BEARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S TALKS DURING 2000

    A large gathering of people attended and were welcomed by Secretary of the Society, Brendan Finch.  Brendan outlined the history of the Society since its foundation in 1986, stating that they were honoured to have Gerdie Harrington as their Chairman.  He also outlined a brief history of the life to date of the Author of this fine book, stating that although he went to England to work for 40 years in various jobs, he was still a Beara man. 

    During this time in England, he worked for 10 years with the 'Irish Post', a newspaper for the Irish in Britain, as a photo-journalist.  He is the current 'Beara Person of the Year', an honour bestowed on him earlier this year for his contribution to Beara in his weekly writings to the Beara & District News in the Southern Star among other achievements locally.  Brendan thanked Gerdie for writing this book on behalf of the Society and then asked Bernie Cahill to say a few words and to officially launch the book.

Bernie Cahill, a native of Bere Island, stated that he was indeed honoured to have been asked to perform the launch of this fine long awaited book.      He complimented Gerdie on the way he wrote on the many aspects of the history of Beara in short, though very informative Chapters.  It was a book that could be used as a reference book easily, again because of the way it was written.  He would certainly be acquiring a number of copies to send to other Beara people throughout the world, who would gain much pleasure in reading it.      He wished Gerdie and the Historical Society the very best with the publication. Brendan then asked the author himself to say a few words.

    It was evident that this was indeed a great occasion for Gerdie in that the fruits of his labours over the years was finally in print.  He thanked everyone who attended the launch and hoped they would obtain much pleasure in reading this book. 

    He also paid a special thanks to John Eagle, who kindly gave permission for the use of one of his 'Lighthouse' Photo Collection, the 'Calf Rock' as the cover picture. Thanks also went to Kate O'Sullivan, her father Donal and John Kinns for transcribing his manuscript and to the many sponsors who helped finance this book.

    Brendan Finch rounded off by saying a final 'Thank You' to everyone who came and hoped they enjoyed this publication which was on sale on the night and indeed in many outlets in the town. Gerdie Harrington then proudly signed the many books purchased on the night.

    The book has 377 pages with 51 different Chapters, all outlined in the index.  The Foreword which briefly describes the book in the authors own words is as follows: -

'Beara and it's people have a long and varied history. 

Unless we know and understand the past, we cannot appreciate the present, nor anticipate the future. 

Local history is not only interesting and important in itself, it also contributes to our senses of identity and it is the basis of national history. 

The following stories about our area and the lives of its people are not so much founded in fact as in fact true. 

Several have appeared in print in the Southern Star, the Cork Holly Bough and the Irish Post in the 1960-70s. 

The events are in each case related either as they actually occurred, or with a very slight dramatisation and infusion of contemporaneous colour. 

My object generally has been to signpost the way for the reader to a deeper and more sympathetic understanding of the people and events of recent centuries that, not alone have shaped the present-day Beara, but have also contributed to the emergence of modern Ireland'.

©Beara Historical Society 2010