Willie Ellis died 22nd July 2007. On 24 May 2013 12:37, Michael Purcell <carlowmike@gmail.com> wrote: > WILLIE ELLIS. > [ note added by Michael Purcell -- Willie Ellis was grandson of Mary > Boles. > All Willie's uncles and brothers were interested in our history, over the > years many of their articles were published in the Nationalist and > Carloviana. > A ten page article " Memories and Musings" by 90 year-old Frank Ellis was > published in the 2006 edition of Carloviana. > Frank had published the article in booklet form, he gave me a copy > shortly before he died in 2001. ] > Carloviana 2007. > Willie Ellis tribute by Martin Nevin. > Willie Ellis grew up with the Old Carlow Society, now the Carlow > Historical and Archaeological Society. His father, John was a founder > member way back in 1946. His brothers John, Brendan and uncle Frank all > contributed to the welfare of the Society over the years. > Willie was a member for almost 40 years and from his earliest association > was regarded as one of the stalwarts of the Society. > In that time the hidden treasures of his beloved county became well known > to him and we all enjoyed the many evenings when he delighted us with > illustrated talks on his latest findings and the many changes which had > overtaken us almost by stealth through the years in our towns, villages and > countryside. > In a quite and unassuming way , Willie continued the tireless labours of > Donal Godfrey in the work of research and preservation through the medium > of coloured slides. To him must be credited the greatest collection of > photographs and slides of unusual features, early stone structures, > buildings, holy wells, changes to the neighbourhood, streetscapes, etc. of > Carlow county. > Most of his Sundays were spent in pursuit of such items to compile a > centre piece for "Carloviana" under the heading County Carlow Miscellany > which was a much hailed feature by our readers for almost a quarter of a > century. > But this was not his only contribution to our journal. He left his > distinctive stamp on the layout of not less than twenty editions. The cover > pictures and design were typical examples of his work and they speak for > themselves. He wanted Carloviana to be a credit to the Society and Carlow. > In addition, he was always at hand to provide from his vast library, a > photograph to further illustrate and enhance a particular article. He had a > keen eye for an historical anniversary and could be counted on to lend his > pen to same. To his credit, recently deceased members were always recorded. > Willie was knowledgeable about County Carlow and was much sought after by > students of history. His names completes the bibliography of many a thesis > with a Carlow theme. > Visitors to our county with a special quest always found themselves in the > company of Willie, who without fail, would professionally guide them in > their search. > Likewise, personal from museums, universities and the Office of Public > Works were well acquainted with his knowledge of the local scene and would > call on his expertise when needed. > Willie was well known and respected throughout the county by all > interested in the heritage and history of Carlow. Through his many contacts > he travelled the narrow, winding roads to awkward places in this county, > often times in a 4 x 4 of a fellow enthusiast, to look at and record a > piece of rock with unusual markings, a Mass rock, standing stone or to > capture something historical that was about to be removed from the > landscape. > He was a man of integrity and principle who brought the highest standards > to all aspects of his work. > For some years before he passed to his eternal reward he had been working > diligently on a book " A Pictorial Aspect of County Carlow" with a view to > having it published. This may yet come to fruition. > In his Will he donated his collection of photographs and slides to the > care of Carlow County Library and some of his library of books to St > Patrick's College. > Though never a committee member ( he preferred always to work in the > background ) he was made an Honorary Member in 2002 in recognition of his > contribution to the Society. > It must be recorded that many aspects of our heritage and history would > have gone unrecorded but for tireless efforts of Willie Ellis. Always on > the lookout for unusual findings, I'm sure Heaven will be no exception. > > > > >