New book by Martin Quinn titled 'Tipperary Talks' to be launched by Professor Rónán Collins

I am delighted to announce that I have just published my second book. You could say that it is a follow on to a book that I published in 2020 titled 'Tipperary People of Great Note'.

This second book which is titled 'Tipperary Talks', has a wide range of stories capturing aspects of the lives of people from Tipperary and also what Tipperary means to people either as natives or as visitors to the county. The book is also interspersed with some of my poetry. 

The foreword to the book is provided by Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of the activist Malala Yousafzai. It was wonderful to have Ziauddin involved in the book as Malala was of course a recipient of the Tipperary International Peace Award.

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Their visit to Tipperary had a profound impact on them, as it had also on those of us who were involved. I write in the book how Malala inspired me to regain my speech following a stroke, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to address this in my book, particularly for fellow stroke survivors.

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Thanks to my recently departed great friend, Mary Swords, the book captures the lives of some great Tipperary men like Paddy Clancy of the Clancy Brothers; hurler Liam Devaney, farmers leader and former MEP, TJ Maher and long time Tipperary GAA Secretary, Tommy Barrett.

Mary recorded interviews with these great people in the 1990's as part of her 'Life and Times' series when she was a presenter on local radio, and she gave me access to the tapes. I was honoured to have access to the tapes and to be able to have their stories written down for people to access. 

The Tipperary Connection to Jack Judge, the song and the story is included. Jack wrote the song 'It's a long way to Tipperary' and I was anxious to relay the story of the Judge family and the importance of Tipperary to them.

There are many others in the book with musical connections such as the great Frank Patterson from Clonmel, the wonderful Shane MacGowan and Sinéad O'Connor who played Féile'19 in Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Darby Ryan who composed the poem and song 'The Peeler and the Goat', and the Holy Ghost Priest Fr. Paddy Coughlan, who had a song in the final of the National Song Contest in 1972, and composed 'The Valley of Sweet Aherlow', are also included.

There are many sporting stories in the book such as Ireland's tallest man, Jimmy Cully, who stood 7'2 in his stocking feet. Jimmy won the Irish national heavyweight title.

He boxed professionally, went to America and boxed there, and also took part in wrestling. He returned to Ireland and started Cully's amusements. He died in 1981 aged 60 the same year as my Dad.

There are GAA stories such as Michael Hogan who was killed in Croke Park in 1920 and the Tipperary Priest, Fr. Denis Crotty, who came to his side. The tragic loss of hurler Dillon Quirke is also recounted along with the Foundation set up in his memory.

Also in the book is Fr. Alec Reid, who is well known for his work for peace. What might not be as well known is that he was a hurler of some note and in 1949 represented Tipperary at minor level. Born in Dublin in 1931 he moved to Nenagh when he was aged 6.

There are a couple of stories relating to my own parish of Bansha. There is the visit of Donnacha O'Dúlaing to Bansha in January 1979 for the TV programme Donnacha's Travelling Roadshow, which caused great excitement in the parish.

There are also stories about the bard and poet Darby Ryan, the Founder of Muintir na Tíre, Canon John Hayes, Saint Berrihert's Holy Well and the Bansha Glove Factory or Glen Ara Gloves, where my father was employed throughout the late 50's, 60's and 70's.

Jim O'Connor was the proprietor and they supplied all the leading stores, Switzers' and Clearys' with gloves, and particularly ladies gloves. Jim died suddenly in 1976 and the factory closed shortly afterwards.

The lost child of Philomena Lee, Michael Anthony Hess, born in 1952 at Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea, (died in 1995) is featured in the book along with the final journey of the man wrongly convicted of murder and subsequently hanged, the late Harry Gleeson.

Former US President Ronald Regan and his visit to Ballyporeen is detailed and his son Michael talks about the importance of the family connection to Ballyporeen.

There is also a picture of the Ronald Regan Pub as it is now in the Ronald Regan Presidential Library in Southern California. Thurles native and fashion designer Irene Gilbert is featured as is the story of the Thurles Memorial Garden.

A section in the book titled 'Tipperary Thoughts' has contributions from Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald, Chef Kevin Thornton, former Primate of All-Ireland Lord Robin Eames, Bishop of Mzuzu in Malawi John Alphonsus Ryan, Singer Siobhán Fahey and actor and singer Patrick Bergin.

The launch of the book will take place on Wednesday February 26th at 8:00pm at The Great National Ballykisteen Hotel, Ballykisteen, Tipperary.

The book will be launched by my good friend Professor Rónán Collins. Professor Collins is a Consultant Physician in Geriatric and Stroke Medicine at Tallaght University Hospital and National Clinical Lead for Stroke.

Former Tipperary hurler and footballer Michael "Babs" Keating will attend and will speak about some of the GAA personalities that are featured in the book.

Some music and poetry will be included on the night and the Principal of St. Ailbe's School, Ruaidhri Devitt, will act as Compere for the event. The book will be available to purchase on the night at a cost of €25.