'59 to be launched by local author Brian Kelly this week
Brian Kelly will launch his new book "'59" at a special event at the Tower Hotel on this Thursday.
This week will see the launch of Brian Kelly’s book, “‘59”, published by Hero Books, which takes an in depth look at the Waterford All Ireland winning team and times of that year.
Brian, who recently published the history of Erins Own GAA Club, has pursued this project as a labour of love for the past number of years. As a collector of GAA memorabilia of that period, Brian had amassed a wealth of information and a unique understanding of the period, 1957 to 1963 in hurling terms.
Covid presented Brian with the opportunity to interview those players from the time who were still with us. He also interviewed contemporaries from other counties such as Tony Wall, Eddie Keher, Donie Nealon and Jimmy Brohan amongst others and he spoke with some of the family members of players and coaches from the period who have left us.
Combining all of these interviews and painstaking research of newspapers and magazines and other primary sources, Brian has managed to examine this golden period in great detail.
While the book’s focus is the county’s last senior hurling All Ireland victory in 1959, the book will also look at the years in the build up to that victory, the post-match celebrations and the aftermath of that glorious time. The book will also provide a unique insight into the team’s trips to Wembley and New York as All Ireland Champions.
The book is one that many would suggest is long overdue in terms of honouring and remembering a group who thrilled a people and who carried and continue to carry the heavy mantle of All Ireland Champions to this day.
We look forward to reading it. The book is being launched on Thursday, 5th September, at 7.30pm in the Tower Hotel and is open to GAA enthusiasts who might like to attend.
