A large attendance gathered in Greystones Library on the 4th June for the launch of a new walking brochure “The Trails of Greystones its Buildings and History” This is the first publication of a series of walks which is jointly produced by The La Touche Legacy Committee and Greystones Archaeological & Historical Society which is aimed at the local community and visitors to the Town.
Brendan Martin County Librarian welcomed the gathering to the very historic that is Greystones Library,
Rosemary Raughter Chair of GAHS said “She was delighted to be associated with venture on behalf of the Society in particular as a follow on the very successful publication of the previous two books on Greystones. The seed for these walks were planted last year when Joan Jones & herself organised a walk on the Saturday of the Annual La Touche Seminar/Festival of History and found there was a very widespread interest in the buildings and history of the area. Follow on from this pilot run further similar walks were organised for St David students and St Patrick’s students.
She was delighted that the La Touche Legacy had urged that they put “pen to paper” and we now have this wonderful free guide to the centre of the town walk.
GeorgeJones Chair of the La Touche Legacy said they were delighted to once more to be working with GHAS in producing this brochure and he thanked Joe Roberts of Wicklow press have his work on the actual layout and printing.
George said he hoped that this was the first in a series of three that will provide options for a nice walk, learn something of its buildings and history.
The brochures will be available in the Library and all commercial businesses that are interested in distributing them to their customers.
George thanked the Minister of State Simon Harris for his attendance along with Cllrs Grainne McLoughlin and Gerry Walsh, also in attendance were former Wicklow County Council CEO Eddie Sheehy and President of the La Touche Legacy the Hon Garech de Brun along with members of the GHAS.
GeorgeJones 086 8217357
Minister Simon Harris, Rosemary Raughtor and George Jones
Some of the large crowd at the launch of the walkimg trails publication Brendan Martin, George Jones, Rosemary Raughtor,Minister Harris
& Joan Jones
October 2014 - Festival of History was a huge success
The first festival of history organised by the La Touche Legacy Committee and Greystones Archaeological and Historical Society held this weekend was a huge success. The Chairman of the La Touche Legacy George Jones said “ we are really delighted that the weekend was such a success with huge attendances on all days of the lectures.
Friday evening start with a celebration of Greystones and Ards connection was well received by a large audience with follow on lectures by Lord Meath , Deputy Anne Ferris and the Key note address from the leader of the WW1 Road show Myles Dungun.
Saturday included more personal reflections from Chris Fox and WW1 Roadshow members Brendan Flynn, John O’Keeffe and Dr Ciaran Wallace. Over 40 people took part in a walking tour of historic Greystones lead by Rosemary Raughter and Joan Jones. The final event on Saturday was the Seminar Dinner which was addressed by Minister of State Deputy Simon Harris, the Bray Concert Band under the leadership of Gerry Stafford proved a musical favour of World War 1 .
The final Jim Brennan memorial Lecture was given by Turtle Bunbury on Sunday morning.
George Jones thanked the community for buying tickets for the event (normally it was a free event but with the changes to Local Government new funding arrangements were needed) and also praised the support of local councillors Tom Fortune , Grainne McLoughlin, Derek Mitchell, and Gerry Walsh, for the weekend along with support from Deputies Ferris, Harris, Timmins and Doyle.
George Jones welcomed the great support from Northern Ireland Councillors and in particular was delighted that Baroness Nuala O’Loan was in attendance with her husband Councillor Declan O’Loan from Ballymena Borough Council , Councillors were also present from Ards, Omagh, Newry & Mourne, Castlereagh, George Jones also thanked Wicklow County Councillors Pat Casey, Shay Cullen, Pat Vance, John Ryan, Chris Fox, Vincent Blake and Edward Timmins for attending over the weekend.
George Jones concluded “ the very large attendance over the weekend really shows that there is a great interest in history and events and the Legacy in association with GAHS look forward to providing a further interesting 27th Seminar in 2015.
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May 2014
Planting a rose from Bellevue Delgany former home of the La Touches in Luggala - former hunting lodge of the La Touches Garech de Brun invited the Chairman of the La Touche Legacy Mr George Jones to do the honours on a very sunny Saturday 17th May.
