Longford County Council today unveiled Bosca Beo (Irish for 'living box'), an innovative project between Longford and Laois County Councils designed to help people record, collect, cherish, and share their life memories with loved ones. The box, which was launched today at Portlaoise Library and will be available to members of the public for free, takes the form of a beautifully illustrated memory box, styled after a vintage suitcase. Inside, there is space to safely store keepsakes, photographs, documents, and other important personal items. Read: 'Safer, cleaner, and better': Multi-million double housing grant boost for Longfordians The box also contains a set of 80 prompt cards with questions to help spark memories and conversations. The cards were developed for the purpose of sharing stories with family members of all ages. Also included is a life journal where people can write about their experiences, from childhood through to the present day. In addition, Bosca Beo includes a family tree booklet, allowing users to record details about themselves and previous generations, helping to preserve their family history for the future. This project was carefully developed throughout 2025 with the valuable input of the Age Friendly Older Persons councils in both Longford and Laois, thus ensuring that Bosca Beo genuinely meets the needs of those who will use it. Read: PICTURES: Inside Longford’s new affordable housing showhouse Said Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh, “Our older citizens hold a wealth of knowledge and experience that deserves to be recorded and celebrated. This project will strengthen family bonds across generations and create treasured keepsakes that families will value for decades to come. I encourage everyone to engage with this wonderful resource." The box, which was developed collaboratively by the Creative Ireland, Age Friendly, Library Services, and Healthy Ireland teams in both Longford and Laois local authorities, will be available free of

placeholder image — Longford County Council today unveiled Bosca Beo (Irish for 'living box'), an innovative project between Longford and Laois County Councils designed to help people record, collect, cherish, and share their life memories with loved ones. The box, which was launched today at Portlaoise Library and will be available to members of the public for free, takes the form of a beautifully illustrated memory box, styled after a vintage suitcase. Inside, there is space to safely store keepsakes, photographs, documents, and other important personal items. Read: 'Safer, cleaner, and better': Multi-million double housing grant boost for Longfordians The box also contains a set of 80 prompt cards with questions to help spark memories and conversations. The cards were developed for the purpose of sharing stories with family members of all ages. Also included is a life journal where people can write about their experiences, from childhood through to the present day. In addition, Bosca Beo includes a family tree booklet, allowing users to record details about themselves and previous generations, helping to preserve their family history for the future. This project was carefully developed throughout 2025 with the valuable input of the Age Friendly Older Persons councils in both Longford and Laois, thus ensuring that Bosca Beo genuinely meets the needs of those who will use it. Read: PICTURES: Inside Longford’s new affordable housing showhouse Said Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh, “Our older citizens hold a wealth of knowledge and experience that deserves to be recorded and celebrated. This project will strengthen family bonds across generations and create treasured keepsakes that families will value for decades to come. I encourage everyone to engage with this wonderful resource." The box, which was developed collaboratively by the Creative Ireland, Age Friendly, Library Services, and Healthy Ireland teams in both Longford and Laois local authorities, will be available free of

Longford launches unique project to capture life stories

By Tara King

News Journalist / Multimedia

Published 9th Mar 2026, 21:33 GMT

Longford libraries to offer free ‘Bosca Beo’ memory boxes to help preserve family stories

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Laois people at Portlaoise Library Photo: Alf Harvey

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Marvac Thompson, Age Friendly Homes; Eileen Hughes, Age Friendly Midlands co-ordinator; Paula Mulry, Age Friendly, Longford; Ciarán Lennon, Creative Ireland Longford; Martina Needham, Longford County Librarian; Laois County Librarian Bernie Foran; David Broderick, Creative Ireland Laois and Danielle Keane and Tom Curran, Age Friendly Laois, with at front: Cllr Garry Murtagh, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council; Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council at Portlaoise Library Photo: Alf Harvey

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Ciarán Lennon, Creative Ireland Longford; Martina Needham, Longford County Librarian; Cllr Garry Murtagh, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council; Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council; Laois County Librarian Bernie Foran and David Broderick, Creative Ireland Laois Photo: Alf Harvey

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Barbara Heslin, Director of Services, Longford County Council; Cllr Garry Murtagh, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council; Anna May McHugh, Age Friendly Ambassador; Kitty Burkhill, Age Friendly Ambassador; Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council and Michael Rainey, Chief Executive Laois County Council Photo: Alf Harvey

Longford launches unique project to capture life stories

Longford libraries to offer free ‘Bosca Beo’ memory boxes to help preserve family stories

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