North Tipperary Author’s New Book
Toomevara author Brendan Lynch launched his latest book, CITY OF AUTHORS, last week (June 11) as part of Dublin’s James Joyce Bloomsday celebrations.
The launch was performed by Joyce biographer Peter Costello at Dublin’s Alliance Francaise.
Costello said; ‘The difference between this and other literary histories is that Brendan Lynch captures the humanity of the writers. His book is no dry academic study.’
He continued; ‘Brendan has tracked down their homes and haunts, which were many and varied, from grand mansions and stately houses down to cottages and single rooms. In this book he takes the reader on a tour of the city to visit these places and hear of some
Brendan Lynch (right) with biographer Peter Costello, who launched the Tipp man’s new book.
of the adventures, and misadventures of those who, over the centuries, have made Dublin an internationally recognised ‘City of Literature’. It’s an inspirational tour.’
The new book was also praised by award-winning author Colum McCann who insisted; ‘This book is a doorway into the stories of the past, and a key, then, into the future.’
Brendan Lynch said; ‘When I was growing up in Toomevara, my mother told me stories of the great writers like Swift and Sean O’Casey. Local literary man, Bill O’Meara regularly lent us his copy of The Bell magazine, which featured Brendan Behan andStrumpet City author, James Plunkett. Nenagh CBS teachers Rodney Bent and Borrisoleigh’s Bill Small introduced me to further Irish and British authors and though I was interested in sport, I never lost touch with the literary world.
‘This book is my tribute to Dublin’s many writers from Dean Swift, James Clarence Mangan, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde to Liam O’Flaherty, Mary Lavin, Brendan Behan and Elizabeth Bowen, who had associations with north Tipperary.’
