Longford artist to feature on BBC One's The Repair Shop this week

A Longford woman is set to appear on the hit BBC One show 'The Repair Shop' this Wednesday 25 September.

'The Repair Shop' is a hugely popular show on BBC One wherein some of Britain's most skilled restoration experts breathe new life into cherished family heirlooms that are volunteered by members of the public. Many of the beloved items people offer up to the restoration crew come with deeply personal and fascinating stories behind them. 

Amanda Jane Graham, a local artist based in Longford, will feature on an episode of the show on Wednesday night where the experts will attempt to faithfully restore a doll's pram belonging to her grandmother. 

Amanda says that a significant aspect of her work as an artist involves telling the story of her grandmother's life and her doll's pram. She said: "It is a true and remarkable story of ordinary people being extraordinary." 

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Regarding the doll's pram, 'The Repair Shop' said: "Behind this unassuming toy that once belonged to her grandmother is a story of subterfuge worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster."

The pram, which over the years was left bent and immobile, once belonged to Amanda Jane's grandmother Mary who was born in Butte, Montana in the US. Both of Mary's parents had emigrated to Butte to find work when employment was scarce in rural Ireland. During the 1916 Easter Rising, Mary's parents wanted to help fund the rebellion and so $3,000 was smuggled in her pram inside its mattress.

Now, Amanda Jane hopes that the restoration experts can restore the treasured family heirloom back to its former glory. 

You can catch this episode of 'The Repair Shop' on BBC One on Wednesday night, September 25 at 8pm.