‘Magical’ village of Fore hosts launch of late Manchán’s book
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Master of ceremonies Malachy Hand speaking at the book launch event in Fore.Image 2 of 9
Artist Liam Mac Aindriú from Allenwood, County Kildare presented Aisling Rogerson with a painting of the late Manchán Magan at the book launch.Image 3 of 9
Bríd Farrelly sings ‘Fáinne Geal an Lae’, accompanied by Noel O’Neill (not in picture).Image 4 of 9
Local arborist Ciarán Keating laid out a selection of native tree seeds and invited the audience to bring some home to plant, reflecting Manchán’s message of interconnectedness between people and nature.Image 5 of 9
Aisling Rogerson shares with the audience her personal thoughts on Seeing What’s Hidden.Image 6 of 9
Fore Abbey Coffee Shop owner Jane O’Reilly reads a passage from Seeing What’s Hidden.Image 7 of 9
Coole native Gráinne Uí Chonnalláin read a passage from Seeing What’s Hidden.Image 8 of 9
Members of the audience turn to listen to members of An Cupán Tae, a traditional music group from Oldcastle, County Meath, play ‘Planxty Manchán Magan’.Image 9 of 9
Members of the organising committee (from left) Bríd Farrelly, Aisling Rogerson, Malachy Hand, Nóra Máire Ní Loingsigh, Jane O’Reilly and Bibi O’Reilly. Committee members not pictured are Tina Halpin, Noel O’Neill and Ciarán Keating.There was a heartwarming occasion in Fore on the bank holiday Monday for the launch of the late Manchán Magan’s most recent book, Seeing What’s Hidden.
Various local speakers read extracts from the book and reflected on Manchán’s message of interconnectedness between land and people.
Manchán’s wife, Aisling Rogerson, was in attendance, and she spoke about Manchán’s love for Westmeath and the midlands. In her concluding remarks, Aisling affirmed her belief to the audience that Fore was a magical place, and she described her feeling of ‘big love’ from its landscape, its people and the audience in attendance on the day.
She thanked to the master of ceremonies, Malachy Hand, and Fore Abbey Coffee Shop owner, Jane O’Reilly.
The book launch concluded with members of An Cupán Tae, a traditional music group from Oldcastle, playing Planxty Manchán Magan, composed by Steve Cooney.
Those in attendance left with the message that Manchán had trust in people to carry on and nurture an affinity with land, language, the natural world, sacred places and community. As he states in the book’s dedication, ‘Tá iontaoibh agam ionann’.