Book about life during the pandemic with Tipperary Mid West Radio is launched

A well-known Tipperary woman, author and listener has just published a book detailing her journey through the pandemic lockdowns with Tipp Mid West Radio. Nellie Keane aka 805 who’s a creative writer, says the book is a collection of short stories and poetry about how the radio helped her and listeners to navigate through the uncharted times of 2020-2021. Nellie is referred to as 805 after sending in texts with no name, those digits are the ending of her phone number, so she says 805 is like 007!

Nellie is very well-known in the community as she was former Nurse Nellie Keane of Murgasty, Tipp Town. Nellie has written the book about her journey and says that there is always a person at the end of the phone for a friendly chat or to get information, when you ring the station. She says that the book is pitched around the Breakfast Show and that she listens in each and every morning to presenter Norman Morrissey (a well known singer and musician). The local author recalls hearing of a listener who was housebound, explaining how they had a radio in each room so wherever they went within their home the presenters were reaching out the hand of friendship to them across the airwaves.

As a former nurse, Nellie was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal by President Mary Robinson on the occasion of her visit to Tipperary in November 1993. Mrs. Keane was nominated for her exceptional dedication and pioneering work in the promotion of nursing care at home. On that occasion President Robinson said that a look at Mrs. Keane’s record of service to others indeed makes very impressive reading.

“What strikes me particularly is the commitment she has demonstrated to passing on to others the skills and selflessness that have guided her in her own career. Her role in setting up the Medical Centre and nursing records for the Bosnian refugees at Cherry Orchard Centre in Dublin and her position as secretary of the International Humanitarian Law Dissemination Sub Committee of the Irish Red Cross National Training Committee demonstrate a quality which I think is common to all volunteer carers; that of a feeling of communality with all, regardless of nationality, race, colour or creed. It is in her work with the elderly, however, that Mrs. Keane has particularly distinguished herself. Through her care, and promotion of care, for the elderly in their own homes, Mrs. Keane has, I am quite sure, brightened a great many lives in the Tipperary area” said the then President.

Nellie's late husband, Seán, who passed away in January 2014, was also very involved in community life and particularly with the Tipperary Pitch and Putt and a cup presented in his memory the Seán Keane Memorial Scratch Cup.

The book titled ‘My journey through lockdown with Tipperary Mid West Radio’, is available at the radio station on St Michael Street and is priced at €15. All the proceeds are being donated to the radio station.
Congratulations to Nellie on the book and every success with the sale of same.