BEREAVEMENT ADDS POIGNANCY TO BOOK LAUNCH
Bereavement adds poignancy to book launch
BY JOHN McCUSKER
HUNDREDS attended the launch last week of a book charting the exploits of an Omagh soldier during the Second World War.
'A Long Road To Freedom: The Life of Patrick McCrystal', by author Mary McCartan. tells the life story of the WWII veteran who witnessed many of the horrors of battle before ending up in a prisoner of war camp.
The book launch which took place in the Living History Park at the Gortin Glens had added poignancy by the fact that it followed the burial that day of Patrick's daughter. Kate McGeehan. who had fought a seven-and-a-half year battle against cancer.
Kate's sister Geraldine Breslin was among those killed in the Omagh bombing in August 1998. And it was only after her death that Kate and her family discovered that their father had served with distinction during the Second World War.
In 1940, Patrick found him self billeted in Malta where some of the fiercest bombing raids of the war were taking place. After surviving the Siege of Malta he ended up in the frontlines. He was captured by German forces and as a PoW. Patrick helped bury the tens of thousands of German civilians killed in Dresden by Allied attacks. He received many decorations for the part he played in the conflict.
On his return to Omagh after the war, however, Patrick remained silent about his exploits for over half a century before eventually telling his remarkable life time story.
Patrick died earlier this year but not before he returned to Malta to revisit the WWII battle sites.
Guests attending last week's book launch were welcomed by music of the 1930's and 40s provided by Gerarda McCann, Ray Moore and Bob Quick. Ian McConnell. of Period Arms, presented a scene from the trenches of World War II.
The formal proceedings of the night included a welcome introduction by Patrick McCrystal's granddaughter Jonl McGeehan, a talk about the story by local actor Ronnie Moran, a poem 'For Paddy' by Phelm O'Neill, especially written by him for the occasion, a recital by Keiran McMenimen, a word from the author Mary McCartan concluded by a beautiful version of Danny Boy from Catherine McMenimen.
Donal McGurgan, Keiran McMullan. Owen McCrystal and Declan Corry provided the audio and visual displays while Bill McCutcheon and Brendan McGee provided music for the guests.
The Glens Development Group, the Mellon Country Hotel, Farley's Bar, Beragh and Kathleen Bradley assisted with catering arrangements while wine and tea were served by Briege and Elizabeth McGarvey, Ann and Matthew McCartan, Millie and Barry Bradley, Anne McCrystall, Eileen Tandy, Callach Reid and Orla C'ullinan.
Afterwards, Mary McCartan thanked everyone who had supported and helped with the launch of the book.
"The family were very pleased with the event and we are getting overwhelming responses about the book itself." she said.
"Already the reaction to this story has been overwhelming as people express their own family stories about relatives that never returned from war or have been affected by similar life tragedies as described in the book.
"No matter what side of a war claims a precious life there is always a family left behind to grieve. In war all sides suffer and we hope this story brings some comfort and peace.
"I especially wish to thank Paul, Fergal and Brendan McCartan for their support. Alice McCrory our neighbour for the extra milk and Kathleen Curran for the floral displays. We also thank the Royal British Legion for their attendance at the event.
Film director Maurice Linnane and television editor Eugene McCrystal recorded the book launch for a future documentary on the life of Patrick McCrystal.
'A Long Road To Freedom' is available in most local newsagents in Tyrone and major bookshops in Ireland. It is also available online from Authorhouse.co.uk, Amazon.co.uk or Waterstones.com. A Kindle version can also be downloaded online.
BY JOHN McCUSKER
HUNDREDS attended the launch last week of a book charting the exploits of an Omagh soldier during the Second World War.
'A Long Road To Freedom: The Life of Patrick McCrystal', by author Mary McCartan. tells the life story of the WWII veteran who witnessed many of the horrors of battle before ending up in a prisoner of war camp.
The book launch which took place in the Living History Park at the Gortin Glens had added poignancy by the fact that it followed the burial that day of Patrick's daughter. Kate McGeehan. who had fought a seven-and-a-half year battle against cancer.
Kate's sister Geraldine Breslin was among those killed in the Omagh bombing in August 1998. And it was only after her death that Kate and her family discovered that their father had served with distinction during the Second World War.
In 1940, Patrick found him self billeted in Malta where some of the fiercest bombing raids of the war were taking place. After surviving the Siege of Malta he ended up in the frontlines. He was captured by German forces and as a PoW. Patrick helped bury the tens of thousands of German civilians killed in Dresden by Allied attacks. He received many decorations for the part he played in the conflict.
On his return to Omagh after the war, however, Patrick remained silent about his exploits for over half a century before eventually telling his remarkable life time story.
Patrick died earlier this year but not before he returned to Malta to revisit the WWII battle sites.
Guests attending last week's book launch were welcomed by music of the 1930's and 40s provided by Gerarda McCann, Ray Moore and Bob Quick. Ian McConnell. of Period Arms, presented a scene from the trenches of World War II.
The formal proceedings of the night included a welcome introduction by Patrick McCrystal's granddaughter Jonl McGeehan, a talk about the story by local actor Ronnie Moran, a poem 'For Paddy' by Phelm O'Neill, especially written by him for the occasion, a recital by Keiran McMenimen, a word from the author Mary McCartan concluded by a beautiful version of Danny Boy from Catherine McMenimen.
Donal McGurgan, Keiran McMullan. Owen McCrystal and Declan Corry provided the audio and visual displays while Bill McCutcheon and Brendan McGee provided music for the guests.
The Glens Development Group, the Mellon Country Hotel, Farley's Bar, Beragh and Kathleen Bradley assisted with catering arrangements while wine and tea were served by Briege and Elizabeth McGarvey, Ann and Matthew McCartan, Millie and Barry Bradley, Anne McCrystall, Eileen Tandy, Callach Reid and Orla C'ullinan.
Afterwards, Mary McCartan thanked everyone who had supported and helped with the launch of the book.
"The family were very pleased with the event and we are getting overwhelming responses about the book itself." she said.
"Already the reaction to this story has been overwhelming as people express their own family stories about relatives that never returned from war or have been affected by similar life tragedies as described in the book.
"No matter what side of a war claims a precious life there is always a family left behind to grieve. In war all sides suffer and we hope this story brings some comfort and peace.
"I especially wish to thank Paul, Fergal and Brendan McCartan for their support. Alice McCrory our neighbour for the extra milk and Kathleen Curran for the floral displays. We also thank the Royal British Legion for their attendance at the event.
Film director Maurice Linnane and television editor Eugene McCrystal recorded the book launch for a future documentary on the life of Patrick McCrystal.
'A Long Road To Freedom' is available in most local newsagents in Tyrone and major bookshops in Ireland. It is also available online from Authorhouse.co.uk, Amazon.co.uk or Waterstones.com. A Kindle version can also be downloaded online.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/2035
Published Date: 01-Sep-11
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