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 Sharing memories - Michael Byrne and Mícheál O’Muircheartaigh. Photo: J. O'Loughlin. The ballroom of the Anner Hotel here in Thurles was bursting at the seams last night, as local friends, old comrades and sporting admirers gathered, to celebrate with Michael “Rattler ” Byrne, the launch of the book, not surprisingly entitled, ‘Rattler.’
Local social and community organiser, poet and historian Tom Noone was on hand, and as usual, very capably undertook the role of ‘Master of Ceremonies.’
Amongst the speakers were; GAA patron His Grace Archbishop Dr. Dermot Clifford, Michael Dundon, co-author of ‘Rattler,’ former Tipp hurling great Jimmy Doyle, Chairman of Tipp County Board Barry O’Brien, Chairman of Thurles Sarsfields Michael Maher, Cristy Ring Jnr and Paul Byrnes, latter, who spoke on behalf of the Byrnes family.
Also present were; Mayor of North Tipperary John Kennedy, latter fresh from his Obama encounter and plenty of hurling friends from all over the country including Tony Reddin, Paddy Buggy, Eddie Keher, just to mention a few. Former GAA President Sean Kelly MEP and Deputy Noel Coonan TD, were also in attendance.
Mícheál O’ Muircheartaigh launched the book in his own inimitable style, but not before having first interviewed the “Rattler.” on stage much to the amusement of all in attendance. Rattler Byrne sang the song, ‘By the bright silvery light of the moon,’ and also demonstrated his prowess as a very fine mouth organ player.
Other musical entertainment for the evening was provided by the Thurles Gospel Singers, and a very fine Trad group of musicians made up of family members and friends.
All in all, surely a night to remember and a book now launched, which makes for essential reading.
 "The Rattler," Book is available from bookstores A new book celebrating the life story of former Tipperary hurling legend, Mickey ‘The Rattler ‘ Byrne, will be launched here in Thurles tonight.
Mickey Byrne won five All Ireland Senior Hurling Medals, seven National League Medals and a record 14 Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship medals with Thurles Sarsfields.
Pic. shows: B/R – L-R:- L. Carroll, S. Cantwell, D. Kinane, P. Stakelum.
F/R – L-R:- S. Quinlan, M. ‘Rattler ‘ Byrne, P. Lyons.
Mickey Byrne was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, in 1923 and was educated locally, attending Thurles CBS where his hurling skills were first developed.
Mickey first tasted success as a hurler when he won a Dean Ryan Cup medal, in 1939. Later, his hurling skill, his wit and athletic achievements would elevate him to be one of the great legendary figures of the world of Gaeldom.
The book entitled “The Rattler,” which has been penned by retired Tipperary Star former editor Mr Michael Dundon, will be launched by former RTE games commentator and Co Kerry native Mícheál O’ Muircheartaigh.
The launch takes places in the Anner Hotel, Thurles tonight at 8pm, at which ‘The Rattler ‘ will be present as guest of honour.
 Lucinda's List, by Thurles author Olive Collins Writer and Artist Eileen Keane will launch Olive Collins’ debut book “Lucinda’s List,” on Saturday May 14th 2011 at 7.00 pm. The launch will take place in the function room at Hickeys licenced premises, here in Cathedral St, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase on the night and all are welcome to join Book Republic and Olive to celebrate this launch.
The Book’s Characters
What began as a harmless game for Lucinda Tidy ended with unexpected consequences, testing loyalties of a friendship she took for granted. Lucinda can be generous and thoughtful yet equally corrupt. Her peculiar habit of keeping lists is a source of amusement to her friends, but the origins of her habit are deeper than routine. Behind her almost perfect facade lurks a story she has tried to deny.
Alice hasn’t a practical bone in her body. She loves life and never tires of experimenting with fashion or adventures with her current young toy-boy, dubbed ‘The Sickly Prince,’ because of his exotic beauty. Now that Fiona has finally relinquished all hope of resurrecting her marriage, she focuses on attempting to update her father’s ancient pub, which he has been slow to alter, while also attempting to recapture lost years.
