This Christmas marks a very special milestone, 25 years of the Ballinacree Historical Society website, an online resource that has connected people to the history, heritage, and stories of Ballinacree since it was first launched at Christmas 2001.

From the beginning, the website was created as a way to share local history beyond parish boundaries. What started as a small online collection of photographs and documents soon grew into a living archive, one that continues to reach readers across Ireland and around the world.

A Christmas Tradition of Sharing History

Since its launch at Christmas 2001, the website has developed a tradition of adding new material throughout the year but especially at this time of year. Each Christmas brings fresh stories, photographs, memories, and research, a seasonal gift of history for readers near and far, many of whom look forward to seeing what new discoveries or recollections will appear.

This tradition reflects the spirit in which the website was created: to share, to remember, and to keep Ballinacree’s story alive.

A Window into Ballinacree’s Past

Over the past 25 years, the website has preserved and shared a wealth of material, old photographs, historical articles, family histories, school records, folklore, and personal memories that bring Ballinacree’s past to life.

Visitors from all five continents have explored the site, many of them descendants of Ballinacree families who emigrated long ago but continue to feel a strong connection to their roots. Through the website, families have rediscovered lost photographs, renewed old connections, and shared memories that might otherwise have faded with time. Indeed, many visitors from abroad have gone a step further, travelling to Ireland and visiting Ballinacree in person to walk the places their ancestors once knew.

A special word of thanks is due to Seamus, who has generously given his time over many years to welcome these visitors personally. Seamus has met countless families, shared local records, assisted with genealogical research, answered enquiries from abroad, visited graveyards, and helped people piece together their family histories with care and patience.

Growing and Evolving

In 2018, the website was refreshed and expanded, allowing long-established favourites to sit alongside new research and contributions. This balance between preserving the past and embracing new material has ensured the website remains relevant, engaging, and accessible.

As the website continues to grow, we warmly invite readers to become part of its future. Do you have memories of life in Ballinacree, old photographs, family documents, letters, school records, or stories passed down through generations? Perhaps you have carried out research of your own, or uncovered a family connection you would like to share. Every contribution, no matter how small it may seem, helps to enhance the archive and ensure that local history is preserved.  By sharing your material, you help keep the story of Ballinacree alive, not just as a record of the past, but as a living history shaped by the people who remember it.  If you would like to contribute or make an enquiry, please contact us at ballinacree.history@gmail.com

With Thanks to Our Community

This 25-year milestone is, above all, a celebration of people.

Our sincere thanks go to:

• Our website readers, at home and abroad, whose interest and encouragement sustain the site.
• Contributors, who generously shared photographs, documents, stories, and articles, trusting them into the care of the Society.
• Volunteers and members, past and present, who researched, wrote, digitised, curated, and maintained the website over the years.
• Families and friends of Ballinacree, whose memories and support continue to enrich the archive.

Without this collective effort, the website would not exist.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate 25 years since that first Christmas launch, we look forward to the years ahead. The Ballinacree Historical Society website remains committed to preserving local history, welcoming new contributions, and continuing the Christmas tradition of sharing fresh material with readers everywhere.

Thank you to everyone who has visited, read, contributed, and supported the website over the past 25 years.

Ballinacree Historical Society, December 2025