Michael Harkin
By Mrs Peggy Simpson and F. Convery

Michael Harkin was born 19th March, 1830, at Teirnaleague, about one mile north-west of Carndonagh, in the parish of Donagh.

Under the nom-de-plume of "Maghtochair," Michael Harkin wrote a series of papers on the history and antiquities of Inis-Owen, that first appeared in the columns of the Derry Journal. These he afterwards collected, revised, and published in book-form under the title "Inis-Owen, its History, Traditions, and Antiquities," by Maghtochair. When it was first published in 1867, ancient customs and traditions were dying in Inishowen as English began to oust the native tongue. The author was keenly aware of the changes taking place under his eyes, and he determined to record and thus rescue from oblivion, legends and traditions which were fast disappearing.

In his early life he taught in Glassalts National School. Later he took up duty in a workhouse school in Offaly, where his salary was £20 per year. It was while working here that he met his future wife Sara Hazlett, who was a Quaker. Shortly after his marriage he returned to Carndonagh with his Quaker bride, They lived in Chapel Street. He started writing articles for the Derry Journal on local history. A very thorough man he went to endless trouble in preparing his work. He gathered a lot of information from the leading seanachies of Inishowen. He travelled around on a Jaunting car and was a familiar figure in the remote parts of the peninsula. Being found of reading he usually carried books of prose and poetry on his journeys. He was also Postmaster in Carndonagh. The post office was then in Chapel St. He played an active part in the management of the Loan Fund. It is a pity that he did not continue writing. He died in early May 1898.

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