“Wisdom, Worries and Wit” launched by Knocklyon Women’s Group

A SPECIAL event was held at Ballyroan Library on Thursday, November 3, to launch “Wisdom Worries and Wit”.

This new book is a collection of short stories, reflections and poetry written during Covid restrictions by members of Knocklyon Women’s Group.

The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr Emma Murphy officiated at the launch.

She praised the group and its initiatives since it was formed in 2019.

Congratulating the contributors to the book she said it was a wonderful achievement and had produced something brilliantly tangible by putting their experiences down on paper, she wished more had done so.

It was a catalogue of thoughts and fears, negative and positive things that happened during the Pandemic.

Pictured from left: Councillor Alan Edge, Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Emma Murphy, Marion Sweetman, Sheila Ebbs.

Knocklyon Women’s Group offered a lifeline to women in the community.

The book was a testament to their spirit, tenacity and their work.

The Council Arts Department are delighted to help fund projects like this.

Speaking at the event Sheila Ebbs, Chairperson of Knocklyon Women’s Group recounted how the Group was started in 2019.

Having lived in Knocklyon since 1975, she recognised the need for a place where women could meet up socially, to chat, make new friends and, importantly, pursue various interests and activities.

With the assistance of Cllr Brian Lawlor and Su Clarke of South Dublin County Council initial meetings were set up to explore starting such a group. The response of the women of Knocklyon was immediate and enthusiastic and membership quickly grew to its present number of 175.

However, the arrival of Covid put a stop to all of their wide ranging in-person activities.

Undaunted, they decided to go online in an effort to keep in touch and to continue limited activities remotely.

An online writing group using Zoom, was created by Sheila and 12 members joined. Local author Carolann Copland stepped in to guide and encourage the group.

The result is the publication of a book, a piece of social history of, reflections, stories and poems based on the writing group’s thoughts and experiences during Covid lockdown, recording love, loss, hardships, hope and laughter during those difficult times.

Sile Coleman, Branch Librarian of Ballyroan Library told the audience that the book would be included in the Central Library’s Archive to be discovered by future generations.

The writing group is indebted for the invaluable assistance provided by Sile Coleman of Ballyroan Library, the Arts Office of South Dublin County Council, John Reddy, Creative Director of Paintbox Design, Graph Print and local author Carolann Copland.