Tag Archives: Books

News

PHOTOS: Mayor Launches Stephen’s Book On ‘The Narie That Won The Derby’

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Francis Quirke, James Hayes and Bernie Hayes at the launch of Stephen’s book ‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ at Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

THE Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse was the appropriate venue on Thursday for the launch of a book by a local journalist.

Stephen Fernane of The Kerryman wrote ‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ telling the story of Dillon who, in 1901, at the age of 13, left home with dreams of becoming a jockey in England. Within three years he would be the most popular sporting personality in Britain and Ireland.

There was a good turnout for the launch which was performed by Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien in front of Stephen’s family, friends and history lovers, while a quintet of classical musicians from Ukraine also played for those assembled.

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The book captures the astonishing true story of Dillon (who was born in Caherina, a stone’s throw from the Strand Road clubhouse),  his rise to success as a jockey  and later his fall from grace due to heavy drinking.

Stephen thanked all for attending and a presentation of a framed photograph of Bernard Dillon was also made to the Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA Club on the night. The book priced at €15 and available to buy at Polymath Bookshop or at www.buythebook.ie/bernarddillon Scroll down for photos…

Frank O’Connor, Oliver Molloy, Stephen Fernane and Pat Flavin at the launch of Stephen’s book ‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ at Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Musicians from Ukraine at the launch of Stephen Fernane’s book ‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ at Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jeremy Murphy with Stephen Fernane at the launch of Stephen’s book ‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ at Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Pearl, Shane and Liz McMahon with Martina Fernane at the launch of Stephen’s book ‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ at Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Stephen Fernane at the launch of his book ‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ at Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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News, Sport

Tralee Journalist’s Book On The ‘Narie That Won The Derby’

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Journalist Stephen Fernane with his book, ”The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’.

A STORY of triumph and tragedy, dreams and disasters is how one might describe the life and times of Bernard Dillon in a new book by Tralee-based journalist Stephen Fernane.

In 1901, at the age of thirteen, Bernard left home with dreams of becoming a jockey in England. No one could have predicted that within three years he would be the most popular sporting personality in Britain and Ireland.

For the first time since Bernard’s death in 1941, a book capturing his astonishing true story and rise to success as a jockey – and later his fall from grace due to heavy drinking – is available.

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From a talented apprentice to astute professional, Bernard Dillon won the Grand Prix de Paris in 1906 and the Epsom Derby in 1910 during a lifetime of sporting conquest and human tragedy.

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Stephen Fernane from The Kerryman explains his reason for writing the story stems from his fascination with Bernard’s sporting achievements and the sadness that would later overshadow them. The fact Bernard’s story is not widely known of is another motivating factor behind the book.

“Discovering Bernard’s career – and learning about all he achieved as a jockey – is what inspired me to write it. The inner demons that led to his demise in later life are just as fascinating. To think that very little is known about someone as colourful and complex as Bernard Dillon is astonishing,” Stephen said.

The book title: ‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ is a deliberate nod to Bernard’s birth place at Caherina in Strand Road in 1887.

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“I want to bring Bernard home for the book launch. To bring his story back to where it all started and present it to others who may not know much about him. That is the best tribute I can give him. Bernard is a ‘Narie’ for sure, which is why the Kerins O’Rahlly’s GAA Club is the appropriate venue. It remains his spiritual home as he was born only a few yards from the clubhouse,” Stephen explained.

Bernard Dillon’s journey from 1901 to 1911 was anything but smooth as he tried to cope with celebrity and adversity. Sadly, his downfall included domestic abuse and the mistreatment of his wife and famous music hall artist, Marie Lloyd.

Bernard and Marie met in 1905 and so began a turbulent relationship. They were Edwardian England’s first celebrity couple with Marie eighteen years older than Bernard. However, notoriety would come at a cost. Drink took hold of Bernard when he lost his jockey’s licence in 1913 over allegations of gambling. It marked the end of his reputation as a superstar jockey.

Stephen feels it is important to write Bernard’s story because of the random way it exists in the archives. Because Marie Lloyd was the more famous personality, information about Bernard’s life is usually seen through the lens of Marie’s biographers, as opposed to Bernard’s own perspective.

“Bernard wrote his memoir in 1922 which has largely been ignored until now. While he does not explain the more violent side to his personality in the memoir, I was able to solve this by reading through many court sittings he appeared before,” Stephen said.

“Even though the court charges are upsetting to read, my aim is to show Bernard’s opposing sides – not just him as a famous jockey. But there are examples of closeness and intimacy between the couple that have never been written about before now,” he said.

“There is a chapter about Bernard and Marie being incarcerated at Ellis Island in 1913 because they were unmarried. It’s staggering to imagine two of the most famous and wealthy people in Edwardian England being detained with hundreds of immigrants. They were the Posh and Becks of their time, for sure.

“As for Bernard’s active service during WWI, a judge accused him of engaging in more violence in London than on the Western Front! Nothing was ever straight forward in Bernard’s life from the time he left for England still in short pants,” Stephen explained.

Lastly, Stephen sums up Bernard’s life as ‘totally unorthodox’ and that the book is about more than just horseracing.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to get the impression the book is solely about horses. Significant though they are in Bernard’s life, there is an undertone to the book that symbolises a tragic love story between two people trying to deal with fame and infamy,” he said.

“This is a global story that started in a quiet Kerry street and extended to far off places like America, South Africa, and the Middle East. I just felt it was time for Bernard’s story to be told in his own words.  I think the book is fair to him and shows that no matter how successful we are in life, we’re all vulnerable to self-destruction,” Stephen said.

‘The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie that Won the Derby’ will be launched on June 6 at the Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA Club at 7pm by Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien.

A presentation of a framed photograph of Bernard Dillon will be made to the Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA Club on the night. Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments served.

Book price is €15. Pre-Orders at: www.buythebook.ie/bernarddillon

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News

New Book On History Of Day Place Published This Month

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Image of Day Place which appears on the cover of ‘Day Place — The Most Respectable Locality In Tralee.

A NEW book on a historic part of Tralee is available to purchase this month.

‘Day Place — The Most Respectable Locality In Tralee’ is written by English artist and historian, Laurence Jones. The book studies the occupants of Day Place, a terrace of ten Georgian townhouses in Tralee, over a 100-year period.

The street was the most fashionable and sought-after address in the town and residents of the terrace were among the wealthiest and most influential individuals in the area.

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The economic and political transformation of Tralee – and Ireland – from 1830 to 1930 was reflected in the changing makeup of the local elite living in Day Place.

The tenancy of the houses and the reins of government passed from a largely Protestant clique to a confident Catholic and nationalist middle class of entrepreneurs and professionals.

This volume brings some of these colourful characters to life, uncovering their activities and attitudes and painting a picture of the rapidly changing religious and political landscape in which they lived.

Laurence Jones has lived in Kerry for over 30 years. He holds a post graduate diploma in adult education from the University of Limerick.

He has been a member of the Dingle Peninsula Tourism Committee. He received a Diploma in Genealogy and a Masters Degree in Local History from University College Cork in 2018 and 2022 respectively, with his research centred on nineteenth century Tralee.

