This photograph of Carrabrowne National School was taken in 1936 and shows, back row, left to right; Pete Keane, Carrabrowne; Jimmy O’Brien, Kiloughter; Davey Corcoran, Carrabrowne; Willie Glynn, Kiloughter; Francis Corcoran, Carrabrowne; Stephen O’Brien,Carrabrowne; Mattie Casserley, Kiloughter; Willie Higgins, Ballindooley; Stephen O’Brien, Kiloughter; Mickey McGrath, Ballindooley; Tom Costelloe, Kiloughter; Stephen Birmingham, Kiloughter.

Third row; Maureen Birmingham, Carrabrowne; Maggie Hogan, Ballindooley; Mary O’Brien, Kiloughter; Annie Costelloe, Kiloughter; Mary Feeney, Curraghmore; Annie McDermott, Carrabrowne; Nellie Birmingham, Carrabrowne; Mary Diviney, Kiloughter; Mike Cody, Kiloughter; Tom Cody, Kiloughter; Willy and Paddy Keane (twins) Carrabrowne; Lawrence Cody, Kiloughter.

Second row; Mary Maloney, Angliham; Bridie Maloney, Angliham; Nellie Fallon, Ballindooley; Nora Crowe, Ballindooley; Margaret O’Brien, Carrabrowne; Bridget Birmingham, Carrabrowne; Mary Hogan, Ballindooley; Kitty Small, Kiloughter; Nicholas Diviney; Willy Feeney; Nicholas Hogan; Michael Fallon; Michael O’Brien.

In front are Julia Birmingham; Kay Feeney; Sally O’Brien; Peggy Birmingham, Bridgie Diviney; Sheila Keane; Tom Keane; Joe McGrath, Michael Costelloe; Paddy Connell; Willy Costelloe; Mike Feeney; Padraic Small; Joe Connell; Malachy Hogan; Mickey Maloney.

This is one of the illustrations in a new book which will be launched tomorrow evening, the 8th of August at 7.30pm in the Menlo Park Hotel. It is written by John Connell who has lived in Kiloughter since the 8th of August, 1927. the title is “Kiloughter of my Youth, Eighteen thatched houses and Stories from the Past”. It is a collection of memories of growing up in the 1930’s, of stories he heard at his grandfather’s knee. You will meet some of the characters from his village and read of incidents from his schooldays,about pastimes, the meitheal, making the churn, thatching, matchmaking, beliefs and superstitions, the tinsmith’s visit, the American Wake etc.

This delightful collection is full of nostalgia is well illustrated and retails at 12 euro, available in good bookshops. It is a follow up to his first book which was titled “My Life and Times, Two Songs and a Prayer” which outlined events in his family and other stories from his childhood. Recommended.

Finally, An Taisce have been in touch to say that their event of August 10th has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond their control.