Successful Launch of Killeagh Book.

The Community hall in Killeagh provided an ideal setting for the launch of “Killeagh Parish Through the Ages” on Friday 18th November 2011.

Amidst a packed audience numbering over 250 people David Kelly, engineer and historian, in the opening speech spoke of the monumental work the book presented and was sure the extensive family genealogies outlined would stir everyone’s appetite to read it. He formally announced the book launched and was presented with a copy by Anne O’Neill, Chairman of the Killeagh/Inch Historical Group. David Kelly, also a contributor to the book, wrote an interesting chapter on the architecture of St John the Baptist Parish Church in which honour the book was written.

Other speakers included John Hogan - National President of Muintir na Tire
Fr. Broderick of Killeagh, Brinsley McDonnell - Chairman of the Killeagh/Inch Community Council and Nuala O’Connell of SECAD.

John Hogan stressed the importance of recording histories, old names and places which were frequently lost in the passage of time. He also dwelled on the increase in crime and made a plea for the maintenance of rural services such as Garda stations to combat this increase. Father Broderick PP in his address referred to the time when there were 9 weddings in the parish on one Shrove Tuesday. No weddings were allowed in Lent so you got a lot on the day before Lent started. He also stressed the recoding of history to preserve the Irish language and mentioned how grateful he was that Father Power 150 years ago, when St John the Baptist was first built, wrote a book of sermons,Teagasc ar an Sean-Tiomma, in the Irish language. The last talker was Nuala O’Connell who said that SECAD was committed to helping community based projects and wished the historical committee every success with the sales of the book. Paudie Lee, Secretary presented her with a copy.

Over tea and refreshments the Killeagh/Inch Historical Group showed extracts of the book on a slide projector set up by Paudi Lee whilst Bernadette Buckley Twomey showed her musical skills by playing delightful background music on the piano.

Other guests present included Sanda McLellan, TD, David Stanton, TD, Edward Wallace, Chairman of the Cork Genealogical Society, Mrs O’Brien, a prominent senior citizen who was also presented with a book, Seamus Forde of Muintir na Tirea and Dr Kieran Groeger, retired Principal of Youghal CBC.

Also present were members of local Historical Societies, neighbouring Community Councils and local clubs.

The evening ended off with presentations to Anne O’Neill and Paudi Lee in recognition of the contribution they made in writing and researching the book and finally Finbarr Motherway, The Master of Ceremonies, closed the evening.

The Historical Group would like to thank all the people who submitted photographs, records and their family memories both past and present. Without them the book would not have been a success. A big thank you.

Copies of the book will be available from shops in Killeagh and Youghal or can also be purchased by phoning Sean Mc Carthy (02495257) or Neville Dent (0857184892)

For further information, please contact:

Neville Dent

Mob. No.: 0857184892

e-mail: nevdent@eircom.net

Sean McCarthy

Landline: 024- 95257

Owners of Hisroric houses in Killeagh Lto R. Lucy & James Perrot of Ballyre with Steven & Eileen Ottman of Castletown

Mrs O'Brien being presented with a book by Denise Geary

LtoR. Finbarr Motherway, Sandra McLellan -TD, Sean McCarthy

L to R. Paudie Lee, Finbarr Motherway, David Kelly B.E, C.Eng.F.I.E.I., Brinsley McDonnell, Anne O'Neill showing off the book

David Stanton, TD, Anne O'Neill Chairman of the killeagh Inch HistoricaL Group, John Logan, Finbarr Motherway,Nuala O'Connell and Dr Kieran Groeger