'Sea and Stone' - The County Waterford Coastline
By Paddy Dwan and Mark Roper. Price €30. Published 2023.
Sea and the Stone takes a journey along the cliffs and into the coves of County Waterford, from Dunmore East to Ferrypoint. The book is divided into 5 sections, whose pictures and text juxtapose images and accounts of natural history, personal experience, artistic activity, industrial history, shipwreck, geology, and much more. Five years in the making, aiming to portray both the seas caress and its cruelty, the book between sea and stone. It joins The River Book, the Backstrand, and Comeragh, to form a unique quartet of books about County Waterford.
“Photographer Paddy Dwan and writer Mark Roper have collaborated to celebrate the cliffs, caves, and wildlife of the Waterford coast and people living along it. Packed with insights and idiosyncrasies, their journey from Dunmore East to Ferrypoint embraces birds, flora, geology, industrial history and fishing. Personal stories, including one from Ardmore potter Mary Lincoln, are interspersed with accounts of shipwrecks and ghost ships.”
'An Irishman's War' by Jim Lynch, Price: €6 (Arrived 2019)
Jim Lynch’s granduncle, James O Donnell (Uncle Jimmy) who was born in 1896 at 8 Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir, joined the British Army at the beginning of the First World War.
He took with him a pocket notebook – a gift from his sister, Mollie – in which he noted details of his service in the latter part of the war and the years immediately following. When Uncle Jimmy died in 1971, the notebook came into Jim’s possession. An Irishman’s War, produced to mark the centenary of the end of the conflict, is based largely on that little notebook. Part diary, part memoir, the book paints a vivid, often surprising, picture of James O
Donnell’s life as a young man thousands of miles from home, and later, back in County Tipperary, as a mentor, story-teller and something of a hero to his young great-nephew.
€6
Camchuairt na Carraige agus Eolas ar an gCúltir
A Tour of Carrick-on-Suir and Information on its Hinterland.
Price: €10
Tíolacadh an leabhrán seo do Chonraitheoirí ó Charraig na Siúire idir bheo agus mharbh a shaothraigh i ngort na teanga thar na blianta. Tá an leabhrán lán d’eolas suimiúil faoi Charraig na Siúire agus an Ceantar Máguaird. Ní féidir linn a rá go bhfuil an leabhrán seo cuimsitheach ach rinneamar ár ndícheall an t-eolas ar fad a bhailiú. Má tá ainmneacha ar lár ná tóg orainn é.
"This book is dedicated to members, living and deceased of Conradh na Gaeilge in Carrick-on-Suir who have laboured in the vineyards of Gaelic Culture. There was a lot of work involved in the compilation of this booklet. We received valuable help from a lot of people in the area, without mentioning an names. We are grateful to them.
The booklet is full of interesting information about Carrick-on-Suir and its hinterland. We have tried to make it as comprehensive as possible.
Inevitably, in a booklet such as this there will be omissions. Please forgive us."
Tomás Ó Nialláin, Céline Ní Chóchlaigh, Anraí Mac Seoigh agus Treasa Mhic Sheoigh.
Launch of 'Camchuairt na Carraige agus Eolas ar an gCúltir' Talk by Fr. Ned Hassett.
'Hydrangeas' by Mary Power Kelly
An account of the author's childhood in the 1950s growing up on an isolated farm between Stradbally and Kilmacthomas in Co. Waterford, Ireland; interspersed with the author's own poems and paintings --
'Green Shoes' A memoir by Mary Power Kelly
'Green Shoes' A memoir by Mary Power Kelly
Mary is a retired nurse/midwife and chiropodist living in Kilmacow, Co. Kilkenny.
Green shoes is an account of Mary's boarding school days at the Mercy Convent secondary school in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary between 1965 and 1970...this memoir portrays a long disappeared world which Mary has vividly brought back to life from her old diaries and scrapbooks of the time. An engaging walk down memory lane is promised.
Price:€15
Front cover artwork by Mary.
'The Tale of Two Hospitals' by Mary Power Kelly
'Inner Compass' by Nicholas Galliott O'Keeffe
'Inner Compass' by Nicholas Galliott O'Keeffe, One man's spiritual journey
This is my story: Born in Ireland during the Second World War, raised in a traditional Catholic environment, ordained a Catholic priest and served in Africa. In my mid-thirties, I sailed to Canada where I worked as a parish priest on the west coast of Newfoundland for the next twelve years. Then my life-long spiritual quest drew me into solitude as a publicly professed hermit in the church. I trained to become a potter to support myself in this lifestyle and went on to live a life of solitude and prayer in a hermitage in the Codroy Valley for twenty-five years. At the age of 64, I chose to leave the church and subsequently married. In my marriage to a soulmate and best friend I discovered the spiritual at its most universal, in an experience of human love. My life has been a journey from the experience of authority to the authority of experience.
