The Tempest publishers of Dundalk has been established since 1859, publishing
directories of the town, surrounding areas and the county of Louth since 1861.
This book was a special edition of their annual directory, to celebrate 50 years
of their operation, and consequently it includes a great deal of additional
information in 258 pages. Most importantly it includes a 50-year retrospective
of Dundalk with 15 articles on that topic, covering issues as diverse as
religion, education, sport, railways and what the town might look like in 1959!
This is followed by biographies of 124 prominent people from the town and
surrounding areas, and portraits are included for 106 of them. The book includes
a full business and establishment directory for County Louth and Dundalk town,
as well as Ardee, Ballybay, Blackrock, Carlingford, Carrickmacross,
Castlebellingham, Collon, Castleblayney, Drogheda, Dunleer, Greenore, Newry and
Warrenpoint. It is especially detailed for Dundalk itself, and provides
histories and descriptions of that town and the county in general. There is a
wealth of statistical information, and the directory lists over 2,000 people.
The book also includes 37 full-page plates of illustrations. Many of these are
rare or unpublished elsewhere.
In short this is an essential resource for those studying Dundalk and Louth
and its people.
