103 year old Wexford Woman Contributes to Folklore Collection Project

A highlight was reached recently in a project ongoing as part of the activities programme of St. John’s Community Hospital in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford and featuring collection of folklore material from its residents.

Bridie Buckley, a native of Courtnacuddy and who is looking forward to her 104^th birthday later this year, recorded an interview with artist, filmmaker and founder of the Folklore.ie online resources Michael Fortune.

Since being born there in 1922, Bridie has lived all her life in the Davidstown/Courtnacuddy parish and is full of knowledge and stories relating to that rural part of Co. Wexford.

Bridie was just 38 years old in 1961 when her husband Frank Buckley unfortunately passed away. Thereafter Bridie worked the family homestead herself alongside her son Seán and daughter Mary. Three years ago, Bridie celebrated her 100^th birthday at a function in the Millenium Bar, Davidstown, joined by Seán, Mary, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Seán, who had been living in Kilanne and was himself a contributor to Folklore.ie online resources, passed away a year later.

Staff at St. John’s Community Hospital in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford report that Bridie Buckley loves reading and prefers that and her word search puzzles to watching television!

Over the last two decades, Michael Fortune’s work has come to national and international attention through his features documenting oral history, place-based recordings, furniture and farm gates from Co. Wexford, other parts of Ireland and Newfoundland, Canada. In addition to publications and programmes made with RTÉ, the online archive of Folklore.ie to date includes over 300 video clips and over 1,500 other recordings.

Opened in 2009 as a replacement for the adjacent old St. John’s, the Community Hospital in Enniscorthy was purpose built to provide long-term accommodation for up to 103 residents. St. John’s Community Hospital provides long-term residential care, rehabilitation, transitional care, respite and a Day Centre for Older People in the local community. The residential care centre is divided into four units (the Beech, Elm, Ivy and Oak wards).

Setting the ongoing involvement with Folkore.ie in context, Nurse Activities Co-ordinator at St. John’s Community Hospital (SJCH) Mary Fox says:

“We have a comprehensive and varied therapeutic and recreational activity programme in SJCH. A cohesive team led by nurse management has valued support from the Friends of St. John’s Hospital committee, our volunteers and two Community Employment Schemes. The residents and staff love to see Michael Fortune come in. One cannot underestimate the basic value of enjoying a chat, sharing one’s experience and our activity programme is further enriched by the involvement with Folklore.ie”

Director of Nursing Deepa George adds:

“St. John’s Community Hospital, as a residential care facility, is deeply appreciative of the support we receive from families and the wider community throughout Co. Wexford. The involvement with Michael Fortune and the Folklore.ie project is a wonderful connection for SJCH to have and a mutually beneficial aspect of our activities programme.”

Community Employment Supervisor Margot Banville-Hogan, who was interviewed along with Bridie Buckley said all the residents, staff and friends of St. John’s Community Hospital looked forward to hearing and seeing Bridie’s contribution.