October 2013
Greystones Its Buildings and History
Part 2 to be launched Charlesland Golf and Country Club
Monday November 4th at 8pm
All Welcome
October 2012 - NEW GUIDE TO BE PUBLISHED – GREYSONES ITS BUILDINGS AND HISTORY
The La Touche Legacy in association with the Greystones Archaeological and Historical Society will publish at the end of October the first edition of a Guide to its buildings and history.
The Chairman of the La Touche Legacy Committee Cllr George Jones said he was delighted to announce the publication of this Guide which will show the Town’s buildings , give some of their history along with an insight in the La Touche Family and the Elizabeth Hawkins Whitshed family. There will also be a brief history of the Town of Greystones.
Cllr Jones said “over 100 residential, commercial, public buildings , schools and churches will appear in this first edition and will show how rich in architecture our many fine houses are which of course have been added to by the many developments that have been constructed since the early 1970’s . The Guide will show how our many churches, public buildings and schools have provided not only a public service but have added to the general landscape of the Town. The commercial buildings will show how they have retained the village image.
Cllr Jones concluded since I entered public life over 30 years ago I have a passion to show my local Town in positive manner, a town so steeped in history with the Burnaby and La Touche Family providing a major backdrop to the modern Greystones and the many thousands of new residents adopting Greystones as their home has continued to make Greystones a “Liveable Community” and “a New Town with an old Tradition “
September 2012
The La Touche Legacy launches new Logo.
A new logo for the La Touche Legacy incorporating the Bellevue Coat of Arms was launched recently. Cllr George Jones, commented that it is excellent that the Legacy has its own logo and the wording at the top of the crest aptly reflects the ethos of the La Touche Legacy.
Quid verum atque decens curo et rogo
translates What is true and honourable is what I care and ask for
The Chairman of the La Touche Legacy launched three seperate initiatives in the Greystones Library on the 7th March 2012
Cllr George Jones, John Doyle
Eddie Sheehy Wicklow Co Co County Manager, Cllr Gráinne Mc Loughln & Cllr Tom Fortune, Mayor of Greystones
LAUNCH 1 BOOK ON BUILT ENVIRONS OF GREYSTONES TOWN
La Touche Legacy in association with the Greystones Archaeological Historical Society will publish a Historic Guide which will chart the development of Greystones through the centuries. The objective of the book will be to record and publish and show the built environs of the town. The book will contain photos of residential, commercial, and historic buildings with a short description of many of the fine houses and details where Michael Collins, Eamon DeValera, A J Potter, J B Synge and many others stayed or lived in Greystones.
The book would also contain articles on the famous La Touche and Burnaby Families, short history of Greystones and similar type articles.
George Jones said they were delighted to be in a position to publish this guide as over the years we published the complete history of the La Touche Family by Michael McGinley and supported Peter McNiff in his book on famous residents of the Town.
LAUNCH 2
DIGITAL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
In order to publish the Historic Guide the Legacy are running a Photography Competition for the photos of the famous houses, commercial buildings and historic buildings. There will be a prize fund of €1,000 and five categories
·Residential Buildings 1) Pre 1960 2) Post 1960
·Commercial Buildings 3)Pre 1960 4) Post 1960
·Historic Buildings including Churches, halls and similar buildings.
Closing date for the competition will be 25 May 2012 and full details along with application forms are available here
At the launch Pat Killilea Committee member said “this will be an existing opportunity for amateur photographers to photograph the built environment of Greystones and be part of this existing publication” Click here for application and information
LAUNCH 3
CELEBRATION OF BLOOMS DAY JUNE 16th
In a third announcement Cllr George Jones stated that following a request from some residents, the La Touche Legacy in association with the Library Services, Local Drama Groups, restaurants and cafes will hold the towns first Blooms Day celebrations on June 16th 2012. Cllr Jones went on to say it is hoped that many of the restaurants and cafes will run morning breakfast sessions for the whole family with readings by Joyce; and the Library will also stage some post breakfast readings later in the morning.
At the launch John Doyle of Bray read from James Joyce’s works.
Cllr Jones concluded “at times with all our financial difficulties we can become depressed but the Legacy wish to provide the community with the opportunity to enjoy, celebrate, and understand the history of this great town that we all call home and along with other events planned throughout 2012 will show that Greystones will lead the way with these many positive developments.
