New DVD to focus on folklore of Kilanerin, Ballyfad and Coolgreany
A DVD titled ‘A Ramble Through Time’ is being launched just in time for Christmas by folklorist Michael Fortune.
The project has resulted in the production of a new collection of folklore and memories of country life from around Kilanerin, Ballyfad and Coolgreany.
The collection will be officially launched in Tommy Tutty’s Kitchen in Ballyfad on Thursday, December 20, at 8 p.m., and all are very welcome.
‘Tommy Tutty’s Kitchen in a unique cultural space and is part of a network of Storytelling Houses that dot the landscape of county Wexford,’ said Michael.
Aside from material collected, there were also many other discoveries during the project. One incredible important discovery stretched back to the Coolgreany/Croghan Evictions that took place in the area in 1887.
One day while filming 86 year old Molly Kavanagh in her home in Croghan she showed Michael a plastic bag of old photos. These were no ordinary set of prints, they were an original set of prints of the evictions from 131 years ago. Michael claims that ‘his jaw dropped, as I thought that one set of these photos only existed and these were donated to the National Library in 1992 by a woman from Australia’.
Like the evictions in 1887, the discovery of these prints in 1992 made the national news, however, little did Michael know that Molly, a direct descendant of those evicted had a set in her house.
The project is the brainchild of Michael, a native of Ballygarrett in the neighbouring Macamores, and has been produced with the support of the Old Kilnenor Historical Society and the Arts Department of Wexford County Council via their Creative Communities Scheme.
The project began in February this year and it features interviews recorded in peoples homes and at sites of folkloric or historical importance around the area.
Michael pointed out that this area ‘has one of the richest streams of folklore in the county’. However he says that ‘the area was continuously bypassed by collectors and academics and as a result many of the locals don’t realise what they have and believe such traditions/ customs are found elsewhere’.
Michael was welcomed with open arms into the community where he claims he never recorded such rich folklore, beliefs, words and sayings in all his years of doing this work.
‘The material just flows from the people here and their unique lilting and rising Wexford accent is like music to your ears,’ he added.
This particular rural community is without doubt changing and projects like this allow Michael to capture these places, stories, words and characters while he can.
Michael previewed short clips from the recordings on Facebook over recent weeks and has found that they are being shared and watched throughout the world. However you will have to reach into your pocket, ‘not too deep’ Michael claims, to hear all the material as you can buy a copy on the night or in local shops afterwards. The material ranges from farming traditions, fair days, burial customs, wedding customs, pastimes, local superstitions and beliefs and historical accounts. Each DVD has been edited and catalogued with chapter marks where people can access material and specific local stories with ease. After the launch of the DVDs, they will be available to buy in Murphy’s shop in Kilanerin and Short’s shop in Coolgreany. For more information contact Michael on 087 6470247 or email micfortune@gmail.com