LAUNCH OF CELBRIDGE – A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD

Celbridge Camera Club (CCC) launched its new book – Celbridge – A Photographic Record on Friday 19 November in the Hunting Room, Castletown House.

Formally launching the book, Tony Doohan, local historian, described the book as a “formidable and comprehensive piece of work which has captured the essence of Celbridge, its people and its places.” He went on to say that “the collection of almost 600 photographs depicting life and living in Celbridge and nearby towns will educate and entertain the people of Celbridge and North Kildare for generations.”

Pat Shaw, President of Celbridge Camera Club, said at the launch that he “hoped that all who turn the colourful pages of this book will get great enjoyment from it and gain a sense of wonderment of the place where we live”.  He thanked the Project Team of Michael Davitt, Edel Moran, Stuart Bould, Colm Kavanagh, David Wolahan, and Dallas Camier “who did an outstanding job in creating this special photographic record of Celbridge.”

Guests from many sectors of the Community attended the launch and commenting on the book, Frank Butler, Chairperson of Celbridge Camera Club said “that the book is a wonderful addition to the photographic history of Celbridge and is an immensely important collection for all who live in and enjoy the many facets of Celbridge and its nearby towns.”

The high-quality book captures images from all around Celbridge and includes, drone shots, heritage areas, landmark buildings, wildlife, nature and the people of Celbridge at work, at rest and at play.

Copies of the book are being donated to all schools in Celbridge and the local library.

Celbridge Camera Club are also ensuring that the images in the book will be available to view on-line in the near future and, in addition, are also creating a vast on-line archive of over 2,000 images captured during the making of the book.  This will be placed on an inter-active platform and will be added to as the years go by providing a constantly changing view of Celbridge and its environs.

The Celbridge Album 2021 is a unique and valuable visual record of Celbridge through the medium of photography reflecting the built and natural environment together with all facets of life in 2021.  Celbridge Camera Club would like to thank local historian and former school principal – Tony Doohan – for providing his assistance in the compilation of old photographs and with historical context.

RTÉ was so impressed with the project that it filmed a segment for its Nationwide programme covering the creation of the book and this segment will be aired early in the New Year.

Celbridge Camera Club committed €2,500 of its own funds to the project which was matched by funding from Intel as one of its winners of the 2021 Intel Pride of Place Competition.  The Club is also very grateful to Castletown Press and Orchard Nurseries for their significant contribution to the project and to Croí Laighean Credit Union, Absolutely Fabulous Flowers and AIB who also provided financial support.  Celbridge Camera Club would also like to express its sincere appreciation of the ongoing fantastic support of local business people for our various community-focussed activities.

The book will continue to benefit the community through its distribution to the National Library, National Photographic Archive, Maynooth University, local libraries and all local schools.  It will also benefit those who have over the years had to emigrate or who now live abroad. They will forever be able to visit where they grew up and went to school. And, of course, as yet unborn children will be able to look back at the life their parents lived in Celbridge and environs when 2021 is but a distant memory for all. 

Edel Moran, Public Relations Officer, said at the launch that she “was immensely proud of the great work and team spirit displayed by the members of the club and that the book represents a lasting achievement for all and a significant contribution to the Community.”

Photographs are like secret maps to our past and this book will be a fascinating resource for future generations who turn back the pages of time and look at how we lived in 2021.

Copies of the book are available for purchase through the Club’s website www.celbridgecameraclub.net and from the Orchard Nurseries, Absolutely Fabulous Flowers, Walsh’s Pharmacy, Castletown House and the Maynooth Bookstore.

 

For further information please contact:

Ms. Edel Moran – Public Relations Officer, Celbridge Camera Club

086 3717873 or procelbridgecameraclub@gmail.com

Mr. Michael Davitt – Project Leader

087 2515528 or Michaeldavitt_@outlook.com