From Coppeen to Classis

Social History Journal

October 2017

FOREWORD BY

Deirdre Bourke, Chairperson KHAA – 2017

Kilmurry Historical and Archaeological Association (KHAA) have been involved with collecting and showing the history of this area – the people and the place for more than fifty years. It is with immense satisfaction that we are putting on the third in a series of temporary exhibitions showcasing the social history of employment in the locality. As Chairperson of the KHAA, I am delighted to be part of this process. From Coppeen to Classis: The story of Stone. Sand and Gravel in the Bride Valley, tells the story of the owners, employers and employees of a key local industry. This journal has been designed to sit alongside the exhibition and act as a reminder of just how widespread the local involvement in this industry has been.

Museum Archive

KHAA believe that it is important to collect information on the social history of the people in this area, who they were, the schools they attended, their employment and work, their leisure activities. These all form part of the museum archive. As with the previous two successful exhibitions, on Bellmount Mills in 2015, and Creameries in Our Community 1890 To Present Day exhibition in 2016, we have gathered photographs and stories as widely as we could because we believe it is these that make the important connections for people. We are extremely grateful to all those that made these available to us. Having a commemorative journal for one of this exhibition is a new departure for us. Several people have said to us that they would have liked to have been able to have something to show to members of the family or neighbours who were unable to attend the exhibition themselves. I hope you will find the material in this journal of interest.

Lectures and Field Trips

Many of you will have already visited our permanent display downstairs but those of you that haven’t would be most welcome, either today or one of the seven afternoons a week that we are open. Others of you may have attended one of our lectures or field trips which cover a wide range of topics. The museum and our temporary exhibitions are run by volunteers and we are always looking for people to get involved. This temporary exhibition has been put together by a small team led by Michael Goulding who works tirelessly to gather the information, photographs and artefacts on the social history of the area. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him and his team for their hard work. I would also like to thank our sponsors for their support. I hope you enjoy

From Coppeen to Classis