He is chairman of the Annascaul History Society and has contributed articles to The Irish Genealogist.

The book is available to buy by clicking on the following link
https://www.fourcourtspress.ie/books/2023/day-place/ 

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News

PHOTOS: Celebrating 50 Years Of ‘The Greatest Estate In The World’

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Neil Shaughnessy, Michael O’Donnell and Mary O’Donnell at the launch of ‘Derrylea – The Greatest Estate In The World’ at the Na Gaeil GAA Clubhouse on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

TALES of runaway teens, memories of Sam Maguire visits and adventures on the ‘field of dreams’ are recounted in a publication on the history of an Oakpark estate.

Longtime resident, Sinn Féin Kerry Deputy Pa Daly and Maurice Murphy have compiled a short book to mark the 50 years of Derrylea estate, which was launched in the Na Gaeil clubhouse on Wednesday night.

The modestly-titled ‘Derrylea — The Greatest Estate In The World’ contains a history of who lived in the estate over the years with entertaining stories and some wonderful photos from the past half-century, many of which were taken by Pa’s father, Pat.

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Many of the residents attended the launch, no doubt sharing memories of the estate which lies towards the top of Oakpark. But it was not always called Derrylea, as Pa explained.

“Originally it was developed and named by the builder Jerry Fitzmaurice, who came back from Chicago where there was a suburb called ‘Palos Park’ in which he lived. However, after a few years, the residents wanted a name that was more Irish and so they changed it to Derrylea.”

During the summer of this year, there was a Mass held in the estate where Pa appealed to the residents to give him the information necessary to put the book together.

He compiled the details on the residents from each house over the years and sent it on to Maurice Murphy who laid it out to have it ready for print. The result is a publication that many in the greater Oakpark area will find interesting.

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“What was unusual about the estate at the start was that only a few families living there had both parents from Tralee or even Kerry,” said Pa. “An awful lot of the people who lived there were from Cork, Clare and around the country. They worked in the industrial estates in town. We were on the edge of town really.”

“Joe Dunne of AnCO arranged for the field in the middle of the estate to be drained in the summer of 1982 and that became a focal point for the youth of the estate,” he said.

Memories of playing days in that ‘field of dreams’ are in the book, as well as numerous recollections of friends and neighbours in an estate which has held its sense of community for 50 years. Scroll down for photos… 

Caroline Flahive with Maurice Murphy and Pa Daly at the launch of ‘Derrylea – The Greatest Estate In The World’ at the Na Gaeil GAA Clubhouse on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Shona O’Toole, Fiona Kelly, Mary Quillinan, Eoin Curran and Anne Kelly at the launch of ‘Derrylea – The Greatest Estate In The World’ at the Na Gaeil GAA Clubhouse on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kathleen Houlihan, Maria O’Neill, Anne Marie Lucey and Donal Lucey at the launch of ‘Derrylea – The Greatest Estate In The World’ at the Na Gaeil GAA Clubhouse on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Ciaran O’Halloran and Finbarr McCann at the launch of ‘Derrylea – The Greatest Estate In The World’ at the Na Gaeil GAA Clubhouse on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Anne O’Brien and Michelle O’Brien at the launch of ‘Derrylea – The Greatest Estate In The World’ at the Na Gaeil GAA Clubhouse on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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News

Local Journalist Details Farmer’s Stand Against Eviction In New Book

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Writer Marisa Reidy with Seamus Sherlock. Photo: Andrea Etter

A FORMER journalist with The Kerryman has just released her first book, recounting the year-long and much-publicised stand against eviction taken by a father-of-five back in 2012.

Marisa Reidy, who worked as a news reporter with The Kerryman Newspaper for 17 years until 2016, is the author of ‘Seamus Sherlock – The Fight of My Life’, a new book which chronicles the 350-day ordeal endured by Seamus Sherlock when threatened with eviction from his West Limerick farm in 2012.

Marisa first met Tipperary man Seamus while working with The Kerryman and covered his story extensively as he stood with his children to protect their farm in Feohanagh for almost a year.

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In 2021, as the 10th anniversary of the story beckoned, Seamus approached Marisa to write his book. She says it has been a truly humbling experience to chat in so much more depth with Seamus and recount exactly what he and his family went through for almost a year.

In August 2012, Seamus was left devastated when he was issued with an eviction notice, having fallen behind on mortgage repayments a few years previously.

He had lost the bog he worked following a 2008 EU directive to preserve a number of Irish bogs, resulting in almost 80% of his income being wiped out.

In a defiant stance against the bank, Seamus erected a barricade at Appletown Farm and for the next 350 days he and his five children were under 24-hour eviction notice.

Seamus and his family made national and international headlines over the course of their standoff and now, 10 years on from his ordeal and as he prepares to sell Appletown Farm, Seamus shares his account of the toll that took on both himself and his children in this new book.

“I think it’s important, after what we went through at the time – and because it’s the 10-year anniversary – that we put down on paper what really happened,” explained Seamus..

“We were the ones inside the barricade, and I was always conscious that I’d like the real story to be told. I didn’t want someone to write it from the outside, looking in. I was inside the gate with the children, and it was important to recall exactly what was happening at the time,” Seamus explained.

While Seamus has given many interviews to the press during and after his ordeal, this is the first time he has spoken so frankly and in so much detail about what he says was a year of hell on earth.

• ‘Seamus Sherlock – The Fight of My Life’ is now available online via The Book Depository https://www.bookdepository.com/Seamus-Sherlock-Marisa-Reidy/9781915662231, with several other online platforms such as Amazon, Apple Books, Google Books and Blackwell adding the title in the coming days.

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News

Danny Morrison To Launch Book In Tralee

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Danny Morrison.

AUTHOR and former Republican activist, Danny Morrison, will be in Tralee on this Wednesday night to launch his book, ‘Free Statism And The Good Old IRA’.

Originally produced as a pamphlet at the height of the troubles in 1985, it is now updated and published in book form.

The launch will include a question and answer session and will take place in Kerins O’Rahillys clubhouse at 7pm on Wednesday March 23rd. All are welcome to attend.

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GAA, News, Sport

Kerry GAA Greats Reveal The Games Of Their Lives In New Book

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THIRTY Kerry GAA greats will detail the best games of their football careers in a new book released this week.

‘Kerry Game of My Life’ is a new publication from Hero Books written by Kerry’s Eye journalist David Byrne.

From the 1959 All-Ireland final between Kerry and Galway to the All-Ireland Club semi-final between Dr Crokes and Corofin, 30 of the greatest Kerry footballers over the last 60 years tell of the games in green and gold that defined their lives.

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It includes first-person testimonials from many of the stars of the 1975/85 era when Mick O’Dwyer’s brilliant team dominated the game and changed Gaelic football forever – and also teams from The Kingdom that won All-Irelands in the 90s, noughties and in 2014.

The new book leads the reader through 3o Kerry and club games from the point of view of former Kerry stars including Mick O’Dwyer, Dr Sean Murphy, Mikey Sheehy, Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston, Jack O’Shea, the  Ó Sé   brothers, Seamus Moynihan,  Dara Ó Cinnéide, Kieran Donaghy, and many more.

