PICTURES | Longford’s Ancient Ways celebrated in beautiful new book

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Ann Gerety Smyth and Annette Cookery launched their book ‘Longford’s Ancient Ways’ at the Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre on Tuesday, November 7.

Ann and Annette told the Leader that the book is a ‘celebration of Longford's Ancient Ways. “It is a mix of folklore, plantlore, story, art and photography. The book includes the four main festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lunasa and we've included photographs taken all over the county and beyond, legends that involve Longford, stories and art inspired by Longford.” READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Ann and Annette stated that the book aims to inspire people from, living in, and gone from Longford to delve deeper into the heritage of the county and be inspired to explore and create from that experience.

The two authors added that they firmly believe ‘’that if you have a deep love and belonging to a place you will protect it which is extremely important in this current devastating worldwide biodiversity crisis’’.

Ann and Annette told the Leader that the launch was ‘very well attended. “We had a lovely night. Our good friend Pat Kelleher launched it for us. We both read from the book and everyone had a nice chat over tea and mince pies.”

The book is on sale in schools that they visit as ‘Heritage in Schools Experts’ and in the Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre.

The authors added that as they tend to have a busy schedule in schools it is best to contact them before coming to the centre by phone Ann 086 171 8925 or Annette 086 302 7602 or email scealtabeo@gmail.com.

The books will also be on sale in the Temperance Hall on Thursday, November 16 at the Community Wetlands Forum Inspiring Community Tourism Experience Workshop. They are also arranging dates with the Maria Edgeworth Centre and Knights and Conquests Centre and have already been to Corlea Trackway with the books. The books may also be sold at various craft fairs.