Aaron Murphy, Sean Kiernan and Gary Hughes representatives of LBJJ Longford Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This weekend the Leader of LBJJ Sean and student Aaron will be contesting Mullingar’s Relentless Grappling Competition. Both in a strange twist of faith will be competing against the very same opponent. Aaron’s weight on average is 77kg, but has accepted to go up to 88 to compete this weekend. The only reason is only to test out new things he has been working on, to see if they work or not, if not to go back to the drawing board, it is just competitive testing. Also Aaron is fighting with Gi, I have just learnt about this term so you have to bear with me. Gi is with a suit, like a typical Karate outfit, it is more tricky and laboursome, because you can grapple using the opponent’s outfit. Sean will be competing with the same opponent without Gi, simply no outfit, with shorts and top, he is looking forward to it. Aaron is a graphic designer and Digital Content Designers at a leading company called Cora, he designed the graphic you see behind them, Longford’s own wolf pack. If anyone is interested in joining them it’s not all about competitions, you can use it as a fun way to get fit  in a relaxed easy going atmosphere or climb the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ladder belt wise. Every Tues & Thurs 8/9.30  Sandy Row, Richmond Street, Longford Town, County Longford, N39 A3X4.

Bumped into Longford local Liam who volunteers at Mary’s Meals pop up shop in Longford Town. A man of good faith, any problems you have no matter what they are Our Lord Jesus Christ is always there24/7 with you. Mary’s Meals is something everybody should be helping and be globally aware of such issues. Seeing my bike he was keen to say he was a cyclist also, but not as much as he use it, he once cycle to County Louth, doing a 100miles approx., he told me. Was keen to tell me about the dangers of cycling in a town, to have proper protective gear, but its a great sociable thing to do, you can meet the most extraordinary people, and nice to see young people take it up in groups. He went to the the old technological school that was on the Battery Rd. Longford Town.

The Longford County Choir had a service of Song and Word for peace in St Mel’s Cathedral last week on the 25th of Nov. Thanks to Father James who helped facilitate it and added some nice words in it also, and Gerry the sacristan who handed out with programs. Fintan Farrelly Organist and all the singers who sang beautifully made it a very special evening of song and words for peace. On the 18th of Dec the Longford County Choir is back in St Mel’s Cathedral, with a Christmas concert, if you missed out this time, put that date in your diary.

Visual artist Rodney Thornton looks at life through painting, was nice to see his approach to one of Irelands most photographed building ‘The Temple Bar’. You can follow Rodney’s vision on his Instagram page link below via Instagram screenshot just click on image to go direct.

Taylor Hayes, from Wicklow, got him just before he got his bus home rocking a unique style for the 50’s era fair play, an era everybody loves. Taylor busks in Dublin just for the love of playing music, if he is not doing that he rocks it with his band called Tommy Guns. Taylor a child of the 50’s thanks to his father, a big fan of the whole era. A genuine and nice guy, writes own music, hope he goes on to make it, and keeps that good energy he has and working hard at it he surely will

Longford hosted an event to celebrate black history month, culture, historical artifacts and music. Was a pleasure to hear about some of African musical history and the influence of it, and I had a great chat with a lovely Irish man in Jude Hughes, I captured some of it here at the black history month in Longford Town.

