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Tom Ryan's tales of a newspaper man celebrate a cross section of Irish society. This monumental work encapsulates everything from light-hearted tales from another era against the backdrop of County Tipperary to attitudes to life, living, love and the magic of the Munster Final in Thurles long ago.
Using a combination of numerous tales about interesting people from every walk of life in County Tipperary, every page revitalises scenes from the past, from a goldmining prospector in Alaska to an international designer's achievement in China.
It brings the past to life, featuring a militaria collector, a records enthusiast, an organic farmer, an England-based Thurles Blues musician, amongst many other engaging personalities.
Attention to the ordinary and the extraordinary is brought to you by Tom Ryan who has been writing about County Tipperary life for over 50 years in regional and national publications and other media accompanied by a number of photographs by his daughter Bríd Ryan
In "A message from Misty's Dog Heaven" we discover that there might, indeed, be a heavenly place for our dear departed friends from the animal world.
In "The Lovers of Rathnakray", love finds it difficult to find a way for one crazy mixed-up playwright.
The beautiful tale, "A Christmas Card From New York", reveals how a simple Christmas card changed one man's attitude to life, living and love.
In "Christmas Romances" an old man looks back at Christmas Eve on his cherished loves of a lifetime.
In "The Gambles of Goosegogs O'Hara", Goosegogs and his pal Shifty Condon, get a raging ultimatum from fiery Georgia Mae, latter spouse of the horse racing enthusiast, Goosegogs.
In "Alexander's Dream Girl", a husband longs for a positive outcome to his wife's battle for good health.
In "The Visit", an unusual short story in verse, loneliness and old age is put under the microscope.
This most charming of publications also features numerous tales about interesting people, each from every walk of life in County Tipperary.
They include a Goldmining Prospector in Alaska; an International Sheep Dog Trialist of BBC renown in historic Drom; an International Designer's achievement in China; a World Champion Powerlifter; a man who is at home in Graveyards; a Global Busker and friend of the famous; the late, Jimmy Doyle and John Doyle and hurlers of another era; Liam Sheedy's inspiring words at Colaiste Mhuire Awards Night; the magic of the Munster Final in Thurles long ago and All-Ireland hurling traditions; Postmen; Railwaymen; Newspaper Personalities; Theatre Folk and Show Business people (both amateur and professional); Tales Out of School in Thurles and elsewhere; Tipperary Traditions; Profiles of Interesting Personalities from a Militaria collector to a Records Enthusiast; an Organic Farmer; an England-based Thurles Blues Musician; Messenger Boys; a Fiddler's Retreat in Thurles; Scouts; Publicans; Teachers; Nuns; Ballad Singers; Rugby Personalities; Hockey Players; Athletes; Equestrian Folk; Cricket Enthusiasts; a former Inter Milan Soccer Player; an Inspiring Farmworker and Talented Wife; a Thurles family's Military Tradition; Vintage Vehicle; Poets; Playwrights; Victoria Cross heroes; Carol Singers; reminiscences of Life in London and Dublin in the "Swinging Sixties"; the tragic Kennedy family of the United States and the Thurles Association.
There is a special tribute to eminent Tipperary poet and friend of the author, the late great Dennis O'Driscoll from Thurles.
All these and much more, feature in this wonderful publication by Tom Ryan, who has been writing about County Tipperary life and times for over 50 years in both regional, national and other media publications.
The 560 page publication includes photos by Bríd Ryan and is dedicated to Tom's late wife, Christina (Ina).
