WHEN the history of the West of Ireland will be written, there are several names that will deserve to be there, but one name that is often overlooked is the great John Healy.
John, who was born in Charlestown spent his life in journalism, working with various local west of Ireland papers, before eventually ending up with the Irish Times, no mean achievement in the days when very few out-side the Pale would have even been considered capable of writing an advert for such a prestigious publication, never mind becoming a full-time journalist with them. Even though he rose to the very top of his profession in Dublin, John Healy never forgot his rural west of Ireland roots and while physically he may have had to spend most of his working life in the Capital, his heart and soul seldom left Charlestown, Achill and various other parts of Mayo that he always held dear.
His definite book "No One Shouted Stop (Death of an Irish Village)" is considered by many to have sown the very early seeds of the Celtic Tiger and definitely would be universally acknowledged as a classic piece of socio-literary research.
Death of an Irish Village chronicled times in and around Charlestown when there was nothing for young people except the two Rs, the Road and the Rail out of there as fast as they could. Of course, the same was true for every other rural town in Ireland.
It was one thing for John to write about these issues, but what he also gave us in "No One Shouted Stop" were solid ideas and reasons as to how this brain-drain could end and directions as to why it should never be allowed to happen again which makes "No One Shouted Stop", a must-read for anyone who is remotely interested in saving rural communities.
Healy Awards - Celtic Tiger
Thankfully, with the era of the so-called Celtic Tiger, such problems as John chronicled in his writings down through the years no longer affect us, however, some would argue that the Tiger has brought its own set of problems and difficulties which may require the talents of a 21st century scribe to bring to the people.
That's where members of the media can now shine. In association with the Western Development Commission, the John Healy Media Awards have become the Oscars for journalists and broadcasters all across the region.
Former winners include Jim Fahy from RTE, Daragh O'Keefe from the Farmers Journal and our very own Liamy McNally for an excellent documentary "From Ballinaboy to Bacton". Incidentally Liamy has won three separate awards in the local radio category over the years.
The awards are open to those who work in local print, local radio, national print, national radio and TV and the photographic award for images of the Western Region.
Closing date for receipt of entries is Tuesday, 14th March and further details can be obtained by logging onto the website www.wdc.ie
