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Councillor Jim Finucane, Mayor of Kerry was at hand to present Tim Guiheen with the first copy of Billy Ryle’s new book, ‘Donor Organ Transplants or Blind for the Football’, at the Organ Donors Memorial Tree in Tralee Town Park on Thursday last. The tree was commissioned in 2014 by Tim’s wife, Mairéad Fernane, who died recently. Included from left are Mairéad O’Mahony (Technology Trainer, NCBI), Lisa Brown (Community Resource Worker, NCBI), Councillor Jim Finucane (Mayor of Kerry), Tim Guiheen, Billy Ryle (Book Author & Donor Organs Recipient) and Sheila Finucane.
A NEW book by well known Tralee man Billy Ryle will be officially launched on Thursday, September 7 at 7pm in Tralee Library.
Senator Martin Conway, the first visually impaired person to be elected to the Oireachtas, will launch ‘Donor Organ Transplants or Blind for the Football’ by the Guidance Counsellor and former Austin Stacks GAA Chairman.
In 2018, Billy Ryle, who was enjoying a full and active life, was diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy, a disease of the eyes. In Fuchs Dystrophy, fluid builds up in the clear layer (cornea) on the front of the eye, causing the cornea to swell and thicken.
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This leads to glare, blurred or cloudy vision, and eye discomfort. Fuchs Dystrophy usually affects both eyes, causing the vision to gradually worsen leading to blindness.
It was the beginning of a long and difficult medical journey, which Billy was determined to make in order to save his sight. The treatment for Fuchs Dystrophy involved two cataract surgeries and two corneal transplant operations of donor organs at Bon Secours Hospital.
Simultaneously, as Chairman of Austin Stacks GAA Club, Tralee, Billy was determined to lead his club safely through the Covid-19 pandemic and their winning of the Kerry Senior Football Championship in 2021.
The text in the book is supported by a timeline of black and white photographs including the official photograph of the 2021 Austin Stacks County Senior Football Championship winning team, courtesy of Martin Cleary.
Net profit from the sale of the Book during 2023 will be donated to the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI).
There should be a Book available for everybody who attends the launch, as well as a glass of wine or a cup of tea/coffee.
In turn, Billy is requesting that each person might make a donation of €20 euro or more. Donations will also be gratefully accepted for NCBI from business and commercial interests. Billy is hoping to raise €2020 at the launch.
The book will then go on sale online at www.amazon.co.uk. Type ‘Billy Ryle’ in the search box. All royalties in 2023 will go to NCBI.
Billy would like to thank Kerry County Librarian, Tommy O’Connor for hosting the launch in Tralee Branch, Kerry Library. Billy is delighted that the launch is taking place in the Library, where he regularly spends time browsing through the book shelves.
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