A Facebook page – Laois People Worldwide – has amassed over 4,400 followers in a matter of weeks.
The page is the brainchild of Portlaoise man Jack McDonald, known to many through his work on Laois genealogy.
“It is going very well and there is far more interest in it than I expected,” Jack explained.
“I saw a page, Ireland People Worldwide and I said to myself I would love to set one up for Laois people around the world,” the retired prison officer said.
Jack is hoping it will continue to be a forum for people to share photographs and stories. He has posted a number of old stories which he has collected over the years, but he is keen not to have it too text heavy.
“It is a great opportunity for people to share photos which haven’t been seen before,” he said.
“A lot of young people are looking at old photographs of their grandparents and are getting great enjoyment from it,” Jack said.
Fashion
He explained that the fashion of yesteryear has proved to be a particular source of amusement.
He says photos are not meant to be stored away and should be available to view. Recently he met up with a woman who had 10,000 black and white photographs in her possession.
He also has 10 CDs of photographs dating back decades.
So far the Facebook page has reached all around the globe with stats showing members around Ireland and as far away as Mexico and various cities in Australia, New Zealand and USA.
He says he is delighted with the response the Facebook page has received.
“I am enjoying every minute of it. I love it,” he said.
The Facebook page can be found here and is a closed group which means you will have to apply to be able to join it.
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