PICTURES | New book by Longford pupils launched to much acclaim in Edgeworthstown

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Usually book launches are reserved for established or emerging writers but Tuesday evening, November 28 in Edgeworthstown Community Library was something special.

It was the launch of a book written by ten pupils - Daire McLoughlin, Elizabete Bolmane, Chloe Cubbon, Culann Fitzgerald, Oliwia Zygmuntowciz, Leo Kelly, Patricija Zeikmane, Keava Whelan, Roberts Brizga and Deividas Jasiunas - from St Mary’s National School, Edgeworthstown. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

CAPTION: Writers: Daire McLoughlin, Elizabete Bolmane, Chloe Cubbon, Culann Fitzgerald, Oliwia Zygmuntowciz, Leo Kelly, Patricija Zeikmane, Keava Whelan, Roberts Brizga and Deividas Jasiunas. Angela Tuite, Colm Murray, Matt Farrell, Martina Needham, Chris Thompson and Aron Fitzpatrick Picture: Shelley Corcoran

The book was the outcome of a project run by the very active Edgeworth Society, at The Maria Edgeworth Centre in Edgeworthstown.

As part of its annual festival it issued the challenge to the children to write a story worthy of being published in hardback form. This they did and the results were to be seen on Tuesday evening last when our County Librarian Martina Needham officially launched the book. 

To a packed audience, the welcome address was given by Cathaoirleach of Longford Council Colm Murray. He opened by welcoming everyone and fellow members, Councillors Paul Ross and Mick Cahill to this very special occasion. 

Cllr Murray expressed his delight in being invited to speak at this special occasion and was full of praise for the work of the ten young pupils. He also thanked the Edgeworth Society for their tireless work in promoting the rich literary heritage of the town. He concluded by wishing all the writers all the best in their future endeavours and hope someday in the near future he would be back to launch a bestseller.

Matt Farrell, of the Edgeworth Society then spoke of the work of the Society and the legacy of its work in the town. He described how the town and the county has an International reputation as being ‘The County of Great Writers’ from Oliver Goldsmith, Padraic Colum, Vona Groarke, Belinda McKeon, John Connell and now these emerging young writers.  

He also said that the Society aims are to create legacy projects in the town, examples being the murals on the Granard Road and the Green and the Art installations at the Maria Edgeworth Centre and the Children’s Garden in the Green. 

Mr Farrell thanked the principal of St Mary’s, Alan Conroy, for giving time in a busy schedule to participate in the project. He also thanked all the committee members, without whom these projects would not take place. He thanked the teacher Aron Fitzpatrick for his dedication to the pupils and for his full participation in the project. He also thanked Chris Thompson for guiding the children through the writing process and for editing the book. 

Finally, he thanked Martina Needham and the staff at Creative Longford for their support, again without this support this project could not have proceeded. He also thanked Elizabeth Fitzsimons and Eamonn Brennan for proof reading the book.

Matt then welcomed Aron Fitzpatrick to say a few words. Aron opened his address by speaking of the living culture present in such a book, about the legacy it leaves for the next generation. How in years to come children will find their parent’s name, or see a picture of them, and this will inspire questions, conversations, and the relaying of wonderful memories. 

He went on to say, the pupils involved in this book will get to share this with their parents, their family, and their friends, and in time, they will get to share it with their children. 

Aron said ‘En Passant’ will become a cherished possession in their lives. He thanked the members of the Society and all involved in the project. He said that, when he was told the book would be published, he thought it would be photocopied in a spiral binder, not in a high quality hardback edition. He also had a surprise for the pupils, he had given the book to a well-known publisher Deirdre Whelan to review, the review said, “I read the novella written by your class on the way home on the DART. What a talented, creative bunch you teach. In fact, their story was far better than Maria Edgeworth’s! Keep up the great work”

The editor Chris Thompson who has many years’ experience in inspiring creativity within children spoke of the pleasure it was in working with such an enthusiastic group of children. She congratulated the children on the outcome of their hard work and thanked the Society for the creativeness of their project selection.

Then came the highlight of the evening, the official launch of ‘En Passant,’ Martina Needham, County Librarian said it was a great pleasure to be invited to launch such a unique book. Not alone was it a beautiful publication but it was a wonderful story written by such young minds, only twelve years of age. 

She was genuinely taken aback by the content of the story and how it was all linked together using terms from the game of chess, from the title ‘’En Passant to each chapter ‘First Moves,’ ‘Gambit,’ ‘Counter Gambit,’ ‘Queen’s Gambit’ and closing with ‘End Game.’ 

Martina thanked all those who made this special project a reality, she was overwhelming in her praise for the children and she felt in no doubt that someday, in the near future, she would be attending the launch of a best seller by some if not all of these children. Martina also spoke of the work of Creative Longford and the wonderful outcomes from projects throughout the county and, as County Librarian she was so delighted to launch this wonderful book, she said it was projects like this that Creative Ireland was established to support.

The novella is published alongside one of Maria Edgeworth’s most popular short stories ‘The Purple Jar.’ 

In publishing her stories, she insisted that they be published in a size and format that children could hold and easily read, the society remained faithful to this tradition when publishing ‘En Passant,’ working with Edel Fallon, of Bottlegreen Design, they came up with a beautiful finished product and the book, published in a limited edition will become a collector’s item. 

The book is available to purchase from The Maria Edgeworth Centre or A & N Gift Store on the Main Street. Enquiries on the book can be got from 043 6671801 or 0872241351 or by emailing info@mariaedgeworthcentre.com

Thanks were expressed to Eimer and her very helpful staff at the local library.