‘Memory man’ storyteller mourned by heritage group
By Maurice Garvey
THE recent passing of Ballyfermot Heritage Group member William O’Flaherty was mourned by the community organisation, who paid tribute to their very own “memory man”.
Mr O’Flaherty (91) passed away on August 2, but was known in the area as a great storyteller.
William O'Flaherty is remembered as a great storyteller
The Ballyfermot grandfather played his own part in shaping the community through his work with G & T Crampton.
“William helped build the first schools, houses and shops in Ballyfermot,” said Ken Larkin, Ballyfermot Heritage Group.
“He was a great man and joined the heritage group in its early days. He was a legend in the library, where he could always be found reading books, gaining more knowledge. William was our Jimmy Magee, our memory man.”
Ken said William could talk on any subject and loved Ballyfermot and the local library.
“William would tell us of his times working for G & T Crampton building the Sarsfield, and the Landen Road houses, also De La Salle Monastery and the school on Ballyfermot Road back in 1948.
“One of his other loves was Gallanstown and the 7th Lock area, which he walked and wrote about. On many occasions we all in the heritage group would ask him questions on subjects, and he would have all the answers.”
William and his late wife Phyllis raised a family of nine children in Ballyfermot.
He wrote a short story for the Ballyfermot Precious Memories book, which is available to read at Ballyfermot Library.
TAGS Ballyfermot