The exciting new book also tells of the many ups and downs of the 30 stars, both on and off the field, one that is set to enthral Kerry football fans throughout the world

Household names who played with the county throughout the last 60 years but failed to ultimately taste All-Ireland glory will also talk about the one game they will always remember.

“I am privileged to be able to share the fascinating stories of these 30 footballing legends,” said David Byrne.

“Kerry Game of My Life is not only a look back on games gone by, but an exciting journey through the past, what makes these 30 men tick and what got them to that stage of their footballing career. I am really excited to bring to you these stories from both on and off the field.”

Kerry Game of My Life is available in all good bookstores from Thursday, November 4.

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News

Sponsored: John Cleary’s Five Book Collection Makes For Perfect Gift Idea

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John Cleary

IF you’re still looking for a special present for Christmas this year, then John Cleary has a special deal for his five photography books released over the past few years.

All the Tralee man’s books feature stunning images capturing life in the town and around the county in a variety of social, sporting and community settings. Now John has created a fantastic five-book box set for €80.

It features Through The Lens, the first book launched in 2016, featuring some of his extensive archive and images taken in the 1970s. This was followed in 2017 by T’was Only Like Yesterday, As Time Goes By (2018), Tralee In The Good Old Days (2019) and 2020’s Every Picture Tells A Story.

Carole Commane, Geraldine O’Shea, Violet Lynch and Helen O’Mahony in the Guards and Nurses Tops of the Town show as featured in John Cleary’s book.

“Naturally, Tralee features prominently in my archives,” said John. “All my books are a pictorial history of Tralee, Kerry and its people. Photographs to catch the eye include GAA teams, sports images, community groups, youth groups and a mixture of images from all over Kerry.

High Noon, at Fenit, on Christmas day some years ago.

• The collection for €80 is available in O’Mahony’s Bookshop on Castle Street, Polymaths, Kerry Bookshop, Cleary’s Photography on Russell Street and the Quality Framing Company on Matt Talbot Road.

You can also order from John Cleary on 087-2518012 email clearypresspix@gmail.com (€5.50 extra for post and packaging in Ireland).

Photos taken are part of the £30m Tralee Flood Relief Scheme.
Shanakill Baton Twirlers on the good ship KlingePharma & Co. Killorglin.
Goblin staff Christmas party Tralee.
Children from Kerin’s park, Tralee, taking part in Tralee Tidy Town competition many moons ago.
News, WHAT'S ON

Aidan O’Mahony To Sign Copies Of ‘Unbroken’ In Tralee Bookshop

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AIDAN O’Mahony will sign copies of his book in Tralee later this month.

The former Kerry GAA star, who retired from inter-county football in January 2017 after an illustrious time in the green and gold, released his biography earlier this month and he will be in O’Mahony’s Bookshop, Castle Street on Saturday, October 30 at 1pm for a signing.

‘Unbroken: A Story of Mental Strength, Physical Fitness and the Power of Adversity’ (co-written with Michael Moynihan of the Irish Examiner) details the highs and lows of his life in Gaelic football and beyond. It’s available now in bookshops.

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News

Tralee Centre To Receive Books From Kerry Library

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At the presentation of books to the Kerry Intervention and Disability Services at Killarney Library this week were, from left; Tommy O’Connor (County Librarian), Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Jimmy Moloney, Katie Cournane-Friel (KIDS) and Eamon Browne (Killarney Library)

KERRY Library is to present sets of books to centres in Tralee, Listowel and Killarney for the benefit of children who attend Kerry Intervention and Disabilities Services.

This has been made possible with Dormant Accounts funding matched with a contribution from Kerry County Council.

The centres benefitting are the North Kerry Children’s Disability Network based at Upper Church Street, Listowel, the South Kerry Children’s Disability Network based at Countess Grove, Killarney and the West Kerry Children’s Disability Network at Oakview Village, Tralee.

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The funding, totalling €3,000, was provided as part of a Government of Ireland initiative to provide Library Supports for Marginalised, Socially Excluded and Disadvantaged Communities and is in line with the national strategy ‘Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities’ and the Kerry Library Literacy Support Programme.

Each Centre will receive over 100 books, suitable for children that attend the centres and they will be available for parents and children to read while either attending the centres or to take away and read as part of an effort to foster evening story time in the home.

Titles include popular children’s picture books as well as books that deal with various social issues.

Included with the book sets is information on the various other literacy supports that Kerry Library is providing, including information on current library services and the free online resources available at www.kerrylibrary.ie

News

New Book On Early Neolithic Portal Tombs Near Milltown

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THE story of the excavations at some of the oldest extant monuments in Ireland is told in a new book published by Kerry County Council.

The portal tombs at Killaclohane near Milltown date to around 3,700 BC at the beginning of the Neolithic Period in Ireland and are considered to be among the most important archaeological features of the Kerry and Irish landscape.

The tombs are considered to be monuments to the end of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle which had persisted for thousands of years, and the transition to and adoption of agriculture, which heralded an end to a nomadic existence and the adoption of the settled way of life.

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The portal tomb known as Killaclohane I is the oldest extant monument in Kerry. In 2015, after nearly 6,000 years marking the passing of people and time, it was discovered to be in danger of imminent collapse.

The portal tomb known as Killaclohane I is the oldest extant monument in Kerry.

Kerry County Council stepped in to fund the conservation and excavation of the monument and continued to fund further excavations at another nearby tomb, known as Killaclohane II which is situated within Killaclohane Wood (pictured below).

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The project, overseen by Kerry County Archaeologist, Dr Michael Connolly, included excavation, research and analysis of the material and data recovered from the tombs.

A wide range of significant items were uncovered, including finely crafted flint tools and weapons as well as Neolithic pottery and provided significant evidence about how the tombs were constructed.

‘The excavations also showed that the tombs had a long history of reuse both for burial and as focal points in the landscape used to create lineages and connections to both the peoples of the past and, more importantly, the land itself, said Michael.

‘The new book Stone, Bone & Belonging presents the results of six years of excavation and research in a clear and informative way that is accessible to both the academic and general reader.

It details the history of research into portal tombs in Ireland and places the tombs in their geological and archaeological context before detailing the excavations of the tombs,’ he said.

Detailed dating and discussion of the results of the research is accompanied by comprehensive analysis of the finds and environmental data by recognised experts in their various fields, all in a fully illustrated and beautifully produced hardback volume.

The book comprises 334 pages, 160 full colour plates and 67 figures and is available to purchase for just €20 from Kerry County Museum, Ashe Memorial Hall, Tralee (P&P €9 extra) in person or by phone on 066 7127777.

News

New Book By Local Historian Tells Story Of The Ballymacandy Ambush

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A NEW book on the Ballymacandy Ambush of June 1921, where a senior figure in the IRA in Tralee was the only casualty on the IRA side, has just been published by a local author and historian.

Owen O’Shea’s book tells the story of the ambush which happened in mid-Kerry just weeks before the War of Independence ended.

