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Bríd O’Connor with Billy Keane, Suzanne Sheehy and Mikey Sheehy at the launch of Bríd’s book, ‘Spark’ at The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE Rose Hotel was the venue on Friday evening for the launch of a powerful book containing the experiences of people who have dealt with life-altering events and how they got their spark back.
‘Spark’ is the brainchild of Killarney native Bríd O’Connor who was inspired to collect the stories after her own journey through cancer and that of her family.
Bríd’s cancer diagnosis came 15 months after her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In addition, two of her siblings tested positive for the BRCA gene, suddenly this tight knit family were faced with grief and challenges unimaginable to most people.
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Bríd’s mother, Evelyn O’Regan, was a basketballer and coach and a phrase she regularly used to ignite the passion and drive in a team was to “turn and face it.”
This phrase always stayed with Bríd and no more so than when the family grieved the death of her mother. Bríd had lost her greatest champion.
Bríd O’Connor, joined by Ogie Moran and Dick Spring at the launch of Bríd’s book, ‘Spark’ at The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Prompted by the loss of her mother and her own journey through cancer, she wanted to find stories that others can find comfort in, find thought provoking or a story that will give you hope in your lowest hour.
During this time Bríd shared she had lost her “spark” and that it took time for it to re-emerge, but when she found it again, she knew she could help others with her story.
This became her core curiosity as she asked others “when did you realise your spark had dimmed and what contributed to it?”
Claire Kiely and Noreen Kiely at the launch of Bríd O’Connor’s book, ‘Spark’ at The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Spark” the book, is a beautiful collection of these conversations, with many familiar faces and others you will come to know.
Featuring Billy Keane, Louise Galvin, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and Don O’Neill amongst others. The incredible contributors to “Spark” share stories of grief, serious-illness, life altering events and challenges. Each contributor discloses what resets them, and the book is filled with messages of hope.
Proceeds from the book will go to Comfort for Chemo, Kerry, who are fundraising for €5 million to build a centre of excellence for the patients of Kerry.
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Valerie Callaghan O’Shea and Frances Henderson at the launch of Bríd O’Connor’s book, ‘Spark’ at The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Due to increasing demand for chemotherapy treatments in Kerry, the unit in University Hospital Kerry is no longer fit for purpose and lacks sufficient space and facilities to ensure patients can continue to receive their chemotherapy in the hospital.
As a service user of UHK during her own cancer treatment, Bríd shares the medical, nursing and support staff are incredible, but the setting is unsuitable and there is an immediate requirement for a stand-alone chemotherapy unit in University Hospital Kerry that would provide much needed comfort and dignity to cancer patients.
• Spark is in Eason’s Killarney & Listowel, O’Mahonys Bookshop Tralee and Crystal Cave in Killorglin. It is also available online www.sparkbodymindandsoul.com
Mary O’Regan, Amanda O’Regan and Martina Mincica at the launch of Bríd O’Connor’s book, ‘Spark’ at The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Bríd O’Connor with family Laoise, Tiernan and Kevin at the launch of Bríd’s book, ‘Spark’ at The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mary Fitzgerald with Bríd O’Connor at the launch of Bríd’s book, ‘Spark’ at The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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