The fields of Glenasmole – now on record
By Mary Dennehy
AFTER years of recording the field names in Glenasmole, the tireless and dedicated efforts of local man Pat Lee to record and sustain the area’s history and heritage is now immortalised into a book.
On Monday, November 16, The Field Names of Glenasmole was launched in the Glenasmole Community Centre by South Dublin County Mayor, Sarah Holland – and in the presence of residents, school children, local historians and members of the County Library, Tallaght, and South Dublin County Council’s heritage section.
The extensive study by Pat Lee has recorded and highlighted the names of fields for future generations, and has helped to curb the “gradual erosion” and loss of local knowledge, folklore and community memory as families move away from Glenasmole – or are less involved in farming activities.
With support from the council’s Heritage Officer, 285 field names have been retrieved from the collective memory of the Glenasmole community and their future safeguarded, and according to Pat: “If my generation did not record field and place names they would be forgotten forever.”
Renua councillor Ronan McMahon, who was present at the launch, said: “Pat’s father John Lee. RIP, had passed on lots of notes and documentation about the area to him.
“This prompted Pat to record the information and additional information from locals and their knowledge, before it was lost forever. There are so many fields – some smaller than an acre, and they all had local names, which were handed down from generation to generation over the years.”
Speaking on the night, Mayor Holland said: “This project is the culmination of years of research into local folk history and includes contributions from the entire community.
“It’s a project to be proud of and contains information which paints a picture of the rich history of the area.
“We here in South Dublin are very proud of our rural heritage and this project was a celebration of that.”
A copy of the book is available in the County Library, Tallaght, or Glenasmole National School.
Locals Donie Anderson, Micheal Collins, Martin Conroy, Brian Jones, Pat Jones, Liam Kilbride, Jim Mahon, John Murphy, Winnie Murphy and Jim Worth contributed to the book.
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