A short story written by Líle Ní Annracháin Frost, a resident ofClondalkin was shortlisted from almost 500 stories from around Ireland and was published in the Stories from the Waterside book during Heritage Week. Recently FOTC (Friends of the Camac) and Thomas Carolan, Community Water Officer with LAWPRO (the Local Authority Waters Programme) gathered to present Líle with a copy of the new publication featuring her story.
Several members of FOTC, a community group that works to protect and enhance the River Camac also entered stories to the competition. In recognition of the water-related stories inspired by this competition, and to coincide with Water Heritage Day (the last Day of Heritage Week) FOTC based their quarterly newsletter around these stories featuring excerpts from each of the stories. The competition ran in April and May during the COVID-19 lockdown. It focused on collecting stories based on people’s memories and reflections around their local river, lake, wetland or coastal area. Over 500 entries were received from across the Island of Ireland in both English and Irish, and there was also an Under 18 category. The competition was organised by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) in partnership with The Heritage Council and the Heritage Officers Programme, Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland. The shortlisted and winning stories were published in Stories from the Waterside, making ita unique collection of personal stories connected with Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries and beaches.
Thomas Carolan, Community Water Officer said, “It’s great to have a South Dublin resident shortlisted and for their story to be included in the final publication. LAWPRO and the partner organisations were delighted that Stories from the Waterside captured the imagination of both young and old during lockdown. It gave people a chance to reflect on and document their individual connections with water and wildlife.
The story by Líle Ní Annracháin Frost entitled “Móinéar na hAbhann” focused on the Galey River in County Kerry. Although the story was not about a river in South Dublin, it shows the close attachment people have with rivers, lakes and coastal waters even when they no longer live beside them.
There were however a number of entries to the competition inspired by local waterbodies in South Dublin particularly relating to the River Camac. Some of these stories submitted were from former Clondalkin residents Paul Nixon (USA) and Tom Boggins (New Zealand ) who no longer live in the vicinity of the Camac, which again reflects people’s lasting affinity with local waterways similar to how Líle’s story recalled her local river in Kerry.
Líle’s story beautifully illustrates growing up beside the River Galey in Kerry, and how it was central to her life and imagination – “ Bhí páirt lárnach ag an abhainn sin agus ar Dhroichead na hAbhann i mo shaoI agus i mo shamhlaíocht agus mé ag fás aníos”. The Stories from the waterside publication was launched on Water Heritage Day, which took place on Sunday 23rd of August, at the end of National Heritage Week. It is also available to view and download at www.watersandcommunities.ie For further details see Facebook.com/LAWPROteam.
New volunteers are always welcome to join, the October Cleanup day will be held on Saturday 3rd October. Meeting at the Clondalkin Leisure Centre Car park at 10.00am.
Pictured Main Image: Líle Ní Annracháin Frost picture with from left; Tommy Keogh, Chairman FOTC and Thomas Carolan, Community Water Officer, LAWPRO. Pic Credit: Paddy Barrett.
