The top 10 Mayo books for Christmas 2023
What a year it has been for Mayo book publishing. Here Edwin McGreal picks out the local publications which make ideal stocking fillers
On This Day In Mayo by Máirtín Ó Maicín
Since its release in October, this book has proven extremely popular and it is easy to see why.
There are 366 great Mayo stories – one for every day of the year.
It’s a great concept for a book and it is most skillfully and thoroughly executed by the author, a columnist of long-standing with this newspaper.
Every day is tied to an event or a person from Mayo and there are some cracking stories in there.
There’s the time a Ballina councillor was kidnapped to ensure the election of a rival.
We hear about the murder of Crossmolina man Thady Lavin, who was found to have informed on his secret society brethren.
As befits a football mad county, there is a huge wealth of such stories. We are told about the All-Ireland Mayo lost in the boardroom – if we didn’t have bad luck, we’d have no luck at all!
But it is not just Gaelic football – there are plenty of engaging stories from soccer, hurling, rugby, camogie, basketball and horse racing.
Mayo’s rich ecclesiastical is explored. Did you know Mayo was once a diocese? Famed abbeys including Murrisk, Ballintubber and Burrishoole feature while Knock Shrine is prominent in the pages.
Political and military trials and tribulations feature prominently as does Mayo’s rich cultural and musical heritage. It is hard to do justice to the scope of the book.
There are stories from every corner of the county – from Belmullet to Ballindine and Ballaghaderreen to Ballycroy and everywhere in between.
There are 20 entries as Gaeilge and the timespan of the stories is vast – from the 12th century all the way up to April 2023.
It is a masterly piece of work by Máirtín, who lives in Balla.
The book will enlighten your knowledge of who we are and where we come from in a very entertaining fashion.
It is superbly produced in hardback with a splendid dust jacket. Its cover, conceived by renowned Castlebar-based designer Siobhán Foody, is an alluring one and does justice to the quality of content inside.
It is a timeless collector’s item for anyone from or with a grá for Mayo.
Two Lives by Paul Soye
Paul Soye’s debut work The Boy in the Gap proved very successful a decade ago and the Westport-based author’s writing has went to another level in the intervening period.
Two Lives is an absorbing tale of two main characters, Gavigan and Natasha.
Returning to the home where he was traumatically taken into foster care as a young child, Gavigan is on a journey about his late mother and indeed, about himself.
Natasha, although from a different rung on the social ladder, also had a challenging upbringing in a family comprising a loving, but absent, father and a mother who is emotionally remote.
Set during the period of the Celtic Tiger crash, Two Lives is a story of two people's efforts to overcome adversity. Can they succeed?
What is so readily apparent is Soye’s empathy and humanity in how he develops the characters, understands their challenges in life and conveys this so successfully to the reader.
You find yourself really invested in both Gavigan and Natasha, rooting for them, shaking your head at their errors, wishing you could guide them.
You feel as if you know where they live, the countryside territory that they occupy and you feel as if you are with them on every step of their journeys.
The dialogue is superb as well, writing with aplomb by Soye, who is a playwright as well as an author. Again, it is so vivid that you feel you are right there in the different scenes – in the cottage, in the pub, in Dublin and Galway as Natasha seeks refuge.
The questions that arise in the book can lead to introspection too – how much of who we are is determined by ourselves and how much of it is outside forces.
Do yourself a favour and pick this up. It’s a splendid read.
Between Mee and You by Johnny Mee
Johnny Mee is a Castlebar and Mayo institution and has proven that you are never too old to write a book. His first book has been written at the age of 89 and there has been a great demand for it since its release in October.
There are two reasons for the success of the book. One is the reverence in which Johnny is held in.
He has a 75 year association with The Connaught Telegraph, he was an urban and county councillor for many years and he has been heavily involved in a voluntary capacity with many clubs and organisations over the years, most notably Western Care, of whom he is a founding member; and Castlebar Celtic.
But people will not buy a book for that alone and Johnny’s collection of stories from Castlebar and Mayo are a brilliant social history of the people and places he has observed over his long life.
Johnny worked in The Connaught Telegraph from the age of 14 as a typesetter but often wrote reports from soccer matches and council meetings. When he retired, the newspaper made the wonderful decision to give him a weekly column, called Auld Stock, to get so many of his memories down on paper.
For over 20 years, Johnny’s column has been compulsory reading every Tuesday.
Johnny is a treasure trove of memories of the Castlebar and Mayo of yesteryear. His ability to recall people, places and events right back to his childhood in the 1930s is exceptional.
He has a phenomenal recall and his columns are a marvellous trip to another era, recalling the characters, happenings and day to day life of previous generations.
