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Chairman's Report:
Brian O'Byrne
For Heritage Week a trip to Four Knocks and surrounding area was successfully completed on 27th August, and a contribution towards a trip by Skerries children to Kilmainham Jail etc was paid by the Society as part of our effort to encourage an interest in historical matters.
During the year a memorial to Thomas Hand was erected by the Society at Baltrasna Lane, and near the Library in Strand Street, in co-operation with Fingal County Council, a memorial to those from the area who died in the Great War, 1914-1918 was erected.
Next seasons programme is yet to be finalised, but I can tell you that you will hear in November:
"From Megalithic Tombs to Martello Towers" with Paul Mulligan
December: "Christmas Fayre" with Readings and Entertainment
January 2007: "My Life" by Gerry Besseling
As usual I wish to record my, and I am sure your, appreciation of the Committee for their work which enables this Society to function so well.
Unfortunately some of the present Committee are unable to serve in the coming year, namely Joe Clinton and John Harte. We therefore need nominations for their replacements.
In conclusion, on behalf of the Society, I wish to thank Richard and Pauline Keane for their generous hospitality and co-operation.
Hon. Treasurer's Report:
Eric Embleton
October 2005 to October 2006
Expenses incurred and discharged include:
Purchases of Book Tokens for Presenters of Papers
Insurance - Secretarial Expenses & Office Supplies
Subscription to Old Dublin Society
Contribution to Parish Bulletin
Bus Hire (for the Heritage Week Tour)
Catering at Christmas meeting
Contribution to Réalt Na Mara School Tour
The Society also funded a memorial stone in remembrance of those from Skerries & District who fought and died in the Great War 1914 - 18. The assistance of Fingal Co. Co. with the location and erection of the stone is gratefully acknowledged.
Income accrued from:
Sales of Time & Tide
Members' Subscriptions
Voluntary Contributions at meetings
Fingal Co. Co. grant received (under its Community Activities Funding)
Scheme towards the cost of computer and other equipment which the
Society purchased in 2004/05.
End of Year Balance:
After deduction of sums allocated to fund future activities, the production of Time & Tide Volume 5 and money held in trust for the Martello Tower Fund, the Society has a credit balance of € 1,017.87
Membership:
Subscriptions were received from 69 members in 2005/06.
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Hon. Secretary's Report:
Rosalie Pickering
The 58th season of Skerries Historical Society held ten Ordinary Meetings, with talks by members and invited guests. We greatly admire our contributers for their dedication to research.
In particular we applaud Frank Whearity, who delivered two papers this season, bringing the total to four over the past three years. Frank is well advanced in his studies for a B.A. at Maynooth, and we wish him well.
Our December meeting was again a most festive occasion, but perhaps the highlight of the season was in May, when members of the Day Care Centre came with Betty Rooney and Bernadette Denny. Excerpts from their book 'Shared Memories' were read by Marie Bashford Synnott, Una Sweeney and Tony Keeling. Carmel Coyle related how the publication evolved, recording the sometimes sad, sometimes funny memories of our senior citizens. What a wonderful addition to any archive!
In April, Petra Skyvova, a native of the Czech Republic, drew our attention to the Holy Wells of Fingal, with her beautifully illustrated book on that subject. Many of these are in a deplorable state, which reminded us of what can happen if we cede the fate of our historic landscape to developers.
On 1st July, the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, S.H.S. unveiled a plaque near the Library to honour the men from Skerries and district who fought and died in the First World War. Joe Clinton and Maree Baker are to be congratulated for the work they put into organising this, compiling the list of fifty five names of those who died in Belgium, France, Germany and Gallipoli.
As research is still ongoing the list will be displayed in the Library and at Skerries Mills. A commemorative booklet containing all the names will be published later. We are grateful to Fingal County Council for part funding this project, and to Stephen Hope for his design.
On 21st August Skerries Heritage Trail was officially launched. This was devised by the Tidy Towns Committee in conjunction with Skerries Historical Society. Twelve information panels have been erected around the town, to inform visitors and residents of our illustrious past. A souvenir guide has been produced, with proceeds going to the Day Care Centre.
To celebrate Heritage Week this year, S.H.S. organised a bus tour on 27th August to the Four Knocks area. Twenty five people enjoyed an interesting afternoon with Bríd Ní Ghruagáin as guide, and Christy Nulty giving his entertaining description of Cruise's Castle.
All in all, this has been a very productive year for S.H.S. As we look forward to our book launch of Time & Tide, Vol. 5, later tonight I wish to thank the committee who worked tirelessly to this end, also Betty Balcombe and Patricia Flavin for their work at the Archive at Ardgillan, and last but not least to Pauline and Richard Keane for their hospitality here year after year.
Page updated - 21 / 11 / 2006.
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