21st October 2011
LA TOUCHE LEGACY TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Following a Committee meeting on Friday night the La Touche Legacy Committee agreed to provide funding to the Greystones Chamber for Christmas lights in the Town.
Cllr George Jones chairman of the Legacy Committee confirmed that they would be prepared to increase their contribution to €1,500 once the Commercial premises on the Main Street contribute to the funding.
Cllr Jones said that ” Once more there had been a very successful seminar held and he was delighted that funds from the weekend can be used for community purposes like the Christmas lights”
The committee also at their meeting on Friday agreed to increase their contribution to the local conference of St Vincent de Paul, again Cllr Jones said “this group do great work in the area and we are delighted to be in a position to assist in their work in the run up to Christmas".
November 2010 Wicklow won the Gold awards & 2nd place at the world LivCom awards 2010 in early November as the most livable place in the world with a population under 150,000. Two members of the La Touche Legacy committee, Cllr George Jones & Cllr Gráinne Mc Loughlin with Cllr. Tom Fortune presented Wicklow's submission in Chicago.
Following a lengthy submission, compiled by Gráinne in Spring 2010, the team presented a forty minute presentation plus a film of the county that was supported financially by the La Touche Legacy. For more information click on www.livcomawards.com
This follows Greystones winning 1st place and the Gold award in 2008 in the category of a population under 20,000. Cllr George Jones commented that he was delighted to be associated with these awards & said it was testament to the wonderful county Wicklow is. Click on the links below to view the two LivCom
films
THREE POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES WILL ATTEND LA TOUCHE LEGACY SEMINAR
Speaking at the 22nd Launch of the 2010 La Touche Legacy Seminar on Monday night 13th September in Druids Glen Golf Club the Chairman George Jones indicated that three potential Presidential candidates will be guests this year.
Among a great panel of speakers at this years event to be held on Fri/Sat/Sun 1st /2nd /3rd October will be the Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly, Mary Davis Special Olympics and Senator David Norris . They will be joined by Heather Moorhead CEO Northern Ireland Local Government Association, Brendan Keenan Economics Editor Irish Independent , Terry O'Niadh Former County Manager and Anne O'KeeffeFormer Director OLAM.
All these lectures take place on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning are open to the public without charge. We are delighted that once more our conference will be opened by the current Mayor of Ards Cllr David Smyth.
On Sunday morning we introduce the " Jim Brennan Memorial Lecture" which will be given by the National Archives of Ireland Office senior archivist Catriona Crowe. By doing so we associate Greystones Archaeological and Historical Society the La Touche Weekend which is very fitting since Jim was a founder member of both organisations.
Cllr Jones concluded since our 2009 La Touche Conference our town has been enriched by two projects in which the La Touche Committee have been actively involved..
First and foremost is the modernising and re-opening of the Greystones branch Library which now contains a permanent exhibition in memory of the "La Touche Family.
dedicated to the La Touche connection and other interesting links of the Town . Both are well worth a visit.
September 2010 - La Touche Legacy helps the Koni Kats
The La Touche Legacy has since its inception assisted various local groups and areas of the town that would not be in a position to qualify for grants yet who need financial assistance. The latest of these is the F1 for schools world winners, the Koni Kats. who scooped the title for St. David's School from strong International competition in 2009. They were anxious to complete their lap of honour winner year by handing over the trophy to the next winners. They had sponsorship for their flights but were short funding for other expenses so they approached the La Touche Legacy. The Chairman of the La Touche Legacy, Cllr. George Jones, said he was delighted that the Legacy committee was in a position to provide sponsorship to St David's F1 World Championship team. The finals this year are taking place in Singapore in late September and the Koni Kats are hoping to travel to the event to hand over the reins to a new World Champion but of course funds are required. Cllr Jones said "In the present climate it is very difficult to obtain sponsorship and I am delighted that we were in a position to assist, these young men brought great credit to their school, their town and themselves and I feel we should support this type of effort" Cllr Jones, handing over a cheque to Team Captaiin Eoin O'Connell on Monday 12th, wished them well and again congratulated them on their success.
