Ballymacelligott Post Office will host a book signing session by its own world champion athlete, John Lenihan at 11am on this Thursday, July 2nd.
Fresh from their Griffin’s Newsagents signing in Castleisland on Friday – where book stocks had to be replenished half-way through the two-hour session – John and his biographer, Con Dennehy will attend the Ballymac PO gig on Thursday morning.
An invitation is being issued to anyone in the huge parish who has won an All-Ireland or world championship medal / title in any discipline to join John and Con and host, Brendan on the occasion.
“We have quite a few champions here in Ballymac between Gaelic Football and Handball and these honours are shared by both female and male athletes and we’re hoping to have as many as possible of them here on Thursday morning,” said Brendan Mannix on Monday.
Crowds flocked to JP Griffin & Sons Newsagents and Booksellers on Castleisland’s Latin Quarter on Friday lunchtime. There, the former World Mountain Running champion and Con Dennehy signed copies of ‘Tough as Leather’ for a constant stream of more that 250 book buyers and well-wishers.
“It was an incredible day where the local community came out in force to acknowledge John’s inspirational life both as a sportsman and a modern day gentleman. He chatted and signed books, posed for photographs and enjoyed a memorable occasion thanks to an invitation from Don and his staff at JP Griffin’s.
The atmosphere, the chat, the jokes and the stories were all part of this unique occasion. The community came out and honoured a world champion and the clock stood still,” said Con Dennehy.
Just a week previously more that 600 people attended the launch of the much anticipated book at Gally’s Bar and Restaurant in Tralee where Cork adventurer Clare O’Leary, just back from an adventure in Greenland, launched the book.
It has been a hectic week for both John and Con with slots on RTE Radio One, Radio Kerry and interviews for the national media.
The book is currently on the best sellers list in book stores around Ireland with plans at an advanced stage with Tralee Printing for a second run as demand increases.
“The response has been phenomenal. Apart from the incredible support in Kerry, books stores all over Ireland are stocking the book. John’s story has gripped the nation, something we never expected. The book was initially written to ensure John’s career and his success over three decades was not forgotten. However since then it has taken on a life of its own,” said Con in conclusion.
Book signings are already planned for Dublin, Wicklow, Limerick and Sligo over the coming weeks.
Limited copies of the book are still available locally at: JP Griffin’s; An Riocht Athletic Club and at Garvey’s SuperValu, Castleisland; Ballymacelligott PO; McCarthy’s and O’Sullivan’s in Currow.
For more information on the book just click here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tough-as-Leather/1042419109106221?fref=ts