He is a wonderful storyteller and has done Castlebar and Mayo a great service with this book.
Stay in the Drain by Oliver Kelleher
Anyone who knows the gregarious Leitrim native Oliver Kelleher knew there was always a book in him – it was just a question of him getting around to it!
Even though he is retired from the business he setup in Castlebar, OK Hygiene and Catering Supplies, he is far from taking it easy.
You could find him anywhere in the world and, likewise, you could find him buying or selling shares for companies in the four corners of the globe.
But he disciplined himself this year to sit down and get ‘the book’ done and we should be glad he did.
His story, in of itself, is worthy of a book. But his brilliant wit, observation and turn of phrase make it an rip-roaring read. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and has an infectiously positive attitude to life, despite more than his fair share of setbacks along the way.
From his upbringing on a small farm in Leitrim, his school years and onto Dublin for his first steps into the real world, we’ve a ringside seat for the ups and downs and the fun and laughter. We hear the hilarious story of him drinking the pension of the family’s ‘homeboy’ when he was still in national school – there may be a little twist in that tale.
Stories of his early years in Mayo are simply hilarious. The yarn about the watchtower/lighthouse is as priceless a story as you will get. It is every bit as good as the story that gave the book its title. We won’t divulge the substance of both – that would ruin his telling of them in the book.
A former columnist with this newspaper, Oliver casts his eye over life and society in Ireland too.
His writing style is wonderfully natural and carries you the whole way through. He’s a straight shooter and doesn’t hold back on things that frustrate and annoy him.
He’s also written plenty of poetry over the years and some of those verses adorn the book too.
We’re glad he didn’t stay in the drain!
In All Kinds Of Weather by Henry Wills
Anyone who has seen Henry Wills in action over his decades as a photographer in Mayo knew they were witnessing a master in action.
And so it is easy to see why his recently published book, In All Kinds Of Weather, has proven so popular.
Henry had an uncanny ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and capture it for the readers of the Western People, whom he worked with for almost half a century.
He was there for some huge moments in Mayo history – the Papal visit to Knock in 1979, the building of Knock Airport not long afterwards, the election of Ballina’s Mary Robinson as President of Ireland in 1990 and covering Mayo GAA exploits for decades.
But on the beat week in, week out Henry was able to elevate the most mundane of jobs into timeless photographs. He has an eye for a great photograph and you knew from talking to other photographers how well respected he was in the profession.
Some photos which jump out – a stunning silhouette of a collection of fishermen in the last rays of sunlight at Enniscrone Pier in 2009; a captivating shot of Paddy O’Toole back at work as a national school teacher the Monday after losing his Dáil seat in 1987 and a simply marvellous photograph of a young Willie Joe Padden receiving the Best Athlete Award at the Mercy Convent in Belmullet in 1978.
Truth be told, you could be describing all the gems of photographs in this book across a full newspaper page and still not have enough room.
This book is vital reminder of the importance of regional newspapers – without them, we wouldn’t have been treated to Henry’s brilliance over the years and this magnificent collection of his work.
His own warm and entertaining personality comes across in the book, with some wonderful memories and anecdotes from many of the great photos he snapped.
It is a wonderful record of Mayo life across a half century and will be a collector’s item for many years to come.
Comfort Food by Sarah Butler
If you like to use Christmas as an opportunity to cook something special for family and friends, then let Sarah Butler’s new book help you.
Sarah, from Castlebar, has become hugely successful in recent years with her superb Instagram channel which has daily food tips and lots of recipes and advice. She has built up a following of over 140,000 people on the popular social network and it is easy to see why.
Sarah presents videos in a very engaging yet simple way. Nothing she recommends looks too daunting – even for those of us who tread very carefully around experimenting with our cooking.
Her recipes are simple and easy to follow. You try them out and slowly get more confident yourself, growing your own skills. Sarah believes that everyone has a cook in them and that philosophy underscores much of what she does.
She is also a big proponent of making dishes work for the ingredients you have at hand at home and therefore reducing food waste.
She has transferred her expertise into three books which have flown off the shelves.
Comfort Food is her latest offering, following on from Food for Life and Home Cooking.
There’s the whole range of options in this book with easy to follow instructions – everything from lunches, dinners to desserts and home baking.
We’re looking forward to having a go at the lemon and blueberry buns, the cheesy eggy bread, the butter chicken and, if we feel like indulging, the caramel brownies!
It’s a superbly presented book and can become a key part of your kitchen.
The Lost Christmas Sock by Maria Commins Feerick
It was while sorting through her washing that Mayo author Maria Commins Feerick got the inspiration for this book – and children and parents throughout Mayo and beyond will be grateful she did.
