The Windings of the Moy Revisited… About This Book

From 1916 to 1918, the original author of The Windings of the Moy, Rev. James Greer, navigated his way up-river towards ‘these inner reaches of the Moy’. This book by photographer, Pat McCarrick stems from his experiences of the early stages of the river. These photographic ‘windings’ along the Moy follow it from source to sea.

This is principally a book of photographs; inspired and carried along by Greer’s original text. The original book contained only a few images, this book contains many images and just selected excerpts from Greer.

The author’s photography is the principal influence in this book. Having the Ox Mountains and the source of the river at his back door, engendered a certain pride of place and urged him to create this photographic record while at the same time commemorating and respecting the original Windings of the Moy.

“I would like this book to achieve a few things. Of course, I would like it to commemorate the original 1927 publication. In addition, I would like to show the changes that have taken place along the banks of the river since then. Excerpts from the original text appear alongside recent photographs. Greer’s descriptions, in some instances, still remain remarkably accurate. I hope the introduction of photographic images to this great story will in some way reawaken Greer’s original work.”

Pat McCarrick, Photographer

“The original Windings of the Moy is one of the most renowned and best-loved local publications of the twentieth century and Pat McCarrick, with this reworking of an old classic, has delivered a masterpiece for the 21st century. Pat takes readers on a wonderfully evocative voyage along the timeless River Moy and his engaging and informative use of Greer’s prose is complemented by a truly magnificent collection of photographs. 

This is a book that deserves to take pride of place in every home across the West of Ireland and further afield, and I have no doubt it will be a real collector's item in years to come - as, indeed, the first edition of The Windings of the Moy has become.” 

-         James Laffey, Editor, Western People