Cosy Christmas evening with local legends for launch of Festive Star and Colourful Memories of Waterford
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Seamus Ryan, Cis and Alfie Hale and Mary Frances Ryan, Editor, Waterford News & Star at the Book Centre for the launch of Festive Star and Colourful Memories of Waterford Vol. 2. Photo: Joe Evans
A lovely night was had by all at the launch of the Festive Star 2025 and Colourful Memories of Waterford Vol. 2.
More than sixty people arrived bundled into The Book Centre in warm coats, hats and scarves on Wednesday evening last. They slowly de-layered, found themselves a glass of wine, a mince pie and a good seat. With the Christmas decorations up and so many familiar faces, it felt like a gathering of old friends rather than a formal launch.
As editor of the , Mary Frances Ryan said: “ is like the annual reunion of fantastic Waterford contributors and writers.”
The night began with a Joni Mitchell song from Glenn Murphy. The fact that he did not have his usual backing track did not take away from the magical performance. In fact, it made the song even more special and intimate.
As one colleague of mine said, “It felt like he was really singing to rather than a random crowd.”
Mary Frances Ryan was up next. She thanked everyone for coming, especially given the unusually cold weather. She said: “In this year we have exceptional stories of Waterford, including key milestones. Take your time reading the story of Ballybeg, which celebrates 50 years. It really is a phenomenal story of community endeavour.”
Mayor of Waterford Seamus Ryan then came up to the podium to say a few words. Mayor Ryan is usually a man undaunted by fame or celebrity but it was clear that he was starstruck to be sharing a stage with sporting legend, Alfie Hale.
He told the audience an anecdote about his own goal that he scored in Kilcohan Park. He quickly added, “Don’t worry Alfie, your position was never at risk!”
Before starting his speech, he also gave a nod to the Book Centre.
He said: "This is a special place and I’m sure many of us have wandered in just for a look and come out with an armful of books.”
He congratulated staff photographer Joe Evans on his new book, .
He said, "Joe is a very good friend of mine and deserves recognition for all his hard work."
“People may not always enjoy having their photos taken at the time, but years later these images become treasured links to the past for families and communities.”
These pages are “full of pride of place and they bring real joy to the people each year. This is something I will dip in and out of right over the Christmas period and I’m really looking forward to doing that”.
He ended his speech by saying, “Do pick up a copy on your way out. They make perfect Christmas reading and even better stocking fillers.”
Alfie Hale took to the stage alongside Mary Frances for the main event of the night. Alfie recounted his unbelievable career from football legend to Waterford business mogul.
One of the stories that most surprised me was that Alfie didn’t want to go to England at all. But he put his situation into perspective when he explained that in the 1950s and 1960s, “the unemployment in this country was unbelievable.
Every ferry boat, every way of getting out of the country, young boys took it just to get away, to be able to make a living.”
He said: “When I was asked to go, and I’d be getting the best money in the world to go, I didn’t want it. To put a long story short, my father said to me: ‘Are you crazy?!’.” His father flew for the first time in an airplane to go over with Alfie to make sure he signed with Aston Villa.
Alfie and his lovely wife Ciss started a family and once his children reached school age, he brought them straight back to the Déise.
This story, as well as many more, is featured in his new book ‘True Blue’ (by Dermot Keyes), which is available to buy in The Book Centre.
After a great chat with brilliant questions from some of the contributors, Glenn Murphy returned to the stage for another lovely song.
The night ended with a raffle where three lucky winners went home with copies of the and .
After a last chit chat, catch up and group photo, the launch was over and the words, "I'll see you again this time next year!" could be heard as people braved the cold night outside once more.