This house alongside the royal canal Longford, predates the royal canal. Belonging to Lennon family for 5 generations. Was modernised to be habitable for todays living. Would have been thatched, and the ruin in shot, was a forge, where Mike Lennon the now tenant’s grandfather mended gates and all things metal for the local farmers. The current tenant who wishes to keep private his first name, if known please do not share, but yes he is a Lennon. He came back to Longford to look after a couple of aunts, Mary Anne and Nora, who lived to 101 and 103, and a third aunt who came back at that time called Brigid who passed away eleven years ago at 95years. Never suffers the cold with three foot stone walls. Mike his grandfather was a ganger on the royal canal, from Dublin to where we stood in Longford end of it. He remembered Mary Anne when she was the other side of the canal, would bang on the stone wall with a stone, creating a reverberated sound, that went all the way to the house to alert whoever there to send across the square boat via pole, so she could cross over. Some of ye eagle eye peoples would remember a bridge, not so long ago, that led across this part of canal to the house, was taking away by council for the road he has to the house, on the promise they can take away the bridge. Also was long iron boat barge, that was marooned there, was taken away, and left near canal close to Kilashee village and dumped on dry land beside it. Would have been used for wood coal along the running and working Royal Canal. The left side he told me belonged to Waterways Ireland, where just across from him was a dumping ground for the silt they originally lifted and dumped, when building the canal, the right side belonged to the farmers. It was the first house built and last one standing, that was formerly under the stewardship of a Cootes family from England, its now in townland called Gragh. Not far beyond that, heading back to Longford Town, the bridge nearby, his side of it in the field on the left would have been a working windmill, owned by the Shaw family. The other side of canal and beyond the fields leads to Stonepark, he mentioned the word ‘Stray’. As in the olden times, nothing to do with fairies, the field the other side of the canal to his was nicknamed ‘Stray’. Some people going home in a dark evening, looked out for a light for direction, thinking your walking in one direction, only to end up straying way off, hundreds of yards away from where you thought you were. A lot of people walk this part of canal locally, and you may have noticed the apple tree has been plentiful. He leaves a bowl at the gate, filling it three times daily, free for anyone to take away. As I moved on, he went back to mending a gate, not unlike his late grandfather Mike Lennon