Beautifully published, Price: €15
"I was born in Carrick-on-Suir in 1941, left Carrick at 17 to join the priesthood, served as a priest in Africa and Canada and later became a publicly professed hermit in the Church. I experienced a deep betrayal by the Church and left to live as a layman. I've been married now for 10 years. My life has been a journey from the experience of authority to the authority of experience.
The talk in Carrick-on-Suir library will be an opportunity to have a conversation about my journey and about our collective journeys as soulful people. At this moment in history our Catholic Church is going through unprecedented upheaval challenging many of us to ask the big questions in the silence of our own lives.
Questions like: At this point in my life what matters most on my soulful journey?
There is no public forum available to us as a community. Perhaps this gathering can offer a limited opportunity for such a public conversation." Nicholas O’Keeffe
The talk in Carrick-on-Suir library will be an opportunity to have a conversation about my journey and about our collective journeys as soulful people. At this moment in history our Catholic Church is going through unprecedented upheaval challenging many of us to ask the big questions in the silence of our own lives.
Questions like: At this point in my life what matters most on my soulful journey?
There is no public forum available to us as a community. Perhaps this gathering can offer a limited opportunity for such a public conversation." Nicholas O’Keeffe
Carrick-on-Suir native Nick O’Keeffe, currently living in Newfoundland, hosted a very interesting discussion in the library on Wednesday night.
Nick has led a remarkable life as a priest, hermit within the church and latterly as a layman. His story, which he recounts in his book ‘Inner Compass’, is a very personal journey on the path to finding spirituality.
Thank you Nick for taking the time, during your visit home, to come and share your wonderful experiences with everyone. (Seán Healy Memorial Library).
Kevin English, singer/ songwriter/ musician from Carrick-on-Suir...son of Jim & Joan English has just published a fabulous book...
"Irish Kevin, My Story, So Far"!
From the author:
This captivating book takes you on a journey through my exciting life and amazing adventures, as if I am telling you the story in person. Born and raised in the south of Ireland, I began singing and playing guitar at a young age, and went on to perform all over Ireland and throughout Europe.
But that's just the beginning - in the mid-eighties, I set my sights on America and immediately fell in love with the country. For 6 unforgettable years, I traveled from coast to coast, performing as a solo artist and with other talented musicians. From the bright lights of the big city to the stunning coastline, I had one incredible experience after another.
But the real adventure began when I arrived in Key West, Florida, a place known as "Paradise USA". There, I landed a full-time gig performing at a popular club on Duval Street, and fell in love with the island's vibrant atmosphere and beautiful weather. You'll read all about my nightly performances at Rum Runners from 1992-1998, and the wild and wonderful experiences that came with it.
But that's not all - I'll also take you on the incredible journey of opening my own bar, Irish Kevin's, in 1998. From the early days to its status as one of the world's most popular live entertainment bars, you'll be riveted by the story of how it all came to be, as well as the fascinating tales that happened along the way.
So if you're looking for a book that will transport you to a world of excitement, music, and inspiration, look no further than "Irish Kevin, My Story, So Far"!
Limited quantities
Price: €18
This is a real page turner of a book ...that is difficult to put down! I read it in one night...a wonderful read!
Great Christmas gift to give and receive.
'The Famine Lie' - By Seamus Fogarty
A former Carrick-on-Suir councillor at the grand age of 89 has published a book about the Great Famine that also features some fascinating social history about the rural community where he grew up.
The Famine Lie is Seamus Fogarty’s second book and is based on historical research he has carried out and anecdotal stories about that tragic period in Irish history passed down through generations of his family.
Seamus from Poulmaleen, Faugheen is well known to many in Carrick-on-Suir from the nine years he served as an Independent councillor on the former Carrick-on-Suir Urban District Council from 1985 to 1994.
He is also the former editor and writer of the Poulmaleen Post magazine and a keen gardener and naturalist who penned a weekly wildlife column for The Nationalist called Country Life when the late Brendan Long was the paper’s Editor.
Seamus’ book pointedly blames the actions of the British authorities for the Great Famine ( 1845 to 1849).
