Westport native publishes first novel

WESTPORT native Frank M. Flanagan has published his first work of fiction.

Set in the 1950s/'60s, this beautiful novel, Here and Now, takes you back to childhood and friendship, and the complications they can bring.

As Mayo readers, we're all familiar with Westport and you'll see the streetscapes of the town in this book from the beginning as firm friends Sheamy and Francie mull over the dreaded return to school.

And then there's Henry, who's very much on the peripheries. Neither friend nor foe.

A story of growing up in a small town in Ireland, this beautifully crafted book is also a story of contending friendships and conflicting loyalties. It is a story of inconvenient friendships, unexpected consequences and, ultimately, of the choices we make.

Young Francie Gallagher has been enjoying a rather conventional growing up. When his friendships become complicated he makes a discovery which will have consequences right into his adult life.

Swearing an oath, he finds himself a participant without power in a plan, caught in a tangle of his own making, with no way out.

Frank M. Flanagan was born in Westport in 1946 on James' Street.

He later lived on Peter Street where his maternal grandfather, John Gibbons, and later his uncle, John Joe Gibbons, had a carpentry/joinery workshop and an undertaker business. His father's family owned a drapery business at the top of Bridge Street in the building now occupied by O'Reilly Turpin.

He attended the CBS in Westport and later St. Patrick's Training College in Drumcondra.

Living in Limerick since 1977 following a stint in Ballina Vocational School (1971-74) and as principal of St. Dympna's Special School (1974-77) in Ballina, he was senior lecturer in education at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick until retiring in 2010.

Here and Now is his first long fiction work and you can pick up a copy at McLoughlin's, Westport, Castle Bookshop, Castlebar, Tertulia Books, Westport, Books at One in Louisburgh, and Liber Bookshop, Sligo. It is also available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats.