Local schoolteachers remembered

Nenagh’s Rodney Bent and former Toomevara headmaster Tom MacDonald are the dedicatees of Brendan Lynch’s new book, which will be launched in Dublin next month.

Dublin’s Latin Quarter records the homes and haunts of some of Ireland’s greatest writers and artists.

From Francis Bacon, Samuel Beckett and Brendan Behan to Maeve Binchy, Mary Lavin, Maura Laverty and the Wilde family.

The Toomevara writer said: “I owe these teachers for first inspiring my interest in literature. Without them, I would probably have not taken up writing.

“As a further tribute to these two inspirers, Nenagh Bookshop will be the first Irish shop to stock my book before December’s planned launch.”

Details of the new book can be seen on website: dublinslatinquarter.ie.

Dedication

In every village there is a torch – the schoolmaster – Victor Hugo.

To two stimulating teachers.

Toomevara’s Tom MacDonald, who cultivated the spirit of enquiry.

And Nenagh’s Rodney Bent, who introduced me to English literature and the essayists Hazlitt, Charles Lamb and Oliver Goldsmith, whose footsteps I followed to London and enlightenment.