Limerick's past has been brought dramatically to life by two local authors with the publication of two books of stories and photographs of their native city.
Denis O'Shaughnessy and Sean Curtain have each established themselves over the years as custodians of Limerick's history.
As opposed to a historical tome, their books are mainly a light-hearted tour, dotted with stories and photogrsaphs of Limerick people and places down the years.
“The voices of real Limerick characters echo throughout my book, I am just the conduit that has given them the platform to tell their stories”, says Denis O'Shaughnessy whose book, "How's Your Father", comprises some 36 stories of his native Limerick and is a fond recall of many of the city’s legendary, eccentric and colourful personalities and institutions, with rugby anecdotes included.
“How’s your Father” is also dotted with some superb photographs of Limerick, most of them previously unpublished, and drawn from the Richard Coughlan collection.
This is Denis's fourth Limerick-themed book. The previous books are out of print with the exception of “A Spot So Fair”, which comprises tories from his native St Mary’s Parish.
Sean Curtin's book, "Limerick - A Stroll Down Memory Lane", is his second book of photographs of old Limerick. The first which was published last year sold out in a matter of weeks and this years volume is no exception. Already demand is high with many people buying the book and sending it abroad to relatives and friends.
It contains some magnificient photographs which will bring back many nostalgic memories to those who remember a Limerick now long gone.
Sean works with the Limerick Leader and therefore has access to many of the papers archiveal material. His love of his native city comes through in his loving choice of images that capture a vision of Limerick that is gone but not forgotten.
Both books can be purchased online here. Or by post here.
