Borrisoleigh footage is ‘pure gold’

A great night was held in Borrisoleigh on Friday night last when the local historical society put on a show that will be remembered for many a night to come.

Proceedings got underway in the Sacred Heart Church when Fr Gerry Hennessy officially blessed the world renowned St Cualan’s Bell. Instrumental in the return of the bell shrine from London to the Sacred Heart Church in 1994 was Borrisoleigh native Joe Small, who was the Irish Ambassador to Britain at the time, and last Friday evening marked the first official blessing of the bell shrine since its return.

The large crowd assembled, then made their way to the GAA complex where Jamie Groome gave an outstanding talk on the history of the bell shrine. But the night didn’t finish there.

Over the last 12 months, Borrisoleigh Historical Society has conducted an amount of active research on a very important project in the village. They have recorded the memories of 20 keynote speakers who have given magnificent accounts of their time growing up in and around the famous old village.

The footage can only be described as ‘pure gold’ and will serve as a great point of research in the years ahead. It should also prove as an inspiration to other towns and villages by way of recording our oral history.

The footage was officially launched by Joe Small, who said it was the “highlight of his life”. The society would like to thank everybody associated with this very special evening and note has been taken of all your contributions.

A limited number of the recordings are available on USB at just €50 and would make for a magnificent present, especially for someone living away from home. Please contact Marie Hackett on 086-3652525 if you are interested in a copy.