Longford Leader Columnist Mattie Fox: Fireside Tales - there’s more to life than simply living

Jude Flynn is what’s well regarded as a recognisable presence around Longford county.

I haven’t met a Longford person yet, who doesn’t know Jude Flynn.

A historian, a member of the historical society, an acknowledged author, he launched his latest periodical, Fireside Tales on Thursday night last.

I noted his writing stated that this was the second last fireside tales to be published.

The sixteenth publication of Fireside Tales serves to remind any and every reader that there’s more to life than simply living.

With great tenderness and care, Jude has compiled a book to be really proud of, recording as it does wonderful, true stories about life in Longford, and further afield involving Longfordians over a long, long period of time.

Stories from Tom O’Reilly, Park Place, Colehill who starts the hook with the line “I was born in Little Water Street on August 1, 1926.

All of 23 years before I myself came into the world.

Followed by one from someone my father spoke of, Mary Reilly, Back of the Hill, Smear, Aughnacliffe. The story is called The Colmcille Diary, about The Christmas Season in December 1950. An interesting and compelling read.

A lovely story by Canon Albert Kingston, of Ballymahon, who retired in 2016 after 40 years ministering to his flock. The story closes by rightly expressing gratitude to the farming community and the countryside in general, for the survival of parishes and their churches.

Many more stories adorn the book, which should sell well and anyone who is interested in past times in Longford should make it their business to acquire a copy.