The 19th century writer Caesar Otway wrote 'Sketches of Erris and Tyrawley' a sometimes amusing and always interesting account of life in North Mayo just prior to the devastating Irish Famine of 1845 - 47.
Do Bhreathnuib in Ibh Amhalghaidh mec Fiachrach tract commonly referred to as The Welshmen of Tirawley, preserves tradition concerning the settlement of Glen Nephin by William Mor na Maighne Barrett (fl. 1267), and a gruesome account of a long conflict between the Bourkes, the Barretts, and tenants of the latter clan, the Lynnots.