“The Ballydonoghue Parish Magazine aims to promote, preserve and record the culture of the extended parish and to be an inspiration to youth.”
History of Ballydonoghue Parish Magazine (BPM)
Sarah Buckley, Editor of BPM holding the magazines First Edition
The Ballydonoghue Parish Magazine was born in 1985 when innovative members of the Parish Committee including Donal Foley (Moybella, RIP) and Mary Dee (Moybella) decided to produce a magazine aimed at preserving parish traditions and giving the emigrants of the parish a voice. Sarah Buckley (Knockenagh) was appointed editor and produced two magazines entitled “Ballydonoghue – Our Parish” in 1985 and 1986.
Such was the success of these two editions that a separate committee was formed in 1987 to produce the magazine which was called “The Ballydonoghue Parish Magazine”. The editor and chairman was David Kissane from Ardfert, a native of Lacca. The committee was Katherine Sweeney, Marie O’Briain, Eileen Mason (RIP) (Treasurer), Norrie Donegan (RIP), Mary Dee (Secretary), Maureen Nolan (RIP), Eamie Kissane (RIP), John Keane, Michael Barry, Donal Foley (RIP) and Seán Foran (RIP). Fr Michael Stack stressed the important role that the diaspora had in his introduction in the magazine and he also noted that such a magazine could note present events and not just history. In the year 1999, Danny Curtin (Ballydonoghue) became editor and when Danny passed away in 2002 John McGrath (Moybella) took over the role till David Kissane returned as editor in 2010.
BPM Committee in 1989: Front (L to R): Sheila Barry (RIP), Norrie Donegan (RIP), Fr. Michael Stack (RIP), Dan Kissane (RIP), Maureen Foley (RIP), Mary Dee. Back (L to R): David Kissane, John Keane, Michael Barry, Eileen Mason (RIP), Sean Foran (RIP), Micheál Carr
BPM wish to cultivate ideas and bring the fruit home with its annual magazine
A constrant stream of committee members of all ages over the years has ensured that the BPM is now one of the longest-running parish magazines in Ireland. The BPM developed over the years and increased in volume and impact. Increased photographs, the provision of an opinion platform, the recording of births, marriages and deaths, a letters section, a children’s section, a sports section, committee reports, literary competitions, photographic competitions, folklore recording, interviews, humorous items, a diaspora section, input by established writers, sections for young people, a features section, a history section, and much more meant that the BPM was a social document and well as a creative platform. In 2012 the first all-colour edition was produced with the aid of the most modern technology but with the most traditional philosophy, that of maintaining the magazine’s position as the rambling house of the Parish of Ballydonoghue.
The committee is open to allcomers and can be joined at any time. The meetings are advertised in The Kerryman notes and on this website and are held in Lisselton NS with the kind permission of the principal and board of management.
The endeavour of the committee ensures that no matter how steep, we always reach the top to produce our yearly magazine
Looking after the cattle and magazine – our committee can multitask with the best of them!!!
The BPM is not all work, we like to play as well
Last Year’s Launch Night Photos
Sarah Lynch and Robbie Foley accepting their “Children’s Writing Competition” awards. Front: Robbie Foley, Sarah Lynch. Back: Maurice O’Mahony, Mick Browne, John Keane.
Accepting their awards in the “Adult Photographic Competition” were Bridget O’Connor and Breda Canty. Front: Bridget O’Connor, Breda Canty, Elaine Nolan.
Brían Ó’Seanacháin and Micheál Foley (on behalf of his brother Jason) accepting the “Young Achievers” awards. Front: Ger Moran, Brían Ó’Seanacháin, Micheál Foley, David Kissane.
Stalwart supporters of the magazine down through the year Front: Jimmy Deenihan, Robert Bunyan (who launched the magazine), JJ Bunyan.