Rose is the sensible one of the group. Unlike her friends, she offers practical advice rather then their preferred drama. Despite her mother’s sudden interest in Rose’s man-less and child-less state, Rose is content with her independence yet she finds something alluring beneath the academic surface of her best male friend.
Together their lives entwine, through a humorous and moving maze of friendship and loss.
“Lucinda’s List ” is a cracking good read, and an ideal companion, dare I say pleasant distraction, for those of you planning a few hours, like poet Thomas Gray, ‘Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife,‘ this Summer.
The Author
Olive Collins was born and raised in Thurles, Co Tipperary where her father was a serving member of An Garda Síochána for almost thirty years. Olive was educated at the Presentation Convent, Thurles and St Joseph’s College in Borrisoleigh, in Co Tipperary. Members of her family were writers and poets, namely Sr Mary Xaverius O’ Donoghue who penned many books. Olive joined the Clane Writers Group, where she got tremendous support and her short stories have been aired on radio. “Lucinda’s List” is her debut novel. She now resides in Naas, Co Kildare.
To Purchase the Book
“Lucinda’s List,” is available to buy from the 14th of May 2011, on the Book Republic website. It will be in paperback format and priced at €12.99.
 Original Sins A new and exciting publication entitled ‘Original Sins,’ an anthology of short stories by some 22 Irish authors, has just hit our book shelves. This anthology, which includes contributions from Tipperary author’s, Majella O’Gorman,(Thurles), Stella Lannigan, (Gortnahoe), Mary Healy, (Freshford), Maura Barrett, (Killenaule), Martha Woodcock, (Cuffesgrange) and Jane de Montmorency, latter a relative of US President Barak Obama, was recently launched, to high acclaim, in St.Kierans College, Kilkenny.
The writers who feature in this anthology are dreamers who turned their dreams into reality.
Kahlil Gibran writes of the tragedy of leaving a page empty: “Pure was I created and pure will I remain forever…And the sheet of snow white paper did remain pure and chaste forever – pure and chaste – and empty.”
The dream of writing is often so precious, so dearly held, that it is avoided out a fear of failure. All writers fail. No writer avoids disillusion. But after the essential period of consternation, sometimes despair, the piece pearls and the truth of it begins to shine, through the various drafts. The initial inspiration is what fires us all to put pen to paper. The perspiration required to finish a piece is what causes a lot of the initial willing to abandon the dream. A lived dream is a muddied thing, it is tired old and dirty by times, but in becoming more familiar to us, it allows us to know ourselves all the better and to have the easier breathing of one who has attempted, rather than one who has not tried.
Joint editors Suzanne Power and John MacKenna work with the contributors to ‘Original Sins,’ at NUI Kilkenny Campus.
“We have worked with them for four years now and the individuals featured in this collection have stayed the course literally since the very beginning. Our job is to persuade them of what is already in themselves, to foster it to the point where they no longer need convincing and to leave them alone with their empty pages and time. The writers featured here have learned this and are comfortable with the knowledge. They have a full awareness that pages, when a writer is living their dream, fill with word plays known only to them and stories only they can tell.” state Suzanne and John. ”
This well written gem is a must for the ‘bedside locker.’ It will allow each relaxed reader to digest one short story from one author each night, with it’s written content guaranteed to remain the subject of thought, in that time between lights out and dreams beginning.
 World Book Day 2011 This Saturday, March 5th, as part of Ireland’s World Book Day celebrations, Bookworm, Liberty Square, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, the leading local book retail store, are having a “Story Telling Morning” from 11.00 am sharp to 2.00 pm.
So why not bring along the kids to have their faces painted and get their imaginations working overtime, while you, the parents can enjoy a delicious coffee and some other delicious baked treats.
Remember the words of journalist Edward P. Morgan:-
“A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining, where a man’s mind can get both provocation and privacy.”
A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you, yet continues to remain a friend, so don’t forget to bring your World Book Day vouchers with you.
Bookworm will be looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
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