, and writing groups. He had a passion for Meath football, travelling with the victorious Meath football team of 1967 on their 1968 Australian tour and relished the glorious Meath All Ireland days of the 1980s.

When he retired, he wrote numerous books, such as, 'Virginia - Then and Now' and 'Murder in Croke Park'. Jim Gammon's books include 'Meath of The Pastures’, the collected verse of his father, Phil Gammons.

Viewing times in Eureka House, Kells, are on Thursday and Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday from 12 noon to 5pm and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.