Posting this in honour of Billy Beahen RIP, an early blog of mine

Story Ville ‘’fine cut’’ Billy Beahen Born may 24th 1959 Dublin, Ballyfermot, De La Salle primary and post primary, city and guilds award, Crumlin college in hair dressing after schooling for two years. Family mother Elizabeth Joan, originally Kilmainham, father William, bluebell also Dublin, father was a crane operator and later went on to be a truck driver, mother stay at home mum and grandparents all lived in the same home, and Billy was in the middle of seven kids in the family three brothers and three sisters, oldest Almelda then Derek, Pauline, then Billy himself, then tony and Leo, and Siobhan. Started his career in hairdressing at young age helping many of the family hairdressing businesses, aunts and uncles had in Dublin, he started sweeping floors, making tea coffees for customers, and washing hair, His first cut was his father, as you can see in one of my photographs smiling at the memory, my father warned me to get it right. Travelled with a band to Spain, the band was called ‘Airport’, Ibiza was first great gig, was in a club called Portanax, they were taking on by a firm called Joe Walsh tours. we had played around Ireland first and Dublin, Ibiza which was a God send at such a young age and having no money to get payed our way playing music, and then onto India, new Delhi 1980 worked Taj Mahal hotel, where he had has 21st birthday, part of the show as well was ‘fiesta Philippine’s, which were models and dancers on tour, for Philippines tourist board, demonstrating Philippine’s modelling and traditional dance trying to get interest to travel there. Having met them he had made lifelong friendships which would propel my story ville project into life changing decisions and future of which he will treasure the rest of his life and beyond celestial path that hides life’s true meanings. He went home with the band, but after much soul searching, missing that friendship, he had he decided to do it alone and go on a vacation to visit his friends in the Philippines, he had met on tour, they had asked him to come to Philippine’s and only thinking on visiting for a short time but that turned into nine years, and thought that he would live there the rest of his life, even learnt the language of Philippines which is Tagalog. had a struck of luck meeting a representative from reeve salons, which had a series of hairdressing salons with a great name and highly respected, the reeve representative wished he join their prestigious team of hairdressing salons, they had in 5 star hotels, and not only that he was giving senior position, because of his qualifications. Was in Philippines Manila in 1981 where he was based for nine years, and in that time set up his own Blu & Co hair dressing salon. Opened his salon in Silahis international Hotel manila Philippines, mentioned in many newspapers, appeared in top hair styling seminars, showcasing new styles and techniques, to other professionals, highly regarded in his profession. He was principle hairdresser in many of BLU & CO’S expertise shows seminars, also sponsored by the Philippines hair design innovators guild, also judged competitions they held on many occasions. He also held seminars as a senior stylist for WELLA in the Philippines for hairdressers and cosmetologists association of the Philippines. Has four sons, raised in Philippines, Iggy 31 Liam 30 Jhay 28 Gerry 24, he learnt the language with the help of them growing up, he spoke it with his son Liam who is in Ireland now helping and eventually to take over from his father, Billy spoke the national language of Tagalog with consummate ease in front of me with his son as I was interviewing him, nothing short of impressive, and it got me thinking of how worldly Billy really is. And he has the most wonderful grandkids too, Angel 9 years Paris 6 years and Shane 3 years. Back to the story, he travelled to London Neasden 1990 to set up a business, a salon, the last unisex he had, which he tells me even to this day, that salon is still open in London, he was also a finalist in a TRESEMME competition in London 1990. It was in Neasden that he met his now wife Jean, they were in same apartment block, became friends, they soon found out they couldn’t be separated. On a few occasions having travelled home, they realised family were getting older, and they wanted to be closer to them, and made the decision to travel home, they searched for a new home, but seemed to priced out in many places, then they found their home here in the county of Longford Jeans county, and on tour of the town, he seen a rundown building, he thought ideal for a shop and opened billy’s barbers, and that was eighteen years ago 1995. It amazes me that a man with great skill and gift settles and has lived for the past 18 years in Longford, but success has never left him, his barbers, won golden scissors award in county for best barbers, when there was multiple barbers, and hairdresser’s in town, and an award for best creative style cut. As all know about that negative recession thingy we keep hearing about, Billy’s barbers, has stayed strong, and very much the local favourite, for all ages, having been to his barbers on numerous occasions, the genuine friendliness of his staff, which have been with him for nearly the length of time he has been open, a home from home great bond that goes beyond the boundaries of the work place, a place of great genuine warmth, far surpasses that of any other business I know which are cold and hated jobs. And off course the character himself, very rare they are so close and have a great bond with each other and it follows to the customers, who’s needs are all catered for, some have their favourite barber within the shop I know most of you will know this having been to his barbers, the only place your guaranteed the best cut, for whatever occasion from the man himself or his top staff. Speaking about his staff, there was a trainee, by the name of Rado, Slovakian, little or no English, billy was ever helpful, best to listen to the locals, speak as they do with confidence, learn listen listen to how they say things, ok and you will be alright. Billy smiled at the thought of what he was about to say, and I burst out laughing when I heard it , I was upstairs coming down and he came up and said to me ‘bed wetter, with full confidence and as surety, what did you say to me, bed wetter, wait wait, bed wetter, billy thought I have to find out what he means , went to the barbers floor to ask what Rado had overheard , found out, a gentleman just came in and had said to Rado ‘bad weather, billy said to staff and customer, what he just said to him ‘bed wetter, much to laughter of the whole floor customer and staff. Rado runs his own barbers back home now. Billy is also a big infamous supporter of Longford Town Football Club, but when it comes to GAA his heart will always run blue, big fan of sports in general and arts. I can’t tell this man’s story if I don’t mention Motorbikes, his first ride would have been on his brothers bike, he took without authority in his youth, he had on his travels in