Interviewed by  Jodie Geogan / photos by John Nutley

Jodie: How long have you lived in your area?
PJ: Since 1969, so 52 years.

Jodie: What’s a fond memory you have of living here?
PJ: Family, friends, community. Family is life. Football teams.

Jodie: Have you seen this community come back from hard times before?
PJ: Yes, Covid trades opening, staying safe, outbreaks, 2008, car crash. 1965, farming not at advanced stage, but grants became available, and helped improvements in forms. Dry summers in the 70s, group scheme developed- good quality water.

Jodie: What sort of things are you doing now to stay connected to your community and family and what does community mean to you?
PJ: Continuing texts, mobile phone, trips to town for shopping. Visiting family, seeing grandchildren. 3 evenings a week- walking club. Talking, chatting, gossip- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, every weather, nothing stopping us.

Jodie: What message do you want to leave for yourself and this community in 10 years time?
PJ: Sense of community strengthens, halls open up, facilities at football field is successful. Religion stays important. Church develops. Full capacity in bar, missing shop in community, hope this develops in our new hall.

Below is a copy of the poem Jodie wrote as her creative response to her conversation with Eamon and some extra portraits from the photographer John Nutly.