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Ultan Dillane with Mary Carroll, SInead Kelleher and Susan McElligott, the authors of ‘Behind The Face’ at the launch of the book at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
IRISH Rugby International Ultan Dillane was in his hometown on Friday night to launch a new book on international people living in Kerry.
‘Behind The Face’ is the remarkable and inspiring true life stories of 15 international people who have made Kerry their home.
The Tralee rugby star was on a break from training and returned home to launch the book at Siamsa Tire in Tralee.
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The book makes a unique and impactful statement about the diversity of the new Kerry and helps us to go behind what we see, and look into the lives of the people we pass on the street, and challenge any possible stereotypes we may have.
Ultan says that he was delighted to be home and to help launch this important book that is aimed at promoting integration.
Ultan Dillane having fun with Imogen Carroll Kelly at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
“It helps us understand why and how people came to Kerry,” says Ultan. “As a child growing up in Tralee I had a lot of international friends whose families had made Kerry their home.”
The Irish Rugby International was originally born in Paris to an Irish mother and a father from the Ivory Coast, but grew up in Tralee and began his rugby career at Tralee Rugby Club.
Behind the Face, which was supported by Kerry County Council’s Community Support Fund and NEWKD through SICAP funds, tells the stories of people like Ahmed Lulu who came here from Palestine to escape Hamas and a life of war and terror; Eddie Ong came from Malaysia to follow his dream of cooking and learning about new foods; Galina Cotter came to Kerry for love and now has two children and runs a business with her husband, and Hashim Al Hadeedy came to escape fear and terror from Isis in his home county of Iraq.
All these stories and more are contained in ‘Behind The Face’ – compiled by Mary Carroll, Sinead Kelleher and Susan McElligott – which is hoped will help the public understand that Kerry’s new residents all have their own reasons for coming to the county.
Their stories are of love and loss, bravery and hope but most importantly they tell us the story ‘Behind The Face’ – the stories of Kerry’s newest residents.
The book is available from Tralee International Resource Centre located at St Patricks Bungalows in Boherbee – 0667127918 – and costs €10 with all proceeds going to support the work TIRC do on promoting integration. Scroll down for photos…
In front; Elizabeth Silina, Alannah Houlihan. At back; Richard Sillins, Kristine Silina, Samantha Houlihan and Catriona Locke at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Samuel Kiwanuka, Michael Cotter, Gallina Cotter and Barbara Larkin at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Amy Diggin, Jill Murphy, Ava Wilkins, Tina Diggin and Mary O’Sullivan at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Caroline Toal, Mahrukh Alam and Dr Rizan Khan at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
In front; Cara and Caoileann Kenny O’Sullivan, at back; Jill Kenny and Nora Kelleher at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Amelie Sheahan and Susan McElligott at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Michelle Murphy, Catriona Fallon and Susan Leen at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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African drumming at the launch of ‘Behind The Face’ at Siamsa Tire on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
