On Tuesday 12th July well known radio and television personality Myles Dungan launched the fourth Tipperary Reads Festival.  A large crowd gathered to listen to Myles speaking about the focus novel of this year’s festival, ‘A Long Long Way’ by Sebastian Barry.  This book tells the story of a young Irishman Willie Dunne, who joins the Royal Dublin Fusiliers to fight for his country in World War 1.

Myles has a huge knowledge of this period and has written several historical books relevant to the theme.  He praised how Sebastian Barry dealt with the subject throughout the novel, together with the use of wonderfully poetic language.  He recommended that anybody who had not already read the novel should do so.  Each branch library in Tipperary Libraries has multiple copies of the novel.  You are invited to drop in and pick up your copy today.

Photographed from left to right: Joe McGrath, North Tipperary County Manager; Myles Dungan; Lorraine Treacy, Librarian, Thurles Library; Cllr John ‘Rocky’ McGrath, Co. Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee Chairman (Photo Credit: George Willoughby). To view more photographs of the event please click on Flickr

Tom Burke from the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association will be delivering a lecture in Thurles Library on the Irish soldiers who fought in the First World War on Saturday 10th September at 3 pm.  It should be very interesting and all are welcome to attend.

Sebastian Barry will be visiting Thurles, Nenagh and Clonmel libraries on 18th/19th November to discuss the book with readers.  To become involved, call into your local library and pick up a copy of ‘A Long Long Way’.