Gorey launch of ‘The Boy Who Kicked The Nun’

By Dan Walsh at Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey.

Congratulations and celebrations were lively and pleasant in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey, last night for the launch of Mick O’Callaghan’s first book with the magic title The Boy Who Kicked The Nun.

It was a huge occasion with almost 200 people present and the launch consisted of an entertaining occasion with stories, song and music and the author enjoyed himself and was thrilled to see so many of his old friends present and he acknowledged their presence and basked in the celebrity status of book signing and standing in for selfies.

The foreword is by Anne Ireton who points out that Mick manages to outline the development from blackboard and duster to Laptops, from projectors to whiteboards to AI bridging the two eras. “He also shows how teaching has changed and now provides greater facilities for children with autism and children who may have emotional issues,” said Ms. Ireton, who added; “He describes how principals had to organise school extensions and improve facilities in the school.”

John Connor, Chairperson of the Retired Teacher’s Association said the book “is an amazing account of life’s journey for a man who followed his star, embraced life, accepted all its challenges and in the end can look back with a great sense of achievement and a greater sense of fulfilment.

“Mick provides us with a very personal account of his life and experiences. He treats all his subjects with great respect and in doing so we get an invaluable social commentary on life in Ireland and beyond over the last century,” concluded Mr Connor.

There were tributes from Wally O’Neill (publisher), Álanna Hammel (editor), Tim Murphy, Patricia Joyce and good wishes from the large audience. There was a chorus tribute from Holyfort Writers’ Group with Bernie Walsh in the role of conductor and blues and jazz supremo Frank Gallagher entertained on the guitar.

Mick’s greatest supporters, his enthusiastic grandsons, Keelan and Hugh Swinburne assisted with the official launch that drew huge applause from the floor. AnneMarie O’Byrne Hammel acted as master of ceremonies.

Michael ‘Mick’ O’Callaghan was born in Tralee, Co. Kerry, spent his adult working life in counties Wicklow and Wexford and retired from teaching in 2009. He is a member of both Hollyfort and Wordsmiths writers’ groups, has had previous work published, but The Boy Who Kicked The Nun is his first book. Every bookshelf should have a copy!

The Boy Who Kicked The Nun by Mick O’Callaghan, 350 pages, lightly illustrated, edited by Álanna Hammel, published by Red Books.