As well as featuring the many highlights of the 60 proud years of the association's existence, the book contains many interesting and diverse articles on topics from Laois to Dublin to Australia, as well as the 1949 All Ireland Hurling Final, it boasts "innumerable photographs from the annals of the Association's history".

The book was published to great acclaim late last year in Croke Park at the association celebrated its 60 years. Certainly the association can look back on a proud history since a group of O'Moore County people resident in Dublin came together in 1949 to host the Laois senior hurling team which played Tipperary in the All Ireland Final of that year.

The book has an enviable collection of article contributors - Eileen Dunne, Laura Kearns, Eugene Masterson, Louis Brennan, Rory Campion, Bill Kelly, Michael Butler, John Daly and Fintan Walsh. Certainly the editorial committee - Colm Healion (chairman), Sandy Metcalfe, Mary Doyle, Michael Butler, Rory Campion, Fintan Walsh, Jim Masterson, Joe Dowling, Eugene Donoghue, Liam de Fue and Vincent Rafter - can take a collective bow for the publication.

While the book focuses on the work of the association, it also has an international dimension with links to London and Australia recalled along with an article on 'Peter Lalor and the Eureka Stockade'.

The Commemorative Booklet notes that the Laois Association Dublin's aim is to: "foster the origins and interests of Laois people of all traditions and all ages in Dublin through cultural, educational sporting and social contact, developing the traditions of the past while embracing and contributing to the Ireland of the new millennium". And to look through its commemorative history - it's clear it does exactly what it says on the cover!

The book notes that the wide variety of social activities during the first 20/25 years of the Association's existence were always welcomed and supported by the members, and indeed led to many 'permanent relationships' as 'attractions' inevitably flourished and developed among members.

The decision to combine the strengths of each county association and operate under one umbrella organisation i.e. United Counties Organisation, "highlighted the concern of the organisations for the less well-off in society and displayed a willingness of members to do something positive about it," the book notes.

The Commemorative History notes that joining a county association meant "that you could be assured of enjoying a varied range of social activities. But also meaningful opportunities were available to do good work for others - particularly the less well-off - and this too gave one a justifiable feeling of satisfaction in being a member of a county association. This same philosophy still remains today within the Laois Association Dublin".

Along with recent highlights, the book also outlines its financial donations and the seven year bursary programme to provide finance for a Leaving Certificate student from Laois undertaking an undergraduate college diploma or degree, which began in 2003.

With a mixture of photos and stories stemming back 60 years, the Commemorative History is a fascinating mixture of stories and photographs looking back over those six decades of success for the association.

n the words of President Mary McAleese to the Laois Association Dublin: "Your association has established for itself a long and proud tradition dating back to the early days in 1949 when a small group of people came together with an idea. From that idea stemmed your Association's foundation and for many years a home in North Great Georges affectionately referred to, I'm told, as 'the Premises' a place of fun and friendship and camaraderie.

Reaching sixty years is magnificent for any voluntary organisation and you can be rightly proud of your achievements. This Commemorative History will be a fine addition to the stores of local history in county Laois and I congratulate everyone involved in the detailed work of research, preparation and publication.

As this book shows, both your county and our country have greatly changed since the Association was established in 1949, but I am confident and grateful as President that the Laois Association will continue its good work in representing the very best aspects of Laois and its people for many years to come," President McAleese writes in the book.

To books are available from our Chairman, Mrs Mary Doyle – mary@ardagh-house.ie or Tel: 01 - 4977068