Report Paul Murphy
The precious very early editions of Riocht na Midhe, the journal of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society went under the hammer at a County Offaly auction recently. The auction took place at Purcell Auctioneers in Birr and nine issues of the very early editions of
Riocht na Midhe were listed under Lot No 158. Nine editions were listed and these included Volume 1 No 1 1955. There were also editions from 1958, 1973, 1974. Early editions had their front covers decorated with elaborate script and an illustration of the Lia Fail at Tara but a later edition carried a drawing of the front of Newgrange. The journals were sold for €140.
While the price did not match the amount paid for the first American edition of Patrick Kavanagh’s Tarry Flynn with Kavanagh’s affectionate dedication to Brendan Behan (€13,000), Julitta Clancy of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society said the historical journals were rare. The society reprinted the first five issues in a special volume some years ago.
