Cork's hidden gems get some limelight

A NEW exhibition in a Cork library looks at some of the places, buildings and people often overlooked by what might be called mainstream history and tourism.

Bishopstown Library is currently hosting ‘Hidden Gems and Forgotten People’, an exhibition presented by the Federation of Local History Societies (FLHS).

The exhibition consists of a collection of images and texts celebrating some of the lesser known places, buildings and people of Ireland that can sometimes be forgotten by tourist brochures, history books, and guided tours.

The exhibition was launched by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Kieran McCarthy, himself an accomplished historian and author.

“Long may local history give us a life. It brings us together and helps us to harness the stories which are so important to pass on and learn from the past,” Mr McCarthy said.

Two former lord mayors of Cork attended the launch, former Fianna Fáil councillor Mary Shields, and former Fine Gael councillor Brian Bermingham, who is a member of Bishopstown Historical Society.

The FLHS was represented at the launch by committee member Eamon Leonard, and Larry Breen, who initiated the project and organised it with Marie McCarthy. Also in attendance was Cork county heritage officer Conor Nelligan and members of various local history and literary societies.

Among the people and places featured in the ‘Hidden Gems and Forgotten People’ exhibition is Willie Clune, who taught President Michael D Higgins at Ballyar National School in Co Clare, and who opened the first ‘Hidden Gems’ exhibition in 2015.

The dovecote at the 13th century Ballybeg Priory, which is on the Cork side of Buttevant, is also featured. The dovecote produced fertiliser from pigeons nesting in its 392 interior niches.

The exhibition runs until Thursday, April 25. See hiddengems.localhistory.ie.