Smyth facilitates donation of €1000 for Bailieborough

Local Fianna Fáil County Councillor, Niamh Smyth helped to secure a donation of €1000 from renowned Japanese academic, Prof. Naoyuki Mizuno from the University of Kyoto for the refurbishment of the old Church of Ireland graveyard in Bailieborough.

Prof. Naoyuki Mizuno who visited Bailieborough last year and who will be a principal speaker at the 2010 Henry James Literary Festival in early September wanted to provide this donation as a token of the respect he has for the local community here in Bailieborough.

Prof. Mizuno who is an expert on the life and works of Henry James visited last year and found some of the graves of Henry James’s ancestors and felt that the graveyard should be developed to ensure that their memory is preserved.

Speaking after the presentation of the cheque to Ref. Joyce Rankin at their Summer BBQ on Sat 26th June, Cllr. Smyth said ‘I was delighted to have been able to facilitate this donation. I know that Rev. Rankin and her parish will put it to great use and when Prof. Mizuno visits later this year, he will see that his donation was of great benefit to preserving the memory of the James Family in Bailieborough’

The Henry James Literary Festival will run from Friday 3rd September until Sunday 5th September and will include a children’s drama based production on the works on Henry James by Cavan playwright, Noel Monaghan. Minister Mary Hanafin TD – Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport will also be in attendance.