New book of old photographs launched by Westmeath Independent

A new book of old photos of Westmeath has been published by the Westmeath Independent and Westmeath Examiner.

With close to 200 pictures from Athlone and South Westmeath, there's plenty of local interest in “Life Through the Lens”, a glossy 230-page publication, which is now avaiable for sale, price €15, from local shops.

 

A rare photo of a fair day in The Fairgreen, Athlone, taken from the steeple of St Mary's Church, Athlone.

Like an episode of Reeling In The Years, this book can create a yearning for the past, as it shows a way of life now gone. This is a “snapshot” of a time when people travelled the county to dance to live bands; when huge numbers were involved in political parties; when participation in the Catholic Church was taken for granted – and when mobile phones, the internet, Tinder and Snapchat were all into the future. 
Sport was popular – but there was less participation than today; and women’s sport was less of a force than today.
Many of those involved in community life in that era are still involved today – but what the photos cruelly display is how quickly time passes. Inevitably, many of those who feature in the pages of Life Through the Lens are no longer with us, and what this publication does is remind us of them; of their place in Westmeath life and Westmeath’s social history.
For anyone from Westmeath, this book would make a great gift – serving as a reminder of faces and places from a not-too-distant past. It’s a happy book and full or surprises – but there is a touch of poignancy too to the contents of its pages.