Author Kieran Connolly thanked everybody who had helped him with the book, especially his brother James – who is the chairman of the Ballabuidhe Race Committee – his sister Josephine McSweeney and all of his family.
DUBLIN-BASED Dunmanway native Kieran Connolly this (Saturday) evening launched his latest book, ‘Ballabuidhe 1615-2015 – A Social History,’ to coincide with this holiday weekend’s Ballabuidhe Races.
The launch, organised by Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce, saw a lavish array of refreshments on offer at Atkins’ Hall where Dunmanway Heritage Centre is located, an appropriate venue given that Ballabuidhe spans over 400 years of the town’s history.
Master of ceremonies for the launch was Deirdre Kelly of Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce. The first guest speaker was Dunmanway native, Cllr Joe Carroll, chairman of the West Cork Municipal District of Cork County Council. Special guest was Tipperary-based horse trainer Thomond O’Mara, who grew up in Dunmanway and took his first steps as a jockey at Ballabuidhe before eventually moving on to training. He recalled all the now famous jockeys who rode at Ballabuidhe in their early years.
Author Kieran Connolly thanked everybody who had helped him with the book, especially his brother James – who is the chairman of the Ballabuidhe Race Committee – his sister Josephine McSweeney and all of his family.
- Full report in next week’s ‘Southern Star’ – in the shops on Thursday morning, August 8th.