Jerry Myles.

Jerry Myles from Moyderwell, who was later chairman of the John Mitchels GAA Club, was badly wounded in the ambush at Ballymacandy between Milltown and Castlemaine on 1st June 1921 and which features in the new book by Owen.

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Five of the Crown Forces were killed in the ambush which claimed the life of the last Black and Tan to die in Kerry during the War of Independence.

Constable John Stratton McCormack was mortally wounded in the attack involving dozens of IRA members from mid-Kerry, Castlegregory and Tralee and lay bleeding in a cottage near the site of the ambush for several hours after the incident.

The ambush involved IRA, Fianna Éireann and Cumann na mBan units from Milltown, Keel, Callinafercy, Kiltallagh, and senior Kerry No. 1 Brigade members from Castlegregory and Tralee who had spent months in a hideout in Keel on the Dingle Peninsula.

Jerry ‘Unkey’ O’Connor

Among the Tralee IRA members involved were Jerry ‘Unkey’ O’Connor, Paddy Paul Fitzgerald, Thomas O’Connor, Big Dan O’Sullivan, Dan Jeffers, Michael O’Leary, Billy Mullins and brothers, Billy and Jerry Myles.

Jerry Myles, later secretary of the Kerry County Board and chairman of John Mitchels’ GAA Club, was the only IRA casualty at the ambush, sustaining a nasty bullet wound which impacted his health throughout his life.

Paddy Paul Fitzgerald

“Many of those from Tralee who were involved in the attack had spent months hiding out at ‘The Hut’ in Fybough in Keel. They had been forced to leave Tralee in the days and weeks after the ‘Siege of Tralee’ in November 1920 and were under the command of Paddy Cahill, a Sinn Féin TD for Kerry,” said Owen.

‘Ballymacandy: The Story of a Kerry Ambush’, published by Merrion Press, is the definitive account of one of the most important events in the Anglo-Irish War in Kerry and includes extracts from diaries, IRA pension applications, private correspondence and previously unpublished accounts from local IRA leaders like Dan Mulvihill, Jack Flynn and Tom O’Connor, who was officer commanding on the day.

It describes the dramatic events in the lead-up to the ambush and how the local IRA were plotting a major assault on the Crown Forces for several months.

Billy Mullins

Among the five killed was RIC sergeant James Collery, a father of nine children who lived at the Square in Milltown and who died at the hands of those who were his neighbours, as the War of Independence in mid-Kerry reached a bloody climax.

“This was a story I grew up with and I always wanted to know more about what happened at Ballymacandy, near my homeplace, on 1 June 1921. I have tried to tell this story from many perspectives, that of the IRA gunmen, the widow of the RIC constable, the hard-nosed District Inspector, the terrified civilians of my home village, the women of Cumann na mBan, the priest who prayed into the ears of the dying, the IRA’s informer within the police, and the schoolboys who watched as the remains were loaded onto carts,” said Owen.

Ballymacandy offers an insight into the planning and execution of an IRA ambush, the critical and overlooked role of Cumann na mBan, the dangers faced by the policemen in Ireland at the time, the motivations of the men who lay in wait on the roadside, and the villagers who were, unusually and remarkably, saved the brutal reprisals which had become synonymous with the dreaded Black and Tans in 1921.

Author Owen O’Shea

“I am immensely grateful to the relatives of those involved in the ambush for sharing memories, correspondence and documents. Many of those who took part in these extraordinary and traumatic events rarely or never spoke about what happened but now, thanks to newly published archive material as the centenary of the ambush approaches, their stories can be told.

“I hope the book will contribute to a wider knowledge and understanding of these events during such a pivotal period in our collective history,” said Owen.

The online launch of the book will take place on Monday, 24th May at 8.00pm. Details on www.owenoshea.ie.

• ‘Ballymacandy: The Story of a Kerry Ambush’ by Owen O’Shea, and priced at €14.99 is published by Merrion Press and available from www.owenoshea.ie as well as Polymath, O’Mahony’s and Easons, Tralee.

News

New Book On Old Presbyterian Church In Tralee

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A NEW book exploring the fascinating history of an old church in Tralee has just been launched.

‘Recollections of the Presbyterian Church Tralee’ is an intimate portrait of the church that once stood on Edward Street on the site now occupied by the Post Office car park.

Its author, the late Russell McMorran of Tralee who passed away in December 2019, brings back to life the families who filled the pews, the Hendersons, the Hoffmans, the Lunhams and the Lumsdens.

Russell, the erstwhile historian, felt the responsibility to document the church of his birth, and duly obliged – wrestling duty with other demands on his time, and other projects that truly absorbed him.

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As such, his sudden death on 5 December 2019 left the work unfinished. Over the last five months, his brothers, Clare and Chris, with the assistance of Janet Murphy, Castleisland District Heritage, have carefully moulded Russell’s manuscript into a semblance of his original plan.

A biographical sketch of the author has also been introduced together with family photographs.

The result is a 164-page record of Tralee Presbyterian Church which captures both the essence of the church and its history.

There are chapters on William Rorke the schoolmaster, John Leslie the Abbeydorney ploughman, and the Reids of Ballyheigue – of whom one kept house at Ballyheigue Castle.

In a chapter about Elise Sandes, founder of the Sandes’ Soldiers’ Homes, we learn of her spiritual awakening in the Tralee church.

Past ministers are returned to the scene of their labours: Rev William Wallace Chestnut, who served the church for 44 years, and left a remarkably talented family, and Rev John Robert Bartley, who died so tragically on the SS Leinster in 1918, en route to visit his wounded son – who also lost his life.

And of course, the Rev Frank McMorran, the last minister to serve the church – whose eldest son penned this memoir.

The book is available in Jackie Reidy Newsagent and Menswear, Main Street, Castleisland or on application to Castleisland District Heritage odonohoearchive@gmail.com

News

New Book Details Archaelogical Discoveries On Tralee Bypass

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‘In The Vale Of Tralee’.

A NEW book describing the remarkable discoveries that were made along the route of the Tralee bypass is now available to buy.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Kerry County Council have announced the publication of In the Vale of Tralee – the archaeology of the N22 Tralee Bypass.

The book describes the discoveries made by archaeologists from Rubicon Heritage Services and Irish Archaeological Consultancy in 2010 and 2011.

The construction of the bypass provided a rare opportunity to explore the rich heritage of North Kerry through large-scale archaeological investigation, with the excavations revealing evidence of over 6,000 years of human life in the Tralee hinterland, from early prehistory to modern times.

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Among the discoveries were the remains of a building in Manor East erected by some of the first farmers to settle in the River Lee Valley,  as well as circular houses of the Bronze Age in Ballingowan, Knockawaddra Middle and Ballynabrennagh, and Iron Age cremation burials in Manor East and Ballinorig West.

Of particular note was the monumental avenue of timber posts uncovered in Ballingowan which may have been the site of sacred ceremonial processions during the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age.

Another highlight was the discovery of a previously unknown bivallate (double ditched) ringfort in Ballinorig West. This was probably the defended homestead of a wealthy farmer or local lord during the early medieval period.

