Retired Laois prison officer launches first book of short stories and poetry
Author Mick Morrissey reading an extraction from his book
A BOOK of short stories and poetry by local man Mick Morrissey was launched in Mountmellick Library recently by creative writing tutor Ryan Dunne.
In his debut book, , Mick examines his past by preserving family history through his wonderful stories and poetry along with old photographs, each one telling a thousand words.
Originally from the Glen of Aherlow in the Galtee Mountains of Tipperary, Mick has lived in Laois for 50 years since he joined the prison service. Having retired almost 20 years ago, he discovered a great love of writing and embarked on several creative writing courses.
Having completed the LOETB level 6 creative writing course with tutor Ryan Dunne, he took on a six-week module with well-known author Eileen Casey.
Mountmellick Library manager Amanda Hyland thanked everyone for attending, congratulated Mick and handed the gathering over to creative writing tutor and journalist Ryan Dunne to launch the book.
Addressing those present, Ryan said it was “a great honour” for him to be asked to launch for his former student.
He said: “For a boy who came down from the mountains, Mick has certainly become a learned man of words. I first met Mick three years ago, when I was giving my first writing classes through the LOETB, and the success or otherwise of those classes depended very much on the budding writers who were there. It was a great benefit to have someone of Mick’s calibre sitting in the front row of the class in Mountmellick FETC.
“Even after he got the qualifications, Mick continued to come to the classes. Not because he was looking for any further qualifications but simply because he loved being part of a creative writing group. It was always great to see him there. As I began teaching classes in other places around the county, I could usually rely on Mick to be there. I always had a sigh of relief when I’d see him sauntering through the door with his folder of stories under his arm and his pen at the ready.
“Mick always carried his stories with him and had a clear goal in mind to gather them together and have them printed in a book.” Ryan added that the collection is the result of Mick’s dedication and hard work and congratulated him, saying: “Mick has at least another book in him so there’s a good chance we’ll all be back here again in a year or two.
Standing before the gathering, Mick began by saying that he went onto the MyHeritage website and discovered he had 21,490 distant relatives. He spoke about his writing to date, told some fascinating stories, which captivated the audience, and read from his book. Many questions were asked of the author, but the first was: ‘when is your next book coming out, Mick?’ The author went on to thank a large number of people who supported him along his creative writing road, including local firm Mochua Print for bringing his book to life.
is available from Paddy Dowling’s newsagents at the old Dunnes Stores, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise and All Books, Lyster Square. Copies can also be obtained from the author on Facebook Messenger.