He has named the book “The Famine Lie” and refers to that period as the “so called Famine” because he argues the mass death of so many people in Ireland through starvation occurred at that time despite the fact there was a huge amount of food produced in Ireland.
“In my view and in the view of some historians there was loads of food in Ireland but it was being exported to England. When the potato crop failed instead of stopping the exports they continued,” he said.
“For instance during the most severe part of the Famine in 1848 exports to England amounted to 190,000 cattle, 324,000 sheep and lambs, 106,000 pigs, 3,000 sacks of oatmeal, 5,000 sacks of flour and so on.”
Seamus’ book recalls the heartbreaking tragedy of how countless “downtrodden” peasants starved to death in their humble dwellings and were buried in shallow graves without coffins. And it details how many of those who emigrated to America in overcrowded “coffin” ships ended up in watery graves at the bottom of the Atlantic.
It also details the evictions that took place countrywide during the Famine and features 10 photographs of such evictions, copies of which he secured from the National Library.
Seamus used the research of Chicago based historian and namesake Chris Fogarty on the Famine in his book. He also examined first-hand accounts journalists wrote for newspapers like The Freeman’s Journal.
He owns a collection of newspapers from that period that belonged to his late father.
Stories were also handed down to him by his paternal grandmother whose mother and grandmother lived through the Great Hunger.
He devotes the second half of the book to some fascinating social history from the Cregg area close to Carrick-on-Suir where he was born and grew up. He recalls the local landlords, the Sadlier family, who lived in the mansion on the Cregg Estate and their relationship with local people.
Seamus writes about three spinster sisters, Anne, Augusta and Louisa Sadlier who lived there and the run in his grandfather Jack Harris, who was the local blacksmith, had with them.
“You can read in the book about the letter sent by the sisters to Jack Harris warning him of serious consequences unless he ceased shooting pheasants on their estate and about his John Wayne like response to the warning.”
Seamus also writes in the book of how much he misses his beloved sister Maureen, who passed away a year ago at the age of 91.
Maureen, who had special needs, lived with Seamus and he recalls fondly how she had been looking forward to him publishing his second book.
Seamus only took up writing in his 80s and published his first book, a memoir of his life called “When Night is Falling” in 2019 at the age of 84.
Seamus says you can inspect and read extracts from, The Famine Lie, in Carrick-on-Suir Library, plus samples of the original Freeman’s Journal newspapers published during the Great Famine.
Price: €9.50
(Tipperary Live News, July 2024)
John Harris and his cousin Seamus Fogarty, author of The Famine Lie, operating an ancient quern stone to grind wheat into prapeen (flour).
'When Night is Falling' - by Seamus Fogarty
A dip into anyone’s life story is always a shared emotional journey guided through their eyes. However, to be led through Seamus Fogarty’s raw account of his life from infancy to his 80s in his memoir, When Night is Falling, is a rare privilege.
Seamus from Poulmaleen, Faugheen is well known to many in Carrick-on-Suir from the nine years he served as a maverick Independent councillor on the former Carrick-on-Suir Urban District Council from 1985 to 1994.
The 84 year-old is also the former editor and writer of the Poulmaleen Post magazine.
When Night is Falling’ reflects on the wealth and poverty, compassion, tragedy and survival in rural Ireland close Carrick-on-Suir.
It is tinged with bitter regret of a drinking habit that shrouded his senses for half a century in between ‘shots’ of ‘sober time’ during which he worked tirelessly at home and in England.
His beautifully written book is laced with wit and anecdotal tales of his family and the characters he met along his journey and is filled with photographs and sketches that are a portal to his past.
The book highlights Seamus' respect for his hard working father James, who opened a little library in his grocers shop in Carrick-on-Suir in 1935, and never gave up no matter what he endured in his business life.
Seamus' love for his gentle, easy going mother, Josephine, whose strength of character bound the family together over the years, is evident in the wonderful stories he tells of their past. Seamus Fogarty was born in Cregg, Carrick-on-Suir in 1935 and moved to Poulmaleen (Little Hollow) in 1945 where he still lives with his older sister Maureen (88), who was born with special needs.
He is her full time carer and both of them enjoy a healthy organic lifestyle. Maureen adores Daniel O’Donnell and listens to his music every day and her bedroom wall is adorned with posters and photos of him.
Seamus is a passionate organic gardener/horticulturist and a member of the Henry Doubleday Research Association, and Garden Organic in England.
