Fundraising book for the Hope centre tells its own unique story
A rather unique book has been produced to raise money for the Hope cancer support centre in Enniscorthy.
The book, which is a compendium of songs, poems, essays, jokes and facts dating back to the early part of the 20th century was compiled by Pat and Noel Armstrong, from Kiltealy.
Speaking to this newspaper about the book - which raised €1,300 for the centre - Noel Armstrong said it follows on from another publication produced in 2010 based on the writings of his late father, James.
‘ That book was of songs and poems written by our late father and when we were researching it Fr Wall gave me an old copy of writings by our late uncle, Mike, as well,’ said Noel.
Meanwhile, Pat Armstrong was also given a number of old school copies and having gone through them the family decided to re-produce the stories and put them in book form.
‘All of the copies had been hand-written by our father or uncle Mike,’ said Noel.
While some of the original writings were faded the brothers re-wrote them as they had been originally written.
Significantly, and as luck would have it, James and Mike dated most of the stories, poems and songs when they originally wrote them and as Noel pointed out: ‘ That makes them all the more interesting.’
Almost all of the pieces in the publication date back from the period between 1906 and 1914.
Noel said himself and Pat were delighted to be able to present a cheque for €1,300 to the Hope centre.
Significantly, they didn’t charge for the book and instead just asked people who they got them to make a donation to the centre.
They thanked Assumpta Pender, Fr Wall, Eileen O’Connor, Kiltealy, and Senan Lillis, Blackwater, for their help in compiling the book.