Two new publications relating to Tipperary are to be launched next week.

Dr Des Marnane is to launch a brief history of Industrial Development in Tipperary town and District in the 20^th Century. The booklet will be launched in the Excel Centre on Thursday February 27^th at 7.30pm. Dr Marnane says he found many surprising aspects of the history of industrial development in Tipperary town when researching the topic – the booklet is being supported by the Tipperary Revitalisation Task Force. Dr Marnane puts forward the thesis that the town was not rewarded for it’s contribution to the fight for Irish Independence with 60 local people giving their lives to the cause. The proceeds of the book are to be shared between the Tipperary Community Services Centre and St Vincent’s Day Care Centre.

The second book is titled “Tipperary Talks” by Martin Quinn will be launched on Wednesday February 26th at 8pm in the Ballykisteen Hotel and takes a wider look at county Tipperary with stories from many significant figures – some based on recordings made by the late Mary Swords for her “Life and Times” series on Tipp Mid West Radio. The book features a range of stories covering aspects of the lives of people from Tipperary and what the County means to  people be they natives or visitors. Such as Jimmy Cully, founder of Cully’s Amusements,  Michael Hogan killed in Croke Park in 1920, the late Dillon Quirke, Donnacha O’Dulaing’s visit to Bansha in 1979, Jim O’Connor owner of the Bansha Glove factory, Michael Reagan’s memories of his father US President Ronald Reagan’s visit to Ballyporeen in 1984 to mention a few.   Contemporary Contributions from Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald, actor Patrick Bergin and Singer Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama fame are just of flavour of the range of Tipperary connected people included.

The book will be launched by Professor Ronan Collins, a consultant specialising in Geriatric and stroke medicine at Tallaght hospital  with  former Tipperary GAA player and former manager Michael “Babs” Keating  also to speak at the launch with  Ruaidhri Devitt, Principal of St Ailbes to be the Master of Ceremonies for the event.