Glimpses of Tralee’s more recent past were revealed by the excavation of the brick-making sites and limekilns uncovered on the project, while the abandoned cottages uncovered in Lismore attest to the devasting impact of the Famine in North Kerry.

Jimmy Deenihan, former Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and current President of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society said; “The archaeological excavations on the Tralee Bypass revealed fascinating new insights about the lives of previous generations of people who lived in North Kerry.

“Examination of the objects they left behind and the remnants of their homes, farms and burial places has enabled the archaeologists to fill out the stories of our past. The wealth of new information presented in this beautifully illustrated volume will also help shape and inform future research on the archaeology of Tralee and its hinterland for many years to come.”

Councillor Terry O’Brien, Mayor of Tralee said; “We’ve always been very proud of our heritage in Tralee. Our churches, castles and placenames provide a strong connection to our medieval past and contribute to the pride we feel for our town. Our more ancient heritage has also played its part in this, inspiring many of the artworks in the Garden of the Senses in the town park. While the bypass has improved our quality of life by reducing congestion and facilitating economic development, a perhaps unexpected benefit is the greater understanding of our past gathered from the archaeological investigations carried out in advance of construction. I greatly welcome the publication of this book, which presents this new knowledge in an accessible and attractive way that can be enjoyed by all.

In the Vale of Tralee is available through local bookshops and can be ordered online from Wordwell (www.wordwellbooks.com). A Kindle version can be purchased on Amazon. It can be also viewed on the TII website (https://www.tii.ie/technical-services/archaeology/publications/tii-heritage/).

News

New Book On History Of Kerry Published

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A NEW book which charts the long and diverse history of County Kerry, in many of its aspects, has been published by Geography Publications as part of its series of county histories.

The 650-page Kerry: History and Society is number 28 of the acclaimed series which when complete, will have dealt with the history and culture of each of Ireland’s 32 counties.

The volume on Kerry is edited by the Cahersiveen-born Professor Maurice J. Bric, of University College Dublin.

It consists of 29 articles by different writers on a variety of subjects as well as an introduction by Kerry native, Professor Joe Lee and a postscript by Tommy O’Connor, Kerry County Librarian.

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Chapters cover a diverse range of topics about the history, archaeology, culture, society, ecology, language, politics, population and economy of Kerry from prehistoric times to date as well as key figures and incidents in the development of the county over thousands of years.

Commenting on the new volume, Professor Bric said: “This new history of Kerry is itself a milestone in the history of the county. It brings together a range of essays on different aspects of our history and culture and how they developed in different parts of the county. Kerry has a rich, diverse and interesting history and the essays reflect this. And I hope that my fellow citizens of Kerry will enjoy reading them.”

Kerry: History and Society is now available in bookshops across Kerry as well as from the Geography Publications website, www.geographypublications.com Orders can also be made by telephone to 01-456-6085.

Entertainment, News

Tralee Author’s Debut Novel Available To Buy Online

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Kelby Guilfoyle.

A TRALEE author has just released their debut novel which is currently available to buy online.

Kelby Guilfoyle is a 23 year old author who identifies as non-binary.

Their debut novel ‘Poppy’ released July 3, takes place in Tralee and is a love letter to growing up in small town Ireland, misunderstood and confused, not knowing who you are or what to do.

The book follows the author’s journey through life, and how finding the right one is almost impossible and how it’s normal to feel down and be alone.

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Kelby is an award-winning playwright performing their shows all over the world, headlining at Galway Fringe, Camden Fringe and Electric Picnic.

Kelby started their journey in their hometown of Tralee, performing plays in local hotels and pubs.

The book is available to buy now through Amazon (by clicking here) and other online retailers. For more see www.kelbyguilfoyle.com

Entertainment, News, WHAT'S ON

Local Man To Launch His Fantasy Novel In Tralee Bookshop

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Aidan Lucid.

A LOCAL author will launch his book at the Action Lesotho Bookshop in the Tralee Shopping Centre on Saturday, December 21, from 1pm-3pm.

Aidan Lucid’s ‘The Lost Son’ is a fantasy novel aimed at both adults and teenage readers. Aidan first began writing this novel back in 2005 while recovering from a serious accident.

In 2010, it was published under a different title, but after leaving the original publisher, he listened to feedback from readers and rewrote large sections of it, adding new characters to make it appeal to both young and old audience. The sequel is due to be released in the second half of next year.

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It’s about a teenaged-boy named Henry Simmons whose life is turned upside down when he finds a magical golden coin.

Henry learns that he and three others (two pilots from 1945 and a cat named Jasper) have been chosen to save King Argoth and his people from an evil race known as the Sadarkians in a parallel medieval world called Zargothia.

Aidan Lucid began writing after a religious experience almost 20 years ago, having since been published in a number of national and international poetry anthologies.

His short stories and articles have appeared in Ireland’s Own, Ireland’s Eye and Writers’ Forum to name but a few magazines.

In 2007, he was a film critic for The Kerryman and, for a period of eight years, was an assistant editor with Bewildering Stories e-zine. Mr Lucid has also written songs for local musicians.

Entertainment, News

PHOTOS: Billy’s Book Launched At Tralee Library

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Johnny Conway with Billy Ryle at the launch of Billy’s book, ‘Christian Brotherly Love’ at Tralee Library on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

THERE was a large turnout for the launch of a new book by a local author in Tralee Library on Wednesday night.

Launched by former editor of The Kerryman, Declan Malone, Billy Ryle’s new novel ‘Christian Brotherly Love’ is a fictional novel set in the 1950’s and 1960’s and is the first in a trilogy of books.

People queued up to have copies of the book signed by Billy, a native of Tralee, before MC for the evening, journalist Kerry O’Shea, started off proceedings where both Billy and Declan Malone addressed those gathered.

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The book itself introduces Barry Kyle, a member of a republican family, a talented Gaelic footballer, a keen student and a loyal friend.

Many contemporaneous issues from the swinging 60’s, including brutality, corporal punishment, homosexuality, adoption, bullying, murder and assassination, are seamlessly embroidered into the story, which conveys the reader to the jungles of Africa, to Peru, Rome, San Francisco and Waterford, where Edmund Ignatius Rice founded the Irish Christian Brothers.

Book can also be purchased online from Amazon. A digital e-book version (kindle) is also available from Amazon. Scroll down for photos…

Phil Dunne, Kerry O’Shea and Paudie Commane at the launch of Billy Ryle’s book, ‘Christian Brotherly Love’ at Tralee Library on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Billy Ryle (centre) with Connie Turner and Bill Looney at the launch of Billy’s book, ‘Christian Brotherly Love’ at Tralee Library on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Seamus McCarthy and Tadhg McMahon at the launch of Billy Ryle’s book, ‘Christian Brotherly Love’ at Tralee Library on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Michael Hayes, Norma Foley and Fr Padraig Walsh at the launch of Billy Ryle’s book, ‘Christian Brotherly Love’ at Tralee Library on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Nigel and Mary Crowe at the launch of Billy Ryle’s book, ‘Christian Brotherly Love’ at Tralee Library on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Billy Ryle with MC for the evening Kerry O’Shea and former editor of The Kerryman Declan Malone who launched Billy’s book, ‘Christian Brotherly Love’ at Tralee Library on Thursday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Entertainment, News

New Book From Local Author To Be Launched At Writers Week

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Anthony Garvey

AWARD-WINNING presenter and locally-based author Anthony Garvey will launch his latest children’s book at 3pm, on Saturday, June, at Listowel Writers’ Week, in the Listowel Community Centre.

