The Midfield Development Association are trying to raise money to develop their local school and have published a book A Story Told to Us Last Night, using folklore stories from 1937-38 National Folklore Collection, plus stories from the children attending Midfield School in 2010. it contains stories told to children by their grandparents and parents of the way things used to be, and features stories in the children's own handwriting. The book was launched on 25th June in Midfield, Swinford, Co. Mayo, the same night as the launch of the website: www.midfield-development.ie.
The book will be featured at the Milwaukee Irish Fest in August, and will also be on sale in Ballina (including the Salmon Festival on Heritage day in July), Castlbar, Swinford, Westport Summer festival on Heritage day, Co. Mayo as well as online through the website. The Midfield Development Association is a small community, but with a great spirit, and have not let current government cut-backs stop them from achieving a better school for their children. Midfield people never forget their roots. The stories in the book are universal and can be enjoyed by anyone that has an interest in Irish Folklore.
There is a lot of interest in the book nationally, and announcements have already appeared on two radio stations, one national and the other local. Using the monies raised from a twenty-four hour auction last year (which achieved the Guinness Book of World Records record for the most items auctioned in twenty-four hours), a donation from the late Mary Golden and monies from the book, the group plans on building a multi-purpose room onto the school. There is a lot of rain in the coast of Ireland and as the school currently has no gym the children have no where to play when it rains.
The book can be ordered online at a cost of: softcover, $24.00 and hardcover, $35.00 plus p&p. The book is slightly bigger than letter, and has 240 pages.
