HOW IT STARTED

At a meeting of Longwood Community Council in 1984, a decision was taken to investigate the feasibility of producing a parish magazine. To this end, a subcommittee under the chairmanship of Tom Holton was elected.

The other members were Fergal Giles, who was chosen as editor, Michael Leonard, Jean Regan, Una Ward, Michael Burke, and Jimmy Cleary.

From the first issue, *Longwood 84*, until the final issue in 2003, a total of 17 publications were produced. Throughout the years, the magazine developed and changed in style and content. Changes were also made to the title. While the first two issues were *Longwood 84* and *Longwood 85*, the subsequent issues importantly included the name Killyon as well.

From 1992, the logo ‘LK’ was included.

The magazine always offered all local clubs, groups, and organizations the opportunity to showcase their activities and achievements. This they did through reports, articles, and photos. This copy was always supported and complemented by items on local history, poetry, interviews with older residents, and articles from local scribes – based in some cases on matters of fact and others that are best described as ‘tongue in cheek’.

These contributors are too numerous to name but by reading the Magazines they will be revealed.

This mix was popular with the readers, and the magazine developed a following far and wide. The testimonials from Longwood people now living in America, Australia, Canada, Britain, and other foreign lands were encouragement to the committee to keep going.

The more material that was contributed for inclusion, the bigger the magazine potentially became, and therefore the higher the cost of publication.

When the first committee was formed, the Longwood Community Council – the parent body – gave a commitment to guarantee the costs incurred to the sum of £300. This guarantee was never called upon, and it’s a source of pride that the magazine has always funded itself. This was made possible through the work of Michael Burke, assisted by Jimmy Cleary and Paddy Cummins in the early days, and by P.J Ennis from 1989 on, in sourcing advertising both locally and further afield.

Five members of the original committee still remain in situ. When these five – Michael Leonard, Fergal Giles, Jean Regan, Una Ward, and Michael Burke – were joined by PJ Ennis and then by Marjorie Gilsenan and Tony Wallace, the new input of ideas and enthusiasm brought to the committee was the fillip that was needed and from then on the magazine was grown to the extent that the 2003 issue contained 120 pages plus a full-color cover. Compare this to the first issue of 44 pages and it will be seen the scale of the project that was *LK 2003*.

As the committee has decided that it is no longer practicable to continue, discussions were held as to how to conclude and dissolve the committee in the best interest of the magazines. One idea mooted was the internet. When talking to Geo. Stagg, the popular Sec. of Longwood G.A.A club, I discovered that it was possible to get a domain longwoodkillyon.com to facilitate publishing of the magazines to the web. Geo was also very helpfully able to arrange through his association with Balyna Rural Enterprise Development Association (B.R.E.D.A) to scan the magazines to disc. The committee appreciates the amount of work involved in this exercise and would like to thank Tessie Curry and her staff at B.R.E.D.A for all their work for us. We were also fortunate to have available to us the services of local man Trevor Ennis (trevorennis@pccare.ie) for designing the Web page and putting the magazines on the Web. This is a very specialist task and we thank Trevor for all his commitment and work.

Advice was also given by Cyril Regan on how to go about this technical exercise.

Others who served on the Magazine Committee at one time or another are Vincent Smyth, Mary Murphy, Anna Wolff, and Margaret Cleary RIP.

When the first Magazine was published back in 1984, The Web was something woven by spiders and the bane of flies and diligent housekeepers alike. Nowadays it is something that provides access to information throughout the entire universe. Visitors to this site and the archives of LONGWOOD/KILLYON, regardless of geography and as long as broadband is available can work out with Hopes Jocks, ramble down the renowned Ballinabarney Boreen, Reverently walk the ancient Mass paths to Killyon Chapel. They can tour with the inimitable Jimmy Farrell the history steeped Castlerickard and Lionsden. They can revisit the great sporting achievements of the many busy organizations that still enhance life in the parish. They will no doubt enjoy the photos of old and distant friends that are for a while brought back to them.

These are just a few of the joys, delights, and pleasure that await those who log on.

Yes, thanks to all who supported the committee down the years, our magazine is now available to the whole world.

Michael Leonard.