Aimed at children between 8-12 years of age, ‘Gravespeakers: Louise’  is the final book in his popular six-book series.

Set in Tralee, it tells the story of Louise, one of six children who discovers on their 12th birthday they have a special gift, they can communicate with the dead!

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Each book tells the story of a different child.  Maria, Ruth, Crispin, Jack and Callum have all completed their challenges.

Everything now depends on Louise. But when we join her at the beginning of book 6, she has a problem.  She is already dead! Can Louise find a way to overcome this ‘setback’ and complete her tasks?

“I have delivered book readings and creative writing workshops in over 50 primary schools in Ireland and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” Garvey said. “My aim is to get a deal for an animated movie or TV show for the Gravespeakers’ series and I will begin work shortly on my new book series.”

Garvey is currently running a competition on  www.gravespeakers.com.  The winner will become the main character of his next book.

They will contribute to the direction and shape of the story and help with the marketing and social media promotion of the book.

Two local children Ruth McCarthy (Ballybunion) and Callum Houston (Blennerville) won Anthony’s previous competition to be the main character in his books.

Garvey’s books are available on Amazon, on Kindle and on Audible as audio books. Signed copies of the book will be available at Listowel Writers’ Week for €10 on the day or by contacting Anthony on 087 79 79 2 79 anthony.garvey@quinngarveypr.com

Entertainment, News

The Story Of The Original Rose Of Tralee To Be Told In New Book

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A NEW book about the story behind the original Rose of Tralee, Mary O’Connor, will be released on May 1.

In the tradition of bestselling historical novels ‘Becoming Belle’, ‘The Signature of all Things’ and ‘Love is Blind’, comes ‘The First Rose of Tralee’ from Patricia O’Reilly.

According to the publishers, Poolbeg Press, this is an account of “the young girl as beautiful as she was innocent and caring whose attributes live on in the annual Rose of Tralee International Festival – in 2019 celebrating its Diamond Anniversary, sixty years of Festival success.”

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“Ireland in the mid-eighteen hundreds was a place of great riches, great poverty and political turmoil. The Mulchinocks lived in style, the O’Connors in poverty and Daniel O’Connell held monster political rallies. And then William Mulchinock and Mary O’Connor fell in love – their story is spellbinding, and he wrote for her the perennial Rose of Tralee Ballad, anthem of the Festival.”

“Wonderfully told, vividly evoking the sights sounds and characters of Ireland pre-Famine, and when India was the jewel in the crown of the British Empire. Patricia O’Reilly weaves an enthralling tale.”

So if you like the sound of that, you can buy the book from May 1 for €15.99. Patricia O’Reilly is the author of several historical novels as well as contemporary and non-fiction titles.

She has come the route of freelance print journalism, made radio documentaries and plays and teaches fiction writing in UCD.

Entertainment, News

New Anthology Of Kerry Poets Launched

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Kerry County Council’s writer in residence Annemarie Ní Churreáin pictured at the launch of ‘Still In The Dreaming’ – an anthology of Kerry poets at Muckross House, Killarney with some of the writers and trustee of Muckross House, seated from left, Kate Kennelly, Kerry Arts Officer, Annemarie Ní Churreáin, John Joe Culloty, Vice-Chairman, Killarney MD and Philomena Hearne. At back, Geraldine Rosney, Faye Boland, Elizabeth Murtough, Kevin Griffin, Lola Scollard, Barbara Derbyshire, Lorraine Carey, Bernadette Ní Riada, Michael Joyce, John McGrath, and Mary Lavery Carrig, Lily Cronin and Denis Reidy. Photo: Don MacMonagle

MUCKROSS House was the beautiful venue for the launch of a stunning new book ‘Still In The Dreaming’ recently.

Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr. John Joe Culloty launched the book, praising the quality of the poems and the dedication of the writers to their craft.

Last June a call-out for submissions to Kerry County Council’s writer in residence Annemarie Ní Churreáin, on social media, newspaper and radio as well as through the Arts Office’s own e-newsletter drew a huge response.

Sixteen poets were selected, and they worked with Annemarie to polish and hone their poems in preparation for publication.

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These poets are Barbara Derbyshire, Bernadette Ní Riada, Conor Cleary, Elizabeth Murtough, Faye Boland, John McGrath, Kevin Griffin, Lola Scollard, Lorraine Carey, Marian Relihan, Mary Lavery Carrig, Michael Joyce, Noel King, Paul Murphy, Philomena Hearne (nee Stack) and Victoria Kennefick.

The workshops took place in Kerry County Museum and Annemarie has now overseen the editing and publication of these poems.

“I chose ‘Still In The Dreaming’ for the title of the book as a tribute to the late John Moriarty,” she explains. “John was a poet who was deeply inspired by nature and he described Kerry’s landscape as one that was still in the dreaming.”

Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer, adds, ‘These new poems all capture in their own way the deep connections of nature and nurture that Kerry people feel for the world and people around them. Each poem is a worthy addition to the treasure that is Kerry literature and the book is something to be proud of.”

The writer in residence programme will recommence in March 2019 and further details will be posted on @KerryCoArts on twitter and facebook and in the e-newsletter which can be subscribed to through Kerry County Council’s website.

Copies of Still In The Dreaming can be bought for a limited time through the Arts Office at Kerry County Council. They will also be available for loan through Kerry Libraries.

Entertainment, News

Blennerville Pupil Callum Is The Hero In New ‘Gravespeakers’ Book

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Callum Houston of Blennerville NS with ‘Gravespeakers’ author Anthony Garvey.

AWARD-winning presenter and author Anthony Garvey launched his new children’s book on Friday at Blennerville National School, as a pupil there stars in it!

Aimed at 8-12 year olds, the Gravespeakers’ series tells the stories of six children who discover on their 12th birthday they have a special gift – they can communicate with the dead!

“Parents love the books because they’re creepy without being scary and because they encourage their children to read more,” author Anthony Garvey said. “I have done book readings and creative writing workshops in over 40 primary schools in Ireland and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.”

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‘Gravespeakers: Callum’ is the fifth in the six-book series.  It tells the story of Callum Houston, a confident and popular 12-year-old.

His challenge is to lead Blennerville National School to victory in the debating finals. But by the time he finds out what the challenge is, his team has already lost the debate.

Callum must use his newly-discovered powers of interdimensional travel to go back in time and try to secure the victory he needs.

“Callum won my competition last year to be the star of the book,” said Garvey. “His prize involved him in every element of the writing process and he helped to shape the story as it grew from a blank sheet of paper to a finished book.”

