'Finding Ogle' Book Launch



From left to right: Aileen O'Dowd, Mary Healy-Walshe, David Broderick, Clare Lowery, Frances Robinson, Donal Burke

Last night saw the packed launch of the first ever book dedicated to a chapter of Portumna Workhouse history. Finding Ogle: The mystery of the Disappearing Master solves a century old mystery and is the debut book of Local Historian David Broderick.



"In 1865 the Master of Portumna Workhouse, Henry Ogle, absconded under a shroud of mystery. It took over 150 years to finally find Ogle. Follow this fascinating story between Ogle and his nemesis, a determined missionary priest, Fr. Patrick Donnellan. The story begins in famine ravaged Ireland, explores the cruelty of the workhouse and crosses the Atlantic into the American Civil War."


Original Illustration by Jenny Wood-Sullivan

David became fascinated with the mystery of Henry Ogle while he was a researcher at the Irish Workhouse Centre but it has been a long road to the book launch last night. To solve the mystery has required countless hours of searching old newspapers and maps, tramps through muddy fields and even a trip to New York. Fellow detective has been archivist and genealogist Clare Lowery who assisted David with the seemingly impossible task of unraveling the Ogle family tree.



Finding Ogle will appeal to historians, lovers of mystery and anyone who likes a gripping tale. The life and crimes of Henry Ogle is an almost unbelievable tale of fraud, deceit, escape to New York and twelfth hour retribution. This is a case where fact is more fascinating than fiction and David's meticulous research is brought to life by a rich array of images.




Jenny-Wood Sullivan is the illustrator of  Finding Ogle, and her evocative drawings transport us to the middle of the 19th century. It is always a challenge to depict figures from the past but the fluid and dynamic nature of Jenny's drawings convey a sense of immediacy and action to David's words. The book is currently on sale at The Irish Workhouse Centre and is 15 Euros.  

Author:Elizabeth Carter

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