A DUNMANWAY teenager who has been surrounded by Winnie the Pooh toys since birth is surely West Cork’s biggest literary fan of the book.

Gabrielle Dodog (15) is particularly looking forward to the centenary celebration of the book’s publication, as the works and characters have been a part of her life ‘for as long as she can remember’.

Her mother Anna recounts that since an early age, Gabi has been surrounded by Pooh, not just as a feature on her curtains, bed sheets, and pillows, offering a constant, comforting presence throughout her childhood.

Pooh, Eyeore, Rabbit and Tigger are special to tens of thousands of children and adults worldwide, and it’s no different for Gabi who describes Pooh as ‘silly, kind, and someone who always makes her smile’.

‘Pooh wasn’t just a character to her; he was a constant, comforting presence throughout her childhood.’ said Anna.

‘It’s impossible to choose a favourite character because Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and all their friends are special in their own way. No matter how she’s feeling, be it happy, sad, or worried, Winnie-the-Pooh always makes her feel good and brings her comfort.’

Gabi’s collection is formidable, with multiple soft toys, t-shirts, pyjamas, and linen. Among her collection sits 11 books, as well as puzzles, a piggy bank, and artwork, including a picture of Piglet holding a carrot that she painted herself. One item is especially close to her heart is an Eeyore teddy that she found in a charity shop in Bantry for just €1 a few years ago.

If Winnie-the-Pooh were to visit West Cork, Gabi says would take him on walks around the area and bring him charity-shop exploring, somewhere she feels ‘he would truly belong.’

‘Winnie-the-Pooh brings Gabi real joy and comfort’ says Anna, ‘and collecting his stories and treasures genuinely makes her happy. To her, Pooh isn’t just a character, he’s a friend who has grown up with her.’

A year ago, The Southern Star revealed the links between the town of Dunmanway and the renowned author AA Milne, the creator of Winne the Pooh and his friends of the Hundred Acre Wood.

History consultant Michelle O’Mahony made the discovery that two of AA Milne’s brothers-in-law (and so the uncles of his son, the real-life Christopher Robin), Guy and Geoffrey de Selincourt rested in St Joseph’s cemetery. They were the brothers of Dorothy, Christopher Robin’s mother.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first book, which came out on October 14th 1926 and is as famous for the gentle ink illustrations by Ernest Howard Shepard as the story. Today, two original ink drawings of Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and Christopher Robin are valued at £110,000, quite a bit more than a signed first-edition of the book.

‘We’re quite proud of our links,’ said Michelle.

‘The brothers were artists in their own right; they were illustrators. And depending on funding and sponsorship, in due course Dunmanway hopes in time to mark the memory of the uncles of Christopher Robin, who made Dunmanway their home’.