OUR PRIZE BAND
In 1885 it was founded
By their playing you'd be quite astounded
With fife and with drum
Sure, they never look glum
And on New Year's Eve by fans they're surrounded!
REMEMBERING KATE
This is the 50th anniversary of the death of our great literary luminary, Kate O'Brien, of St. John's Parish. The majority of our city inhabitants, and particularly the people from that parish, remain so very proud of her international success. She was hailed as a woman way ahead of her time, and she most certainly was. Travelling to Spain and even residing there, would have been looked upon with a sense of wonder and even surprise at the time she was alive. But, travel she did and more often than not, alone!
SPECIAL EDITION
About fifteen years ago I happened to be atttending an event where I was lucky to spot a first edition of Kate's book entitled 'Without My Cloak' First Edition and published in 1931. In perfect condition without even a single mark, this excellent story is preceded by Sonnet xxxiv by Shakespeare, the first two lines being
'Why didst thou promise such a beautiful day, And make me travel forth without my cloak'. This is the one book of Kate's many publications, that is centered in her native city. Did it cost a bit? Yes, quite a bit, but at this stage, it has definitely gained in notoriety and of course, increased in value! I was dithering a little over a decision to buy or not to buy, so to speak, when a ceratin lady of the Arts much younger than I, remarked, 'you could go a buy some outfit in Todds but that will be eventually cast off'. How right she was. This book stands as a veritable 'monument' to Limerick's greatest writer!
HAUNTING INTRO
This unique edition is graced by a few choice woodcuts by Feda Bone. The introductory scene in deep black is of a man with hand on halter of horse viewing the scene below , a vale. Yes a vale we all have heard of. The opening lines of this literary publication being, 'The light of the October day was dropping from afternoon clarity to softness when Anthony Consisine led his limping horse round the curve of the Gap of Storm and halted there to behold the Vale of Honey.' Are we reading of home country? We sure are and I am not parting with this precious literary treasure any time soon. I think, perhaps it will have to part with me first! (No prizes for guessing where is that famous 'Gap of Storm' or even the Vale of Honey!) Kate has set the scene, the 'lost' man is viewing Limerick town.
