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Cumann na Daoine

A community based organisation in Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Women’s Group launch their Legacy Project publication

CnD Women’s Group launched their publication ‘Legacy Project: The First Chapter’ at Youghal Library on June 29th.

Michael Twomey, researcher and editor of the ‘Legacy Project’; Nikki Bray, Chairperson of the Youghal Cumann na Daoine Women’s Group; co-researcher and editor Hayley Fox-Roberts, Development Worker with Cumann na Daoine and John Griffin and Mark Nolan, Youghal RNLI at the Cumann na Daoine  Women’s Group ‘Legacy Project’ Book Launch at the Youghal Library on Wednesday 29th June 2022.

All images courtesy of Michael Hussey.

The Legacy Project began with a series of interviews conducted by local historian Michael Twomey with members of the Cumann na Daoine Women’s Group in 2016. The women answered questions about their lives and about the world they grew up in. They reflected on how much life has changed, particularly for women, but also for families and children.

The Project was coming back to life in 2020 until Covid19 slowed us down. In 2022 the group met again with Hayley to complete the project and are delighted to present this collection. We call it “The First Chapter” because there are always more stories to tell!. Development Worker Hayley Fox-Roberts and CnD Women’s Group Chair Nikki Bray look forward to hearing more memories from old members old and new whenever we meet – our stories are our histories and we treasure them.

Sadly, some members are no longer with us. We want to pay tribute to those who were members of our group from 2000 who have passed on, to those who are unable to attend and to all the present members. Their stories live on through this project.

All proceeds from the sale of this booklet will be split between the CnD Women’s Group and the Youghal RNLI.

The publication was launched at Youghal Library on June 29th, with some of the participants reading from the publication. Alongside this launch, pieces of ‘abstract positive memory art’ are on display: these were created in a workshop with local artist Eileen McGoldrick.

‘Legacy Project: The First Chapter’ is now for sale at Crees Card Shop, North Main Street; Read and Write Shop, North Main Street and at the Cumann na Daoine Centre on Catherine Street. Price €5

John Griffin and Mark Nolan of Youghal RNLI 

Founder member of the CnD Women’s Group Margaret Kelleher talks about the group’s history over the past 20 years.

Group member Therese O’Connell reads from the publication

Michael Twomey, originator of the project in 2016, spoke about how happy he was the project had been reinstated, and the importance of recording our social histories.

Development Worker Hayley Fox-Roberts, who completed the project with the group, mentioned plans for follow-on heritage projects over the coming months.

Left to right: Historian Michael Twomey; Women’s Group Chair Nikki Bray, Development Worker Hayley Fox-Roberts with Mark Nolan and John Griffiths of Youghal RNLI.

Women’s Group Chair Nikki Bray introduced the event, and reminded everyone that group membership is always open! You can find out more from cndwomensgroup@gmail.com or call the Cumann na Daoine office on 024 91900.

Julie O’Donnell of Youghal Library; Dolores Corcoran, Chair of Cumann na Daoine and members of CnD Women’s Group enjoying the event!

Rememebr, you can buy a copy of this publciation and support both the group and Youghal RNLI – available at Cumann na Daoine, Cree’s Newsagent and Read Write in North Main Street, Youghal!