Johnnie’s Book in Demand Around the World and Heading for Kindle Inclusion

Author Johnnie Roche pictured with Janet Murphy, manager of the Castleisland District Heritage Project at the Island Centre on Main Street.  ©Photograph: John Reidy

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.

You can contact The Maine Valley Post on… Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.