PICTURES: All smiles as Woodstock book launches in Athy Library

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Woodstock Castle Press is a new Community Publishing Initiative established in 2024 by artists Mark Durkan and Mary Jo Gilligan and Rose Doyle.

Chairperson of Athy West Urban Community Group in collaboration with the communities of the Woodstock area Athy.

Woodstock Castle Press was set up to serve as a platform to explore, celebrate and give voice to the communities of Woodstock.

Following a series of mini-publications called “Woodstock” that highlight different aspects of heritage in Woodstock, such as architecture, flowers, the River Barrow, and sport to name a few, the “WOODSTOCK” book gathers all these aspects and together with brand new material forms a beautiful new hardback book. 

Rose welcomed the large crowd in attendance and gave insightful context to the project of establishing publishing in the area.

Music from Woodstock musicians kicked off proceedings. Carmel Day sang ‘Song For Ireland’ with Robert Chanders accompanying on guitar and Robert followed this with a song ‘The Famous Fair Town of Athy’ passed to him by musician Dinny Langton.

Mark Durkan explained that the three books available to see during the evening were special artisan editions that had been hand bound by new local craft business Squushed.  

Regular hardback copies can be ordered at cost price online through the Woodstock Castle Press website https://www.woodstockcastlepress.ie/ and copies will be donated to Athy library for everyone to see and enjoy.

Mary Jo Gilligan shared some thoughts on the vibrant energy and beauty of Woodstock.

Funders of the artist residency that brought Mark and Mary Jo to Woodstock in 2023, Eilish Langton of Creative Places Athy, Maria Healy of Slainte Care Heathy Communities Athy and Jason Leigh of Empowering Communities also said a few words in praise of the Woodstock community.

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Artist and archeologist Marc Guernon and historian Clem Roche joined Mark Durkan to give their expert insights into Woodstock Castle. Marc Guernon’s original paintings feature in the book and Clem Roche grew up opposite the castle each offering unique local perspectives.

Young writer and Woodstock resident Nathan Cunningham attended with his parents Jamie and Greg. Nathan was invited up to take a bow on the evening in recognition of him writing his own book, his life story so far, inspired by the Woodstock book.

The atmosphere was warm and brimming with enthusiasm for the heritage of the Woodstock area. There was a sense of achievement and excitement for future possibilities in the air of thy library. As the saying goes ‘Woodstock, good stock’.

Woodstock Castle Press emerged out of the Creative Places Athy Woodstock Artists Residency.