The 2012 Ballinrobe Historic Calendar has just been launched, and it is certain to prove as popular as last year's sell-out 2011 edition.

The calendar is available in local shops or can be mailed to you wherever you are in the world. This year, Ballinrobe Archaeological and Historical Society, who produce the calendar, have organised a safe PayPal payment option on their website www.HistoricalBallinrobe.com

A group of young girls who attended the local St Joseph's Convent School, 1948.

This year's production contains lots of photos of people, places and events over many years in Ballinrobe.

For those who know and love Ballinrobe, the calendar is an ideal gift for family and friends at home and abroad. It also helps to advertise Ballinrobe and seeks to revive pleasant memories for many people.

"We hope you like this second in the series and all profits from this year's calendar go towards our Autumn Lecture Series ‘Know your own place - Aspects of Ballinrobe' and maintaining this website. All work on the calendar and website is voluntary," said a spokesperson for Ballinrobe Archaeological and Historical Society.

The society have also thanked their main sponsors: Vaughan's Shoes, Ballinrobe and Claremorris; Martin Murphy, Newsagents & Gift Shop, Main St; Ballinrobe Race Committee; South Mayo Family Research Centre, Main Street; Tesco, Claremorris Road; TJ Quinn, Café Loire, Church Lane; Joanne Hynes Pharmacy, Cornmarket; M. McDarby & Co. Solicitors, Glebe St; Martin Healy, Topaz, Bowgate St; Ballinrobe Credit Union, Main St; and Michael Burke, Auctioneer, New St.

1901 Major McBride Football Club, Ballinrobe.

"We would also like to thank the contributors of photographs, who are individually named in the calendar. Their generosity is gratefully acknowledged and we hope it will inspire others to do likewise. Remember ‘capture it before it disappears forever' - that's our motto," added the spokesperson.

"We have been donated or allowed to share many wonderful photographs some with no names and it's sad to be reminded that so many people remain 'forgotten'. We would like to prevent this from recurring so frequently. Often we forget that those who follow us do not necessarily know the names of people in photographs hence their loss of historic/heritage value.

"A minute or two now spent recording the names of our past family and friends will be invaluable to those who follow us in Ballinrobe. It will enrich their lives, knowing somebody, somewhere, cared enough to 'keep a record' of Ballinrobe's heritage."

The calendar costs €6.99 plus €2.50 p&p to anywhere in the world.