For years he has tried to breed a new rose variety, through hybridizing and cross-pollinating. He says he wants to create a rose "so unique and beautiful it would merit being registered and named ‘Michelle’ after Hollywood actress and ardent vegan, Michelle Pfeiffer, (with her permission of course).”
He mourns the eradication of wildlife, the cuckoos, corncrakes, curlews, water hens and mallards to mention a few.
"The country is overrun with predators” he says. "When I was young there was a bounty on predators, now they are a protected species.”
He writes regularly to the government agencies on the disappearing species, which were once so abundant. He also wrote a wildlife column for a period in The Nationalist. A few years ago he returned to the little cottage in Cregg where he was born, which is now overgrown and empty except for the cattle in the fields around it. The following is an extract from his book.
“But the memories live on, memories of carefree days when the sun was always shining and life was so simple and so uncomplicated. Around that little yard, our personalities were formed, and the orange blossom tree in particular was the focal point of our existence.
"It bore witness to our laughter, our tears and our youthfulness. And later, when we roamed the earth, having our good times and our bad times, making our mistakes and enduring our misfortunes, it bloomed there in our absence every spring without fail. And words cannot describe how very glad I am that it survived all the years and blooms today as good as ever. Before leaving, I leaned in over the little bridge nearby and gazed down into the Linguan River. I closed my eyes and all the memories came flooding back. I heard voices, familiar voices, long since gone from this life, and deep within my heart, as the poet said, ‘lay thoughts too deep for tears’.”
This is a book that will linger with you long after it has been read. It is an endearing insight into a past era, its people, rich and poor, their hard working lives to survive and their connection to family, land, nature, faith and cures.
When Night is Falling, Seamus Fogarty’s self-published book.
Price: €9.50
'Keri - My Inspiration' by Clodagh Sweeney
Clodagh Sweeney, Fethard, Co. Tipperary self-published a book 'Keri, My Inspiration' sharing the incredible story of her daughter's fight for survival after catastrophic brain injuries she experienced at birth, and which resulted on a case she successfully contested against HSE in the High Court in 2009.
The story is about a mother unwavering love and determination to overcome all odds...despite the challenges they faced...Keri proved to be a true warrior, but sadly passed away on 20th October 2019 on her 16th birthday.
Clodagh's writing is raw and honest, and deeply moving, making this book a must read for anyone looking for inspiration and hope.
Price: €15
Profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the 'Make a Wish' Foundation.
Clodagh launched the book in the Talbot Hotel, Clonmel - February 8th, 2024 and had a turnout of 300 people, she has sold/distributed to Retailers her first 750 copies...this is just the beginning...
The following is the back page script:-
“Writhing in agony on the labour ward, terrified and frantic, I begged for an end to the torment for us both. In the final moments before I was gassed to sleep for an emergency caesarean, I made a pact with God. A pact I swore I would keep.
I had lost a baby before; I couldn’t lose another. Let this baby live. Don’t let it die. If it makes it, I will make it work. Nothing else matters.
She lived. And by God, did we live. Sixteen beautiful years to the day. 5,844 precious, sacred days.
My Keri blazed through a smog of medical incompetence, wounded and hurting from her first battle but by no means broken.
She fought for me that night, so we could be together. So that she could show me what life is really about, so that I could learn what I am made of.
This is our love story.”
Why is this book important:
This is a revealing and as yet untold story of the challenges faced by individuals and their families, burdened with the consequences of catastrophic brain injuries arising from medical incompetence. While we too frequently see children like Keri on the steps of the High Court at the conclusion of protracted litigation, never before has such detail been shared as to what actually takes place behind the scenes, day to day and year to year. This book unearths the truth and reality of such lives through the lens and voice of a devoted mother.
In Keri’s case, it reveals the child, the real human life and unique soul behind the ‘label’, of her diagnosis. It takes her out of the “disability” box and illustrates the full life she led in the most heart-warming and uplifting manner. Despite the circumstances leading to Keri’s difficulties, this book is not a bitter tale, but rather an encouraging and inspirational one, inviting readers to celebrate and embrace each day with loved ones.
It is a story of the patchwork crafting by me, her beloved mother of Keri’s difficult but most treasured life, following the most unthinkable tragedy and heartbreak.
This book offers a unique insight to the life of a child with profound physical and intellectual disabilities, the lives of her family and the interaction with her community and the myriad professionals she encountered.
Although a difficult subject matter, this book is not a hard read, with first hand narration, short chapters and a “page turning” tempo. All test readers to date have thoroughly enjoyed it like Suzie McAdam, Mark Pollock, Professor, Luke O’Neill and others.
