Laois woman's proof that dreams survive even hardest of times in her latest book
Patricia's friend Amy O'Brien, author Patricia Dempsey holding a photo of her parents to whom she dedicated the book to and David Delaney who launched the memoir in Portlaoise Library
THERE was applause, laughter and more than a little emotion in Portlaoise library when Patricia Dempsey held up the proof that a dream can survive even the hardest years when she launched her book of memoirs.
While surrounded by 25 relatives, friends and supporters on Thursday 22 October in Portlaoise library, she launched Patricia: This Is My Story, a deeply personal memoir shaped by courage, honesty and an extraordinary determination to be heard.
The date is special for the author, as exactly five years earlier, Patricia launched the first version of her story in Portlaoise Parish Centre. What began as chapters printed on pamphlet sheets has now become a finished book and the 95 copies printed by Machua Printers have begun to reach the hands of readers.
David Delaney, a founding member of the ARC Project in Portlaoise, helped Patricia structure and shape the memoir. While launching the book, David told the gathering that writing any book is an accomplishment, but writing your own life demands something more. He said: “It takes courage to look back on our experiences, to put them into words and to allow other people to read them. We don’t see every challenge, every setback or every moment when someone has had to find the strength to keep going and this gives Patricia’s story its power.
“When someone has the courage to share their experiences honestly, it can help other people feel less alone, challenge assumptions, create understanding and open up conversations that might otherwise never happen. Personal stories do not erase pain but can carry hope. Sometimes hope is simply the willingness to keep going.” Patricia’s memoir traces decades of mental health challenges, hospitalisation and uncertainty, but it also makes room for family, friendship, music and what she calls “the jolly parts.” She first imagined becoming an author at 18 while in England. Years later, writing at her Stradbrook apartment on the Stradbally Road, the words came to her with startling speed. Patricia wrote the first account in three mornings on her balcony and her new memoir in three evenings in the same place.
Patricia thanked the people who had stood beside her “through the good times and the bad and all the in-betweens.” She began with her parents Marie and Michael, to whom the book is dedicated. She remembered friends lost to suicide, her late neighbour Niall Walsh and she extended thanks to David Delaney for his patience and guidance throughout the project.
She also thanked David Broderick from the Arts Council, her friend Amy, who was present, her family and cousins the Browns, everyone who stocked and sold her books, the nurses, staff and people she met through Beech Haven. Patricia’s gratitude extended to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Triogue Centre on Bridge Street, who, she said, helped keep her well over the past decade.
The acknowledgements were not a formality, rather they mapped the network of care behind the proud woman who stood before the room.
David emphasised that the achievement belonged to Patricia. He said: “It is your story, your voice and your people. I hope you feel proud of what you’ve accomplished because reaching this point is certainly something worth celebrating.” He hoped readers might find comfort, understanding or encouragement within the pages or be reminded to listen without judgement.
As copies were signed by the author, tea, coffee and biscuits were enjoyed as people chatted. The launch was the fruition of a dream Patricia had carried since she was a teenager and a victory over every moment that might have silenced her along her journey. Patricia: This Is My Story does not pretend that life’s difficult chapters never happened but shows they need not write the ending.
For Patricia, the day was bright, warm and deservedly happy. For readers the book offers something lasting, the invitation to look beyond the surface, to recognise unseen battles people carry and to believe in what can happen when one person finds the courage to speak.
Patricia Dempsey dreamed of writing a book and with her own voice ringing from every page, she has done it. Copies are available to borrow from the county’s libraries and this memoir is well worth reading.
