Jemma Cowan
Stone Park originally, now living in Longford Town itself. Schooled in Stone Park National School, Then onto Convent.
Studied for a year, nutritional studies to be an adviser on same said subject. ''I worked in the health shop in town, Golden Health Store,  until i became a single mother''.
''Parents 'Martin 'Teffia, Longford Town' & Gillian 'Birmingham, Mohill' Cowan.
'My father played music for the family at gatherings, Christmas and the like. I remember always fondly, in my youth i was always close to my father when he played the guitar. He taught himself, and also was a DJ for a time, playing a few gigs around town. 
My mother also had a great influence on me with, Psychology, Philosophy. Their was a shelf full of such books and has myself still study many sources, for philosophy, and closest religion to me would be Buddhism'. also my mother was Herself a lady of many talents, plays piano, accordion, violin, guitar, and also adapt at painting portraits.
Creative family, played off on me. 'from age of seven, I was writing, my own songs, and also, just writing writing writing . I loved to write, but school curtailed that'. 'I am, very passionate about health, Nutritional benefits of what we eat, is very important. Bit of a hobbyist, I must say, I do also bake. I have a page on Facebook for my baking creations. Decorative cakes, I love family and friends reactions when i give them a cake. I do it for the fun of it and joy on peoples faces, and to develop more skills in life. Last memorable one i did was for my father, i did a little man on top of cake with a guitar. The page is Jemma's Cakes.
'another big thing in my life is singing, music. Grandparents Tommy & Margaret 'Hughes' Cowan, both Longford Town and Teffia. Margaret is an honouree member of the theatre locally, formally  chairperson. Got me involved with the musical society, when they did production on  The King & I, when I was young, gave me the theatre bug thought wow, love to get involved with something like this. And the opportunity arose and I thought, I have to go for it. There was additions for a musical show, and director and choreographer where there. I was last person to audition, does to really help the nerves, but I stormed it. I do do singing, and I had to sing in front of them and a smaller crown being them. I just thought fxxk it, and just sang and got lost in the song I was signing, I was lost in the moment I loved it, and was very happy with myself,  first time I ever really let myself go, and I got a part in it. That the big show here locally in backstage theatre the Adams Family that was a total sell out show.
Years ago, I went through a bout of depression and anxiety. Took a long while to get out of it. Learnt a lot about myself, and it adversely helped me be a stronger person i am today. I have a great respect for anybody that pulls themselves out of anxiety, it is a very tough thing to do, but great thing to do. I have two brothers  David and Mark, and two sisters Nicole and Amy.
I also wish to write a novel. Get back into writing, reminds of a time I was on holiday, in Croatia when I was 19. Out on evening, there was a lady on her, whom decided to go out dancing as if she was dancing with somebody. People started to laugh point and mock her. I thought was poignant thing, people don't know why she was doing that, I think there was a good reason she was doing that, a past lover, a partner that passed away. I hate to judge anybody, but many are so quick to say bad things, out of ignorance or stupidity.
Which reminds me of one of my favourite quotes, 'what you think of me is none of my business'.
And i am also determined to do something with my life, many see single mothers and think that is all they are, I'm determined to fxxk that up and break the stigma. I love my son Adam to bits, i bringing him up on a positive growth, to help him love himself. Also to help him with a great start and give him a healthy balance to food, give him good habits from the beginning. Family is a great supportive thing to have, i am lucky have, so many so close to me, and we all help each other out.
I have family that are doing well for themselves, distant relative Alison Cannavan, whom has her own very good blog going. Also Adam O'Reagan, who is in a band, whom are getting a bit of notoriety in Dublin, headlining Vicar Street is no mean feat they are called Little Green Cars. I asked this lovely lady what her thoughts on Philosophy
Love Yourself, learn to lover yourself, healthy respect for yourself. Flaws etc., there is only one of you, own that
https://www.facebook.com/littlegreencars
​http://alisoncanavan.com/
​https://www.facebook.com/jemmycakeslongford/?fref=ts

Tony Whelan
Alienage Carriglass
went to St Michaels the tech for a couple of years, went straight to work Denistons bicycle shop, also mechanical and some electrical work
settled down straight away wasn't very Add to dictionary he said. Bumped into tony outside tescos today, was collecting for Mary's Meals.
Mary's Meals, founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow. Visited Malawi during a famine and met a mother dying with aids. Talking to her eldest son, 'what his dreams were in life. He replied 'I want to have enough food to eat and go to school one day''.
From feeding 200 kids in places of learning, to now 1 million across four continents. A low cost international organisation . At least 93 cent from 1 euro goes to charitable work.
Tony is a Christian and a practising one he says. Its about being Christian all the time.
Leaving me with the following ''try to live a decent life..
​

Eamonn Kiernan
Colmcille originally, Edgeworthstown now, went to the tech, Templemichael college, after serving his time in St Joseph's  Longford Town, as most of us did prior to primary School. Mechanic was his main trade. Worked out by Athlone road, where flynns is now. Had a few other jobs throughout his working career from forestry to also doing a bread run for Brennan's also worked for Gerard builders. Parents Joseph 'Colmcile Cavan' & Kathleen 'MacManus /  Co.Kerry'.
Since 1964, I have been doing this now every year, pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick.
left me with the following advice
''Just Soldier On''

Fair City's Tom Jordan  'Charlie Kelly'

​Tom Jordan and his beloved wife. Bumped into this lovely gentleman, shopping. didn't want to disturb him to much, going about his business. But I did ask for one quick photo, to which he kindly obliged. it was one of them moments, when you instantly recognise, someone, You wonder, I know him. When I heard the accent, Fair City. I approached him, are you your man from the TV, ''I am. I went on to ask, was he visiting, would he mind a quick Photograph, I gave him my details via Business Card. If your reading this Tom, Thank you ever so kindly and your lovely wife, for allowing a quick photo. He told me, he wasn't visiting, but that he lives here now.  Still plays the character 'Charlie Kelly' in the Irelands favourite soap. And did a little research, I have read up on him, and thanks to Independent and Irelands Own for original quotes. I learnt he moved to the border of  Our Fair County, for peace and quiet. the opposite to Dublin, where he lived for 77years, doesn't feel safe anymore, and feels threatened, in his own beloved City.
Sold his house and moved out, in the piece written I seen via Independent and Irelands Own, he spoke of, 'The manner of the way people communicate now, compared to the back in to the Country, where the neighbours know your name, and talk to you. There was a time I could walk the city at night, but you cant anymore, just felt very threatened. Its Not that there isn't good people in Dublin, far from it and he still has many friends their, and many good people. I grew up Marino, and lived in Beaumont for 50years with wife and six children. last year moved out to the country side, beside the Shannon Lanesborough Roscommon.
'I love the West Of Ireland, only two hours away form Galway'. still does filming for the Irish Soap off course Fair city few times a year.
​Credit to Independent and Irelands Own
​http://www.rte.ie/drama/tv/featured/faircity/
http://www.independent.ie/
https://www.irelandsown.ie/product/irelands-own-magazine-subscription/