Maria, as anyone can identify with, couldn’t find the second sock in a pair and her creative imagination started conjuring a story about two sock sisters who got separated.
The idea for The Lost Christmas Sock was born.
Ideas are all well and good but they have to be executed and Maria did just that with an excellent debut book.
We’re brought on a magical journey with sock sisters Sadie and Susie.
Their story begins in a busy department store before being bought for a girl called Megan, who plans to wear them on Christmas Day.
However, the socks she wore last Christmas, Robert and Reuben, have other ideas and come up with a plan to thwart the sisters – by separating them and kidnapping Sadie. Can Susie come to the rescue in time for Christmas Day?
With lovely illustrations by Caoimhe Coyle, this is a book which all of the family can enjoy and is a perfect festive treat.
Maria is a well-known general practice nurse based in south Mayo. A native of Murneen, Claremorris, her father is the legendary Mayo journalist and broadcaster Michael Commins.
Herself and her husband Kevin have two sons – Tom and Ollie.
Alex Apple – Lost In The Supermarket by Oonagh Armstrong
Teaching children the importance of good nutrition has never been more important.
Everywhere they go, unhealthy foods are pushed their way – sweets in shops, fast foods and all the candy you could imagine at birthday parties.
As a national school teacher and a nutritional therapist, Oonagh Armstrong could see these issues every day.
She became inspired to start writing because she saw a need for more fictional books to inspire healthy eating in children.
Her first book, Granny Mai Eats The Rainbow was released in 2022 and told the magical story of Charlie’s granny, who was fit and healthy at age 99 because of her diet.
The second book in the Granny Mai series has just been released and continues the theme.
Alex Apple – Lost In The Supermarket, like Granny Mai, is an engaging story and aims to help parents and teachers alike to encourage children to eat healthily and become educated on the importance of good nutrition.
One night in the supermarket, Alex Apple goes missing and so Alex’s friends set off to bring him home safely.
Readers are drawn into a fascinating rescue mission, all the while learning the benefits of different fruits and vegetables.
From Cathal Carrot’s supersonic vision to Barbara Broccoli’s strength, the fruits and vegetables use all their superpowers to save Alex.
There are striking illustrations by the talented Alex McNaughton and it’s a book that will entertain children greatly and also plant seeds of healthy eating habits. What’s not to like about that?
Myths and Meridians by Margaret Fitzgibbon
One of the most alluring children’s books released this year is this debut work by Castlebar author and physiotherapist Margaret Fitzgibbon.
It has been shown to have considerable appeal since its release earlier this month.
It brings readers on an enchanting journey through Irish legends and folklore, all the while guiding you to the secret of the meridians.
Margaret is also a kinesiologist and uses her knowledge about energy and emotions to help people to have more vitality and less discomfort in their lives.
She believes in finding balance in life and seeks to share her insights with parents and children through this book.
Meridians are like invisible pathways that run through your body, helping you stay safe, secure and full of energy.
Throughout this story, you will not only be entertained but also learn simple action steps that will make you feel stronger, calmer, and more connected to the world around you.
It’s an illuminating journey for adults too, enabling them to rediscover many of the Irish myths and legends we encountered in our childhood.
Margaret skillfully uses legends like Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Queen Méabh, Goddess Brigid and Cú Chulainn to bring you to various meridians and affirmations.
There are simply outstanding illustrations by Ruth Evans which really bring the characters and the concepts to life.
The Adventures of Cranuck the Wildebeest by Peter Killeen
Well-known Castlebar broadcaster Peter Killeen always had sympathy for the wildebeest, watching them encounter peril every waking hour in the jungle.
They are not the most pleasant looking of animals either. Peter felt the market for many other wild creatures was cornered so all of this presented him a challenge he wanted to take on – could he make a wildebeest loveable and cuddly?
And he has done just that with Cranuck!
From the get go you are hooked on Cranuck’s journey, willing him on at every stage, wondering is he going to meet his end, could he not make better life decisions.
It’s a superbly written book that both adults and children will enjoy. It’s Peter’s second book, after he brought out Friends of My Youth in 2021 and he has adapted to the very tricky process of writing to a younger audience with ease.
In this brilliant book, Peter tells four stories as Cranuck makes his way through life. You are with him every step (sometimes very wobbly ones) of the way. You will be amazed at his courage and ability to overcome adversity.
Karen O’Brien’s splendid illustrations bring Cranuck to life and this is a book which all the family can enjoy.
All these books are available in all good bookshops in Mayo and can also be bought online from www.mayobooks.ie and shipped anywhere in the world.