Longford's Benny Reid recognised at university reception for 'Out On Our Own'

Following “house-full” launches in Longford and Cavan County Libraries as well as in Moyne Community School recently, Benny Reid’s new book, “Out on Our Own – a History of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne” was honoured at a reception in the Senate Chamber of the National University of Ireland, 49 Merrion Square on July 15.

Hosted by Chancellor Emeritus, Dr. Maurice Manning and presented by Longford’s own Stephen Collins, former Political Editor of the Irish Times, the event was attended by the author’s extended family members, Dublin based friends including Sports and Heritage Minister, Charlie McConnologue TD, NUI Senator Ronan Mullen and Irish Independent Editor, Fionnan Sheahan, whose family also hails from Longford.

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In his address to the large gathering, Dr. Manning recalled Benny Reid’s twenty year service to the University Senate and described how, as a nominee of successive governments, he had served under three of the University’s six Chancellors. Stephen Collins' address recalled his former Irish Times’ colleague, Frank McNally’s review of the book noting that it is: “..a 500 page epic… a meticulously researched labour of love” and said that the author had succeeded in covering a 6,000 year span from the dolmens of Aughnacliffe and Cuilcagh to the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the decades that followed.

Thanking all for attending on what was a quite wet evening, Benny Reid noted that his book, “Out on Our Own – a History of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne” is selling very well at home and abroad.

He thanked the several retailers across Counties Cavan, Leitrim and Longford who: are stocking his book in Moyne, Aughnacliffe, Granard, Drumlish, Lanesboro, Arva, Carrigallen,Ballinagh, Ballyjamesduff Museum, Cavan Genealogy Office, Chapter Restaurant as well as in several outlets in Longford town.

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He said that the book now has its own websites where it can be purchased online: www.outonourown.ie and buythebook.ie/outonourown. He thanked the book’s designer, Keith Millar and his printer, Charlie O’Rourke of CO’RPRINT, Earl St. Longford as well as the National University of Ireland Chancellor, Registrar and staff for making the premises available to him. Finally he reserved his final words for his family, his wife Catherine, their family – Trish, Liam, Ben, Shane and Kate and his grandsons, Peter and Isaac Reid who had managed the catering.