Líle’s story is shortlisted from 500 entries around Ireland
By Maurice Garvey
A SHORT story written by Clondalkin resident Líle Ní Annracháin Frost, was shortlisted from almost 500 stories from around Ireland and was published in the Stories from the Waterside book during Heritage Week.
Last Saturday 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.
Lile Ní Annrachain with the book
Several members of FOTC - a community group that works to protect and enhance the River Camac - also entered stories to the competition.
To coincide with Water Heritage Day (the last Day of Heritage Week) FOTC based their quarterly newsletter around the publication, 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. 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 it a 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.”
The story by Líle Ní Annracháin Frost entitled “Móinéar na hAbhann” illustrates her childhood growing up beside the River Galey in Kerry, and how it was central to her life and imagination.
Stories from the Waterside was launched on Water Heritage Day, August 23. It is also available to view and download at www.watersandcommunities.ie
By subscribing to The Echo you are supporting your local newspaper Click Here: Echo Online.
