Fr Des Wilson Audio Diary 30th May 1973
Fr Des advised everyone he met to record their story, for their family to look back on or to be deposited in a community archive. He kept his own diary’s both written and recorded. At night he would retire to his bedroom at the top of his three story house, smoke 2 Gauloises French cigarettes,…
Fr Des Wilson Audio Diary August 1971
Fr Des advised everyone he met to record their story, for their family to look back on or to be deposited in a community archive. He kept his own diary’s both written and recorded. At night he would retire to his bedroom at the top of his three story house, smoke 2 Gauloises French cigarettes,…
St John’s Parish Bulletin Archive
The St John’s – Corpus Christi Parish Bulletin archive is a valuable collection of historical records that provides a glimpse into the past of West Belfast, with a particular focus on the parish of St John’s and Corpus Christi and the Ballymurphy area. The 43 editions in the archive offers a wealth of information and…
Register of Baptisms Archive
Welcome to Springhill Community House Register of Baptisms Archive Welcome to Springhill Community House Register of Baptisms Archive! We are thrilled to present to you a rich collection of historical records, meticulously preserved by Fr Des Wilson. Our archive delves into the cherished history of Springhill Community House and the 388 children baptised by Fr…
The Peoples Archive – Fr Des Wilson
It was great to be in the company of so many friends at a presentation of Fr Des’ archive in St Comgalls School. Thanks to Falls Community Council for hosting us today in their beautifully renovated St Comgall’s School. It was a fitting venue for the exhibition and presentation. On Display were just a few…
Fr Des – The Way He Saw It.
Springhill Community House would like to thank Vincent Kinnaird for his labour of love film Fr Des – The Way He Saw It which was screened on NVTV this evening. Vincent is a local film maker/producer from West Belfast, his father Seamus was originally from Ballymurphy and I’m sure crossed paths with Des somewhere in…
Back to the Future Family Fun day.
Springhill Community House is Celebrating 50 years of delivering much needed education and health services at the heart of the Community. To celebrate our achievements and thank our community we held a Back to the Future Fun Day featuring some 1970’s festival favourites including football, cribby, rounders, 50+ tea party, bingo, bouncy castles and a…
Official Launch of The People’s Archive – Fr Des Wilson
It was great to see so many friends at the launch of The People’s Archive – Fr Des Wilson in Conway Education Centre. As well as an amazing exhibition of posters, photographs, and artifacts we were treated to a presentation by Springhills archivist Tiarnan O’Muilleoir who gave an outline of the archive project and examples…
Remembering Noelle Ryan
Remembering Noelle on the 8th anniversary of her passing. Noelle Ryan was a remarkable human being who always saw the good in people. She dedicated her life to the service of the people of Belfast. Originally from Dublin Noelle joined a Domician convent in Drogheda, it was an enclosed order that had no direct communication…
Happy 50th Anniversary Springhill Community House.
In August, 1966, at a few days’ notice, Bishop William Philbin removed Fr Des Wilson from his post as Spiritual Director at St. Malachy’s College and sent him to St. John’s on the Falls Road – as a junior curate with responsibility for Whiterock-Ballymurphy, one of the most deprived areas in Western Europe at the…
Ballymurphy Massacre Inquest Verdict
Brief Summary of Justice Keegan’s verdict. INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT Fr Hugh Mullan & Frank Quinn both were “innocent men” , use of force was “clearly disproportionate” and violation of article 2, investigation was inadequate. They were shot by the military and were unarmed. Joan Connolly, Noel Philips, Joseph…
Great oaks from little acorns grow.
Great oaks from little acorns grow. “Just as the acorn contains the mighty oak tree, the Self has everything it needs to fulfill its destiny. When the inner conditions are right, it naturally emerges.” Derek Rydall This is National Tree Week, 21st – 27th March 2021. Organised by the Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte,…
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh. The story of Saint Patrick is fascinating from boy slave to Patron Saint of Ireland. He was born into either a Scottish or English family in the fourth century. He was captured as a teenager by Niall of the Nine Hostages who was to become a King of all Ireland….
Community Rescue Service
Springhill Community House were delighted to welcome Dominic and Kerry from the Community Rescue Service to collect aromatherapy packs for their volunteers. The Community Rescue Service is a Charitable organisation operated by volunteers from communities across Northern Ireland. They are doing an amazing job and we were delighted to thank them for what they do….