Books to be launched in Borrisoleigh

Two Borrisoleigh authors are coming together to launch their respective works on Sunday (December 8th at 4pm) in the town’s Community Centre. Local historian John Connors and poet Derry Bourke have produced two works that will be much sought after in Borrisoleigh and beyond. 

The inspiration for John Connors’ book 'Beneath Headstones, - Beyond Headlines' came while he was involved in documenting the headstones in the local Glenkeen graveyard. Noting on many of the departed that lie within the confines of that ancient burial site, he began his research, to find that many of those were prominent throughout times of war, famine, rebellion, land agitations, elections, sporting accomplishments, etc.

The book contains almost fifty short stories from Borrisoleigh’s past, along with some interesting or amusing snippets taken from the newspaper archives.

Meanwhile, Derry Bourke follows in the footsteps of his granduncle, Martin Kenny, who penned the well-known ballad, 'Templederry my Home'. He has put together a concise booklet of some poems and verses that he has written over the years. Derry, well recognised as an old-style guitar playing balladeer [a gift he has handed on to his son Paudie, who features regularly on local and national radio], has been composing verses since his youth. This booklet of poems contains a cross section of his written work, dealing with a wide range of subjects and collected over many years. 

John Flannery of Ormond Historical Society will be MC for the evening, music and song will be provided by Paudie Bourke and Teresa Larkin. The official launch will be performed by Fr Gerard Hennessy PP.