Signed copies of the book are available for €10 by contacting Anthony on 087 79 79 2 79 or  anthony.garvey@quinngarveypr.com .  The book is also available as an ebook on Kindle and can be bought on Amazon.

Other books in the series include Gravespeakers: Maria, Gravespeakers: Ruth, Gravespeakers: Crispin and Gravespeakers: Jack.

Entertainment, News

Radio Kerry Journalist Releases Third Book

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Eamonn Hickson.

A RADIO Kerry journalist has published his third novel which is now on sale.

Annascaul man Eamonn Hickson has released ‘Terror’, a thriller in which three people decide to commit a terror attack.

The journalist says writing about this topic was not a reaction to recent terror attacks, but rather an attempt to imagine the viewpoint of would-be terrorists.

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The cover of ‘Terror’ by Eamonn Hickson.

“Unfortunately, the frequency of terror attacks is increasing, and with each occurrence, the terrorists’ race and religion are brought into the conversation,” said Eamonn.

“Religion and birthplace are overanalysed, yet the attackers’ motivations are ignored. While not condoning the actions of extremists, I wanted to see if it was possible to write from the ‘other side’ of the attacks,” he added.

Prior to his latest release, Eamonn published two standalone novels: The History Maker (2012) and Angel of Death (2013). Terror, which was released on Friday, is the first of a planned trilogy. It’s available online in both eBook and paperback form on Amazon.co.uk.

Eamonn graduated with an honours degree in Creative Writing for Digital Media from the Institute of Technology Tralee earlier this year.

Entertainment, News, Sport

PHOTOS: Tomás Ó Sé Is Having A Busy Weekend As He Signs Book In Easons

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Tomás Ó Sé at Easons in Tralee on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

WELL Tomás Ó Sé is having a busy weekend.

The five-time All-Ireland medal winner was over in the Kerry GAA store in Killarney at 11am on Saturday morning, where he signed hundreds of copies of his autobiography, ‘The White Heat’.

Fans queued patiently for the former Gaeltacht player, whose book has been receiving great reviews for its candid look at his football career.

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It was on then to Easons in Tralee, where more fans from all over the county queued up to get a chance of a photo and the author’s signature.

Sunday sees him heading back to Cork for the minor matter of a Cork SFC final replay, where he’ll play for his adopted club Nemo Rangers against Castlehaven.

He’ll then hop back into the car and drive back to Killarney for the official launch of the book.

The Brehon Hotel is the venue for the launch, performed by fellow author and former team-mate Paul Galvin, while his former clubman from out west, Dara Ó Cinnéide will be the MC for the evening.

When that’s over, you might have an oul rest there Tomás.

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Elaine and Kieran Fealy from Abbeydorney with Tomás Ó Sé at Easons on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Paul Murphy from Scartaglin with Tomás Ó Sé at Easons on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Ciara Galwey and Jason McKenna with Tomás Ó Sé at Easons on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Therese Hehir and Meadhbh Nolan, Limerick, waiting for Tomás Ó Sé to sign their copies of his book at Easons on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mary O’Connor, Ardfert, Róisín, Gerry and Mary Kate Smith, Glenbeigh in the queue at Tomás Ó Sé’s book signing at Easons on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Entertainment, News

Ten Year Old Sandra Presents Her New Book To Kerry Library

 

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Sandra Agwu was at Kerry Library today to donate copies of her newly published book, Bob The Bully. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.

THERE was cause for pride and celebration in one small part of town today as a highly creative 10 year old girl generously donated copies of her book ‘Bob The Bully’ to the staff of Kerry Library.

Sandra Agwu is a 6th class student in the Presentation Primary School here in town, but what she might lack in years, she certainly makes up for in literary talent, with ‘Bob’ being her second title.

She was down at the Kerry Library on Friday afternoon with her proud mother Joy, where she presented County Librarian Tommy O’Connor with her book.

It’s a book that no doubt took a lot of hard work and dedication to finish and the result is a highly impressive and illustrated piece of art, which carries with it a very strong message behind its covers and between the lines.

“It’s about a boy called Bob. He’s good at the beginning of the book, but then he just turns bad for no reason. Then though at the end of it, he realises what he’s been doing is bad and not right. He tries to be good then after this,” said Sandra, talking to TraleeToday.ie on Friday.

“I was watching TV and there is a lot of bullying in the shows. Some people in some schools, wherever they go to, people get bullied. The bullies, if they read that book, it might help them change as well,” she continued.

“I’ve been coming here [to the library] since I was two, and I really like it here. I thought it’d be very cool if I had a book in here,” she finished.

Her mother, Joy Agwu is herself a published author having written five books so far, so it’s clear that her talent for the written word has spread to her daughter.

“I’m very proud, very proud of her. She said that got inspired through my writing, which is good,” said Joy.

“She [Sandra] doesn’t like children bullying children, so she wrote the book to advise children that bullying is not okay and not a good thing. I read it myself and I discovered that she was saying a lot of things, not just to children, but to more of us as well. She doesn’t like bullying and she doesn’t like anyone being bullied either,” Joy finished.

Members of the public can pick up copies of ‘Bob The Bully’ from the library now, with a few copies possibly being available from Polymaths Book Store in the near future.

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From left: Norma Foley, Joy Agwu, Sandra Agwu, Tommy O’Connor and Ciara McCann at the launch of Bob The Bully at the Kerry Library on Friday evening. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.

 

Entertainment, News

Local Woman Is One Of 12 Authors Nationally To Take Part In ‘Novel Fair 2015’

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Barbara Lovric is a shortlisted finalist for the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2015

A TRALEE resident is in one of 12 writers who have been selected from almost 250 applicants to participate in Novel Fair 2015, an annual Irish Writers Centre initiative which will take place on Saturday, February 21.

Barbara Magee Lovric, an avid and talented writer from Knocknacuig in Tralee, has won a prestigious place amongst these 12 finalists.

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The Novel Fair, now in its fourth year aims to introduce up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents, giving novelists the opportunity to bypass the waiting pile, pitch their ideas and place their synopsis and sample chapters directly into the hands of publishers and agents.

A writer since she was a child, Barbara, – who is originally from the US but has been living here in Tralee for over 16 years – has been writing seriously for the past six years or so and it seems that her hard work has certainly paid off.

She is understandably delighted with the news.

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“It’s an amazing opportunity, I’m really, really grateful to the ‘Irish Writers Centre’ for having such a wonderful contest. Just to get someone to look at your work…it’s very challenging,” she said.

Having first heard of the competition a few years ago through social media and ‘The Irish Writers Centre’, she was initially reluctant to enter it, but bit the bullet soon afterwards and entered for this year.

She is understandably coy about giving too many details away about the plot of the book, but she is willing to divulge that it is an “epic historical novel”.

So, what happens next for this wordsmith?

“The 12 finalists, we’ll be given a press day, which is basically a seminar which will teach us how to pitch our novels. Then, on February 21, we will have a ‘Novel Fair’.”

