The 2024 Leitrim Guardian – a joy to read and to share with others

The 2024 Leitrim Guardian is in the shops now, and what a joy it is to immerse oneself in this beautiful publication and reap the rich results of its contributors in areas such as poetry, prose and photography.

With almost ninety articles and many other snippets filling some 176 pages in full colour, you will be charmed by this latest annual review of all that is good and true and beautiful in the life and landscape of our lovely county.

Some articles are written by ‘outsiders’ who had come to Leitrim in search of their ancestors or in pursuit of rest and recreation. Others are written by ‘insiders’ who left Leitrim in pursuit of better job opportunities. Yet all converge on their great appreciation of the county and its people.

In addition to articles from all over Leitrim and pieces from people in different parts of Ireland, the magazine also covers the Leitrim connection to the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, Poland, France, Turkey and Syria.

Photography plays a big part in the publication, dealing with a wide range of subjects and often reaching a very high quality – a great way to advertise the county and boost tourism.

Entertainment events from throughout the county are featured, including Agricultural Shows, Festivals, Wren Boys, a Mummers Join, Cowboys and Heroes, and a Ploughing Championship competition. Sports are also covered, including Gaelic football, hurling, handball, athletics, marathons and boxing.

Educational activities from 2023 are presented, along with enterprise and industry. There is also an impressive list of high achievers scattered through the magazine, in this way highlighting the great talent in the county.

Poetry and prose sparkle in the magazine. There are poems by current writers and poems from many years ago. An intriguing poetry review links the works of Yeats and Keats to the issue of climate change, while a witty piece by Margaret Connolly uncovers amusing poems from several decades ago.

Among the prose pieces is historical fiction rooted in historical fact; lovely pieces by Gerry Bohan and Eamonn Duignan that will make you laugh; and two items linked to John McGahern (on pages 101 and 160).

High quality pieces by Leitrim school students are also included, along with articles on the current and historical provision of education in the county.

Religion, ecumenism and humanism are featured, with the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian communities mentioned for their charity work and cross community cooperation.

There are also two clarion calls: one about the Leitrim Community Car Scheme in financial difficulties; and the other about the risk of blanket afforestation in Leitrim, coupled with the collapse of rural towns and villages and shrinking population.

In summary the 2024 Leitrim Guardian is a great read and well worth the price of €15. It would also make a great gift for anyone with Leitrim connections, both those living in the county and those living outside it, including people living overseas.