Michael Feeney MBE is launching his new book 'Heroic Mayo'
Michael Feeney, MBE, well-known local author, historian and a former Mayo Person of the Year, will be launching his new book, ‘Heroic Mayo’, on Saturday, December 9.
The book launch will take place at 8 p.m. in the Castlebar Tennis Club clubhouse. There is ample car parking available on site.
The special guest of honour for the occasion is the recently retired Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, DSM PhD. He will perform the official launch.
This is a remarkably well-produced and designed book. It features a substantial amount of previously unpublished material sent to him by the families of soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians from all parts of County Mayo. The book is fast moving and also features a lot of more recent historical events and happenings.
He is confident that the book will be well received. However as a limited edition it will be sold on a first come, first served basis, in a series of book launches and book signings around the county.
It will be available at selected and supportive bookshops and outlets in Mayo while stocks last.
Michael started working on the book when the worldwide Covid pandemic struck the country. With everything closed down and nowhere to go, he set about writing the book.
He started by typing out the large box of letters he had received from families at home and abroad. He got so absorbed in the project that he completely forgot about the pandemic and he actually wondered what all the great fuss was about.
Michael was particularly delighted that a number of well-known local and national journalists and historians supported the book in a practical manner by contributing specialist articles on a number of historical events. Those additional articles have added much to the overall book.
He contacted graphic designer Declan Durcan to peruse the completed folder. Declan agreed to do the design work and he done a really superb job in putting the book together, making sure that each page is unique and different and, as they say, the rest is history.
Michael is hoping that enough people will attend the launch and maybe even buy a copy of the book as a Christmas gift or present.
This is a once-off top quality limited edition book, which will be sold on a first come basis and for that reason alone it is likely to become a collector’s item in a short time. It is a book for the ages.
In his own words, Michael decided to publish the book as he felt that he was not getting any younger and he did not want that type of historical material to be lost.
ENDORSEMENTS
"Superbly researched, it is one of the most comprehensive books ever written telling the heroic stories of Mayo men and women who served and died." - Journalist Anthony Hickey, Mayo ME.
"A well written book of interesting articles and stories, which preserve the memory of those who served and died."- Peter Mulvany, Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46).
"This is an amazing book, one that I would recommend to anyone interested in history. The articles and stories are timeless." - Captain Donal Buckley MA (Hist).
"Building on the momentous development of the Mayo Peace Park, Michael has brought the amazing stories of those who served with the Connaught Rangers and other Regiments to a wider audience." -Sergeant PJ Maloney, Chairman of the Connaught Rangers Association.
(If anyone would like to reserve a copy of the book, they can of course contact Michael Feeney via mayomemorialpeacepark@gmail.com, michaelnfeeney@gmail.com or directly via his mobile 087-9348984).