Liz Murphy, pictured with executive librarian Maria Cunningham, returning a copy of The Quiet Man, which she found in her late parents' house. The book was due to be returned 71 years ago. *Photos: Mayo County Library/Facebook*

Overdue book returned to Mayo library after 105 years

Published: Thu 1 Oct 2026, 9:59 AM

MAYO County Library saw two late returns in recent days - one book which was 71 years overdue, while another should have been returned 105 years ago.

Thankfully, Mayo library service no longer imposes fines for missing your return date.

The copy of The Quiet Man by Patrick Purcell was returned last week by Liz Murphy.

The book, which Liz found in the home of her late parents, Billy and Annette Murphy, Castlebar, was only 71 years overdue.

Not like a copy of None Other Gods by Robert Hugh Benson, which arrived through the inter-library delivery system last week from Bundoran Library. It was originally from St. Brigid's Parish Library in Ballycastle, dated 1921, and was just 105 years overdue this time.

Two cases of better late than never, perhaps.