Pictures from the Past collected in Bellewstown
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Signing copies of ‘Bellewstown: Pictures from the Past’ is photographer John Bellew (Bellewstown Heritage Group) who lovingly restored the photographs in the book. Photo: Barry Cronin/www.barrycronin.com. Barry CroninImage 2 of 4
Ollie Hanratty studies ‘Bellewstown: Pictures from the Past’. Barry CroninImage 3 of 4
A visitor to the launch and exhibition reaches into the past with a photo of ‘Mary Kirwan, Mary Ludlow and baby Tony taken in the 1930s. Barry CroninImage 4 of 4
Patricia Collier from Fiveoaks, Jim Maguire (with a copy of the book) and Geraldine Maguire from Bellewstown. Barry CroninHeritage Week 2023 saw Bellewstown Heritage Group launch its newest publication, 'Bellewstown, Pictures from the Past'.
The heritage group holds a large number of photographs taken over the years from 1895 onwards, and local photographer John Bellew worked on the colllection to make sure they looked their best, assisted by Colin Byrne, chairperson of the Bellewstown Heritage Group.
In his introduction, Colin says: “The years slip by quickly and change happens almost without our realising that some things are gone for good. It takes a book like this to give us the opportunity to look back and gratefully remember people and events that were once a big part of our lives. Almost forgotten characters emerge out of the mists of time. Buildings, bull-dozed to make way for progress, re-appear. Memories of happy times long ago surface on the pages of this photographic book.”
He said that many people living today in Bellewstown would recognise grandparents, relatives and old friends and neighbours in the pages.
“People working around Bellewstown in the old days, on the Hilltown estate, as farmers, postmen and teachers, feature here also. There are many first holy communion and school photographs, recalling special occasions of our youth. Many of the photographs record sporting events and personalities, proud moments in Bellewstown's past.”
Among the contributors were Paul Black, who collected photographs over the years, and had also taken many himself; John Moore, Tommy Brannigan, Kieran Campbell, Ann Collins, Catriona Dillon, Philip Kirwan, while Michael Leonard. Fiona Ahern, Ann Bellew, Paul Black, John Kirwan, and Bernadette McGuinness worked hard on identifying the events, years and people in the photographs. Tom French and Mary McCarthy from Meath County Library and Meath County Heritage Office respectively were thanked for their support, and G&M Printers.
The book is a follow-up to previous publications by the society, 'Our School's Story 1826-1960'; 'The History of Hilltown House and the Boylan Family'; 'The Baddies of Bellewstown'; 'Almost 300 Years of Racing at Bellewstown'; and 'Bellewstown's Forgotten Heroes of World War I'.