Mayos in Dublin turn out in force for Ó Maicín book launch

Mayo folk in the capital city came out in large numbers for the Dublin launch of On This Day In Mayo by Máirtín Ó Maicín. Over two hundred people flocked into the Croke Park Hotel in Drumcondra to hear former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, give a four-fold advice concerning the much acclaimed new book from the Balla writer. He advised patrons to lift the book, buy it, talk about it and ensure that it is left in the living room where it can be a continuing source of conversation.

“This is a book for conversation”, he told the Mayo gathering. He went on to say that it also a book for argument and discussion while it would be an ideal book for debate and deliberation in a Book Club. He said it clearly illustrates that the western county has punched well above its weight on the national and international stage. He called on the audience, and all Mayo people, to have pride in their past and that the Mayo of the future will not be the same as the Mayo of the past as it will be a more diverse society.

The Dublin launch was organised in conjunction with Muintir Mhaigh Eo in Dublin and among the members of that organisation who were present were its Chairman, Noel Howley, who addressed the assembly and wished the author the very best with the fine production. Also present from Muintir Mhaigh Eo were Paraic Joyce, Paul Sammin, Jim Murphy, Michael Cannon and Walter Kilcullen. Seamus Caulfield, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at University College Dublin , and his wife Áine, were also present as was the former Garda Commissioner from Eachléim, Noel Conroy. They were joined by such luminaries as the former leader of the Labour Party, Pat Rabbitte, a native of Ballindine, Senator Ronan Mullen, Adrian Langan, Dr Patrick Devine, formerly of Maynooth University; Robert Ryan, grandson of PJ Ruttledge and Willie ‘Four-Goal’ McGee, a moniker bestowed on the Burrishoole native following his exploits in the All-Ireland U-21 Final replay in October 1967.

Concluding his remarks the former Taoiseach told the author that “you have done the county some real service, the country some real service.”

On This Day In Mayo is available in all good bookshops in the county, in Hodges Figgis in Dublin, Liber in Sligo and Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop in Galway. It is also available online at mayobooks.ie.