LAUNCH OF NEW BOOK ABOUT PORTLAOISE
HOME. JOHN DUNNE’S NEW BOOK ABOUT PORTLAOISE
Tuesday, April 19th promises to be a significant date in the cultural history of Portlaoise. On that night in Dunamaise Theatre, HOME, the eagerly-awaited new book by Portlaoise writer and historian, John Dunne, will be launched by poet Pat Boran. HOME is a new collection of short stories mostly set in the town, and articles on various aspects of the town’s past. Combining the emotional truth of fiction and the documented truth of history, the book presents a multifaceted view of life, past and present, real and imagined, in John’s native town.
In these days of rampant globalisation, it is worth noting that HOME, a book all about Portlaoise, is designed by a local man, John Dunne Jnr, printed in the town by Martin Connolly’s PRINTcentral and published by the local Purtock Press. HOME will be launched by a Portlaoisel poet, and for sale in shops owned and run by local people. After the launch, it will also be availabe to buy from John’s website.
NEW BOOK ABOUT PORTLAOISE
For more than ten years now, his website, www.portlaoisepictures.com, has brought Portlaoise to the eyes of the world: you only have to read the hundreds of comments on its guestbook to see how much that means to ‘townies’ at home and scattered across the globe. His recent, illustrated talks on the history of music in the town attracted record attendances to the Laois Historical Society lecture series, and he is currently writing a book on the same subject.
The launch of HOME will feature a short reading and presentation of images and music relating to the book. Whether you are ‘one of the old stock’, or a recent arrival wishing to learn about the heritage of your adopted home, all are welcome to what will be a great celebration of Portlaoise and its people; a night that you might like to underline in your diary: Launch of HOME. Dunamaise Theatre, 7pm Tuesday, April 19th.