Unsure future for parish annual

After nearly four and a half decades recording the stories of people, places and events in the area into an invaluable historical record, the future of the popular annual publication is now less certain than it has ever been over that period of time.

The publication of the ‘Newport News’ Parish Annual has been ongoing since the early 1980s and has become a much valued and widely read publication and formed into an archive of most interesting stories and pictures from the past.

The publication was founded by a small group of dedicated people within the parish or with parish connections of one kind or other who were very committed to the work which has left a very valuable legacy of material for future generations.

Much of this material may have been lost without the foresight and hard work of these founders to which the community are indebted.

The decades have taken a natural toll on the team to continue this work each year. Many of the founders are no longer with us and having to commit to carry an increased workload due to the decline of numbers involved.

A recent review of the situation by the production committee revealed a very uncertain future without more volunteers to lend a hand.

“To secure the future, there is need for about eight to 10 volunteers to share the work and lighten the task of collecting and editing the material. Times have changed a lot and computer skills are now an essential skill. There is also need for a few people with advanced desktop publishing skills to meet present printing requirements,” a spokesperson for the committee said.

“We are appealing to the community for some volunteers to share the work and ensure the continuation of the publication into the future,” they added.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

To register interest or get more details, contact newportnewsbook@gmail.com.

In the early 1980s when the publication was launched and went on to receive a national award as one of the best in the country, (with a prize of a trip for two to the United States), it comprised about 50 pages of editorial and pictures, printed in black and white, plus a small number of pages containing advertisements for local businesses and sold for one pound, equivalent to €1.27.

When the economic recession hit the country in 2008, it was decided to discontinue soliciting advertisements from local businesses in consideration of their tighter margins.

Over the years the size of the annual publication increased to three to four times the original. Within the past decade some colour was introduced for the first time and last year the book was produced in full colour for the first time.There have been several notable issues over the decades. In 1994 the cover picture was that of the oldest and youngest parishioners, Mrs Mary Griffin, who had just celebrated her 100th birthday and 11-days-old, Marie Ann O'Sullivan, Lackamore, featured on the cover.

Mrs Griffin was the first parishioner in living memory to reach 100 years. Born in the USA of Irish parents who returned to Ireland when she was four years, she was both an Irish and US citizen. Most Rev Dr Dermot Clifford, Archbishop was chief celebrant at her concelebrated Mass at Newport.

The 2024 issue comprised of a collection of real life experiences of living through Covid-19, the worst worldwide pandemic for more than a century resulting in millions of deaths worldwide.

This is a very valuable publication for the archives and will become more sought after in decades to come. A few copies are still available. For details, contact newportnewsbook@gmail.com.