Humour and nostalgia in Colourful Characters of the Older Ireland

HUMOUR and nostalgia are to the forefront in a new book published by author Tom Neary.

Colourful Characters of the Older Ireland, he says, aims to provide some light reading for relaxing moments.

The book is a collection of short stories relating to rural Irish heritage, to agricultural and social activities of olden times, when Ireland had a wonderful array of colourful characters, resourceful, witty and also odd in ways.

While the book is mainly fictional, it also contains some non-fictional chapters of interest such as the Wild Atlantic Way, religious topics such as the pilgrim faith of Knock - Cnoc Mhuire, Sunday Mass as it was in the past, Bonfire Night, heralding the feast of St. John the Baptist, patron of Knock Church and Parish, the Parish Mission, the Rosary, Confession and other religious practices such as the Stations in people’s houses.

Tom's book fits easily into a number of categories such as Irish heritage, fiction/general, light reading, short stories. It's 218 pages and the cover is very impressive – a lovely thatched cottage and a big open fireplace, with a turf fire and some kitchen cooking utensils.

Mayo people may like a read of it, so it is available in Eason, Castlebar and Ballina, the Castle Bookshop in Castlebar, McLoughlin’s Bookshop in Westport, in Silverbridge Shopping Centre and Smyth’s Bookshop, Claremorris, and also in Knock Shrine Bookshop.

It is available online from Amazon, e-Bay, Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, and others. Type in the title of the book or the author’s name in the 'search' bar to find it. It is also available as an e-book online from Amazon-Kindle, Apple, Kobo and more.

Tom Neary has many years experience as a writer of historical, religious and social material, in books, magazines and newspapers, including a best seller, in its seventh reprinting to date. He has also compiled and edited publications for decades.

He writes in an easy journalistic style with a nice turn of phrase.