Maura Garvey, Corcreagh, has just published a little book of her own family Memories, and she presented a copy to Corduff Raferagh Heritage Group after the Heritage Week Ramble on Thursday evening last.
This really is a beautiful publication and a wonderful achievement by Maura. We all have plenty of memories of growing up and often share stories, but to write them down and preserve the stories and family genealogy for future generations is a wonderful thing to do. As Maura says herself in the book “the reason I’m compiling and writing this story is that the next generation – my sons, daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren and future generations to come, will know a sense of belonging and their heritage.”
Not only did Maura write the book, she included some beautiful photos of flowers from her garden, but more importantly the painting on the cover of the booklet is of Maura’s grandmothers home, and Maura painted this scene herself, it really is beautiful.
From cover to cover it is a labour of love and a treasure trove not only for the Garvey and Richards families, but also for the wider community. In fact, it could be the story of any of our families, much of it is familiar and wonderfully nostalgic. The book is dedicated to Maura’s grandmother Katie Richards, a powerhouse of a matriarch who lost her husband when he was just 43 years of age, leaving a young family behind in a time when support systems didn’t really exist.
Congratulations and well done to Maura on this beautiful publication. I hope it encourages others to do something similar.
To purchase a copy phone Maura on 086 3321561, the book costs €10.