the early days , a Yamaha 500 and a Suzuki 125, I’ve been to Hong Kong, India Philippines Paris, I’ve seen some great scenery that was inspiring, and today his beloved motorbike is a Honda vtx1300 twin engine, nothing like it, the open road the freedom, you can’t get with a car, you miss out on so much, you don’t see with a car what you would with a motor bike, you see a lot more, I’ve been many places in the world, and Ireland is up there with beauty. And the reason I have chosen, Billy Beahen, as one of my story ville project, is closely related to his heart, motorbikes, but all started with a friend Joe Finney, introduced him to a charity, the Bethany house for women and children refuge in Longford Town on the Dublin road, what started with a simple gesture, has grown from an acorn to a tree, uses his sources within the motorbike society, the more I learn about them, big softy’s with huge hearts, there are many bikers groups throughout Ireland, and the more I talked about that with Billy, the more he told me about what they do, and they all pull together for each other for many charitable drives which has to be noted, the motor bike society are owned great respect for their actions I cannot say that highly enough. Billy has told me of a couple he has been helping besides his own charitable works, the Dsi run in aid of down syndrome Ireland, run by Aiden Lynam, and to date that organisation through Aiden has raised, in the time since they started, raised around 1 million euros, and other charitable drives Billy has helped and helps with, suicide awareness, and the strokes town bikers raise monies for the mayo and Roscommon hospice. Billy taken on his charitable drive to heart and once every year organises a xmas run to Bethany house and also St. Martha’s refuge for men, he also stops off at Mullingar hospital to the children’s ward dropping off gifts with the man himself Santy in toe, he was also helped with last year’s run with the Longford arms hotel through Orla Reynolds, and off course the biker groups throughout Ireland who start from Longford and ride to Mullingar where they are greeted by a Garda convoy and taken to the hospital to go to the children’s ward. I was first introduced to Billy via the multimedia love or hate it Facebook, he knew of me, as a photographer or knowing I kind of knew about photos as in water marks, he has a page, with some great haircuts posted in albums, he seen to his shock one of his own photos ‘being one of his hair cuts’ being used on another page to get customers for another barbers across the world, Billy happened to known who he was because Billy had trained him, Billy asked me how can you watermark photos, I was glad to help him out and offered to do it for him, and I seen he was doing a charity raising day around Halloween, all the staff where to be dressed in various garb for one day, and I asked could I shoot them doing it, sounded like such a cool idea, he was ok for that and that can be seen in one of Billy’s albums on his page on Facebook Billy’s Barbers. I have to say the true test of a man, any man, is a man that can stand on his two feet, let’s be truthful to ourselves how many can say to have done that and been successful, as a young man travelled with a band at a young age, had the fall back of the friends within the band, very young to know the real pitfalls of life when it more than one long party almost, not saying it was, but it did give him a taste of something else bigger than if he had to have stayed at home, being limited to the norm, the so called norm, and the great pressure to fit in, and I dare say he would have felt that on his way home from India. He took the plunge and jumped ship, like Achilles, when asked of what he wanted, greatness he said as was granted with a short life, but Billy’s wasn’t to be short, and greatness was thrusted upon him for his courage, Billy wasn’t looking for greatness, it was looking and waiting for him when he travelled by ocean and land, and a pinch of luck, but only to show the world the gift and talent this man had and still has, I can testify to that, only the other day, the date, 1st day of march 2013, I seen, like a scene in Edward Scissor hands the genius at work and in no time at all, created a tribal cut on a young man, the young gentleman knowing his fame for it, asked for Billy, and I took a photograph because I was there talking to him about his life and I wanted to do his handy work justice, he allowed me, and that can be seen on the Facebook page. But akin to Achilles, I say not, I say greater, upon meeting Achilles in hades a hero of mine with no less of a tragedy Heracles or known as Hercules, upon meeting Achilles in hades, Achilles was mournful, well you would wouldn’t you in hell, but it was more than that, Achilles was asked would he have changed his actions in life, was it worth the wretches of hell, for the hero status he fought for, he said, a simple family and home and land to work on, knowing what I know now I would desire. My subject in this story Billy Beahen, was more, humble is his middle name I had to dig dig dig to get to know the man behind the face, he hides well what he has achieved, great fame in Philippines cutting the rich and famous, but you wouldn’t know it, boy or man having been to his barbers for whatever length of time his customers have been there, a sensitive soul that has a huge heart protected with a hard veneer, tis why I started my story ville project, to show the world, ordinary heroes, they are the real heroes unknown, I wish them known and an inspiration to all, only takes a few gestures small bit of your time and everyone can be a hero, Billy forsake fame, and settled yes in Longford Town, and in a non-descript building, at the start, but now a part of the towns heart, for eighteen years a place for a confident good haircut and a pleasant friendly chat if you wish from a great bunch of staff, he did all this for family and the love of his beloved jean. Billy loves and greatly respects the industry he works in, he is currently teaching his son Liam, who is a qualified English teacher and musician, the trade, but he starts where Billy has done, sweeping floors and making tea coffees, I know he has made me many since I started this, much like his father, a top bloke, if his father teaches him half of what he knows, all the better for Longford in years to come, Billy is staunchly a family man, and travels when he can for lengths of time to Philippines to visit his family and grandkids, always in contact with them . Like to thank Billy and his staff for their time and patience with photos and me grabbing the master away from floor, and wish them every success for the next twenty years and more. Links: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Billys-Barbers/336931463054068 Link to Bethany house info below http://www.longfordcic.ie/organisations.php?action=1&cat_id=8&id=230 And St Martha’s men refuge Longford info on below link http://svp.ie/about-us/what-we-do/hostels/longford.aspx Rev Up Dsi link and info on the motorcycle challenge in aid for Down syndrome http://revup4dsi.ie/about/