Brosna’s Night of a Thousand ‘All’ Stars

In early for the big launch on Friday evening were from left: Ellen Cronin, Ita Lane, Marie Daly and Catherine Doran. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Guest and former Kerry great, Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston being welcomed to Brosna by native and Kerry County GAA Board chairman, Tim Murphy as Brosna based photographer, Paudie Kelly captures the moment. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Standing room only in Brosna Parish Hall as the launch of the long awaited book, ‘The Story of Brosna GAA’ gets under way on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Locals and guests pictured before the book launch of ‘The Story of Brosna GAA’ on Friday evening. Included are guests: Seán Walsh and Eoin Liston with: Tim Murphy, Kerry County GAA Board chairman; John Sheehan, Brosna GAA Club chairman; Johnny Stack, Moyvane and John Cronin, event compere. Photo by John Reidy

The authors: Anne (left) and Carl Nash with Mary Scanlon and Mary Kiely with the poster for their creation, The Story of Brosna GAA before its launch on Friday evening. © Photograph: John Reidy

Brosna Hall, decked in glorious tangerine and white, festooned with senior jerseys from by-gone eras, became the epicentre of a night of celebration that was both jubilant and moving.

By Mairead Moriarty

The Story of Brosna GAA, two years in the creation, finally made its debut. This remarkable book, spanning 130 years of parish history was unveiled by Kerry legends, Eoin Liston and Sean Walsh on Friday night.

From Brosna to Croke Park

George Guiney (90) was one of the throng who filled the hall to capacity. George had famously cycled from Brosna to Croke Park in 1953 to cheer on Kerry.

He got a standing ovation when his story was mentioned by the excellent MC of the evening John Cronin.

And how fitting that a Kerry GAA fan of such dedication like George would have an opportunity to meet both Eoin and Sean.

Woven Through Parish Life

I suppose if there is one theme of the book and of the evening itself it’s that there’s a thread that is woven through all parish life.

It is a thread infused with pride, resilience, honour and faith.

Through political upheavals and social change it is what binds everyone together. Brosna is one such parish united under its tangerine and white flag with citizens standing side by side – proud of Brosna and there for one another.

Room Filled with Love

Eoin Liston summed up the evening in his closing address to the crowd. “This room is filled with love tonight – love of your parish.”

You know what ? I couldn’t have put it better myself.

You can see the launch on video with a click on the link here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=673223169820404

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