“The format for the Novel Fair is kind of like speed-dating. Each author who won one of the places will have their own table and they have 15 minutes to pitch their novel to a literary agent or publisher. Then, we just keep rotating.”

“After that, if the agents or publishers are interested in your idea, then they will ask for your full manuscript and then take it from there.”

We’re sure everyone in Tralee will have their fingers crossed for her on February 21!

If anyone would like more information on the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair, it can be found here.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Christmas Gifts: The Pick Of Books For 2014

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anne o'neillLocal writer, Anne O’Neill, gives her pick of the books for Christmas for all the family…

Christmas 2014 lies tantalizingly on the horizon and the annual frenzy to find gifts for loved ones has begun.

I’ve always been a great believer in gifting books at Christmas. They are, after all, the gift that can be opened and enjoyed again and again.

Few gifts are as personal as books; giving a book that is meaningful to you or one that reflects the individual interests of friends and family can demonstrate thoughtfulness and care.

An inscription written and signed with love can be the pièce de résistance and imbue the book with great nostalgic significance.

Here are some of my choices for Christmas 2014…

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Unravelling Oliver 1‘Unravelling Oliver’ by Liz Nugent

It’s always good to support Irish authors especially at Christmas time. This is a debut from Liz Nugent who has worked in Irish film, theatre and television before penning this engaging novel.

Liz has burst onto the literary scene this year with her riveting psychological thriller which in emotive prose tries to unravel the complexities behind the sociopathic Oliver, who in the opening chapter beats his wife so brutally that she ends in a coma.

The novel is ambitious in its scope as a chilling back story emerges which attempts to explain the brutal behavior of Oliver. It’s a good buy for any reader who enjoys a touch of Irish noir on a Winter’s night.

there-are-little-kingdomsShort story collections

Short story collections are ideal gifts for readers who are time poor but still like an immersion in a carefully constructed literary world.

Kevin Barry is the king of the Irish short story and I would defy anybody not to derive enjoyment from the stories in his collection ‘There Are Little Kingdoms’.

Young Skins 2014_2Following in his wake is the amazing Colin Barrett whose extraordinary debut short-story collection ‘Young Skins’ has been shortlisted in the Guardian First Book Award.

Both Kevin Barry and Colin Barrett evoke and describe characters in rural Ireland and this form of fiction has been affectionately described as culchie noir.

‘Young Skins’ is set in a fictional town in Co.Mayo but it could equally be any town in rural Ireland.  Either collections would make a great gift for 20 or 30 somethings who would like to see modern Ireland depicted with a subtle touch of sensitivity and harshness.

Assassination‘The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher’ by Hilary Mantel

Twice Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel is one of the most accomplished and acclaimed writers and she has published a collection of short stories called The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher.

This collection is an ideal buy for any readers who like her whimsical wry and intelligent style.

Nora Webster UK‘Nora Webster’ by Colm Toibin

Lovers of Brooklyn will love this new novel by Toibin as he returns to Ireland in the late 60’s and follows the trials and triumphs of Nora Webster and her four children in the aftermath of her husband’s sudden death. Character and place take precedence over plot in this quiet and atmospheric novel.

US‘Us’ by David Nicholls

I was a huge fan of One Day and can only imagine how difficult it was for Nicholls to write the follow up. The publication of Us has been eagerly awaited by readers and I have just got my copy today. This novel takes us on a European tour with a mismatched couple.

This is a picaresque and poignant tale of a marriage under strain, where the biochemist anti-hero Douglas Petersen undertakes an InterRailing trip across Europe with his wife Connie and teenage son Albie.

The holiday becomes Doug’s last chance to win back the affections of his wife and son, a story told with affection and humour by Nicholls whose skill as a writer helps to engage the reader’s empathy with all the characters. I expect it will be top of the list at all Book Clubs this year.

Biographies of Sporting Heroes 

Paul GalvinSports fans are spoiled for choice with the latest offerings from Paul Galvin and Brian O’Driscoll.

Frankly who wouldn’t want to have either of these sporting heroes in their Christmas stocking?  Galvin is one of the greatest GAA footballers of the modern era and has had a career marked by courage, passion and the odd controversial incident.

His book, ‘In My Own Words’ is a compelling read of his journey in his inimitable style and in his own words.

Brian O'DriscollFor the rugby fan this long awaited autobiography by the greatest rugby player of our time, Brian O’Driscoll, would be an ideal gift.   ‘In The Test’ shares details of both personal and professional milestones and tries to pack his long and glittering career into just 400 pages.

Children and Young Adult Books for Christmas

David WalliamsWhat better Christmas stocking-filler for the junior bookworm in your house than a new book?

Once the initial excitement of the traditional dawn raid on Santa’s presents and selection boxes has worn off a few hours peace may just be guaranteed with the right choice of reading material.

David Walliams is currently the fastest-growing children’s author in the UK and the comedian’s style has been compared to Roald Dahl.  His book is beautifully illustrated by Tony Ross and has been described by a young reviewer friend as a really good laugh and as one of the funniest books ever.

For young adults you can’t go wrong with any of the books by author John Green from The Fault In Our Stars to Paper Towns.   Greens novels are an example of how literature can increase our empathy and allow us to glimpse other lives.

I’ve often gifted The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.  The hero Holden Caulfield with his cynical voice and adolescent angst still strikes a chord with the teenager of the iPad generation.

Lots of suggestions above for holiday reads and gifts.  Best enjoyed next to a roaring fire in a comfy chair.  Happy reading…

Entertainment, News

Talented Mother And Daughter Duo To Launch Books

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THEY say talent runs in the family and this is certainly the case with Joy Agwu and her nine year old daughter Sandra.

The two of them are set to release books at the same time in the County Library on June 21.

Joy originally from Nigeria has been living in Tralee the past 10 years and said she enjoys living in the town where she says the people have been friendly and helpful since she arrived.

The novel titled, ‘I Live By The Gun’ will be her third published book and is set against the backdrop of corruption in modern day Nigeria. In the book Joy is not afraid to shy away from complex issues and tackles them in a manner that is intelligent, perceptive and relevant. (continued below)

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Daughter and mother novelists, Sandra and Joy Agwu. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Daughter Sandra’s book ‘Mark the Genius’ is a great insight into the mind of a child and how they interact and adjust to the world around them. “It’s about a boy named Mark who helps out in school. If the teachers can’t calm the children down he will do it,” Sandra said.

Sandra is nine now, but finished writing the book when she was eight.

“She didn’t tell me she was writing a book,” said Joy. “One day it was her turn to wash the dishes and I was looking for her, I couldn’t find her so I came to the living room and found her there on the computer. I started giving out because I thought she was playing a game, but when I saw what she had on the screen it turned out she was writing a book.”

“The book was hard, but I wanted to write one like my mom,” said Sandra, who is now working on another book.

Joy said she is studying psychology for a masters in social care, while also working on a new play.

The launch of both books will take place at Tralee Library on Saturday, June 21 at 2:30pm.

Both of these books are available to buy online, in print and e-book editions, from Joy’s official website and other online retailers. Signed copies will be on sale at the launch at a special price.