Joan Geraghty launches second book

Minister of State Dara Calleary travelled from Ballina for the launch.

Joan Geraghty launches second book ‘Fit for Success’


Michael Duffy

THE message from the Mill Times Bar in Westport last Thursday night was loud and clear - getting fit is a key component to success in all aspects of life.
Former Mayo News journalist Joan Geraghty was launching her second book, ‘Fit for Success’ and following on her successful debut, ‘Anyone Can Run’, the Castlebar-born mother of four this time talks to well-known faces from all walks of life who put a lot of their success down to the fact they make a concerted effort to keep themselves in tip-top shape.
Joan, who recently launched her own online fitness magazine, interviews a number of leading businesspeople and entrepreneurs who are dedicated fitness followers, including former GAA President Dr Mick Loftus and Mayo’s most famous grandmother. Catherine Denning-Wiley, both of whom attended the launch last week. Other in attendance were former EU Commissioner, Padraig Flynn, and his wife Dorothy, and current Minister of State Dara Calleary.
Former Mayo News editor, Sean Staunton acted as MC on the night and among those to address the sizeable gathering were new Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Myles Staunton and the aforementioned Ms Denning-Wiley. She said she was honoured to have been asked to contribute to such ‘an incredible book’.
Similar to the author, who first began running in her 40s, Ms Wiley became interested in fitness later in life after she moved to America.
The now 62-year-old grandmother of 10 says she has never looked back and attributes much of her continued success, commitment, confidence and energy to her fitness regime.
Personal fitness trainer and life coach Paul O’Brien also features in the book and performed the official launch.
“I love this book. It is amazing in so many ways. A lot of the people interviewed for this book are self-confessed fitness fanatics. These are people who are all into their 40s and above up to their 80s. They are all successful people and their stories make for absolutely riveting reading. This book is all about role models and everyone in this book is a role model for younger generations to follow.”
Joan said her book was all about the people who are interviewed.  “These people are inspirational. It is their stories that are selling the book.”
Joan also revealed that another Westport author is to soon have a book published by Currach Press, while also revealing that plans were well advanced for her own third book, which will stick with the fitness theme, although Joan went on to say her fourth book was likely to focus on success in business.
‘Fit for Success’, published by Currach Press, is available now in all good bookstores.