I’m of Kerry, the third publication by Castleisland man Johnnie Roche, was launched recently at the town’s River Island Hotel and the first print run sold out quickly.
It’s a memoir that will stir those who recall the days of fireside entertainment and amateur dramatics at local halls.
Johnnie laughingly recalls one scene of a Church Street, Tops of the Town, in which he played Big Chief Friesian Bull and Tomo Burke, who played Al Capone, asks Big Chief, ‘What’s two plus two?’
Big Chief replies, ‘Four’ and is shot dead. ‘Why did you shoot him boss?’ asks a sidekick, ‘Gino – He knew too much.’
A Mixed Bag in a Book
“The book is a mixed bag, divided into four parts consisting of Kerry jokes as told by a Kerryman, poems and monologues, and two essays, one a general view of life and growing up in the town with a discussion of the stories heard, and the second to ‘women long ago’ whose frugal existence ensured ‘they kept food on the table as first priority,” said Janet Murphy who co-ordinated the publishing of the books.
Johnnie has published two other books: Listowel to the Liffey and Born for Hardship and there’s another in the pipeline.
Copies Available Locally
More copies of I’m of Kerry are now available at local Castleisland outlets and at Jackie Reidy’s Menswear and Newsagents. The book, along with all the Castleisland District Heritage journals, may be purchased also at the CDH office in The Island Centre on Main Street.
The book will also be available soon on Kindle Direct Publishing.
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