Tommy Tiernan to launch John Tiernan's book of short stories

Athlone native John Tiernan will launch his first book titled 'Tell Tale Townie' in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, on November 19 at 8pm.

'Tell Tale Townie' features 22 short stories which hang delicately between anecdotal nostalgia and brilliantly witty works of fiction.

John is aware that the tales are 'of a different time', however he hopes that they will still serve to conjure up long forgotten memories for locals.

“They were written in a different time – politics was different, schooling methods were different, the things that were accepted were different.

“Many of the stories are humorous – but there are some that are more serious.”

John is a retired public servant, and former Roscommon County Manager. He lives with his wife, Mary, at the Hill of Berries. He has been writing stories for as long as he can remember, noting that maybe politics had cursed him to the predictable structure of report writing.

“Writing for reports and having to get all the language correct, to writing stories is a big leap. Of course prose has no metre, but you have to find the flow of the story and the reader.”

Breaking out of the rhythm of political life meant John had to find a new rhythm, which saw him leaning into the joy of comedy.

“My intention was always to build in an element of humour,” John said. “Like any story teller, I try to tell the stories in a way that's entertaining. Sometimes that can lead you down flights of fancy that can turn out to be humorous.”

Of course humour runs through the veins of the Tiernan family, with John being father to comedian Eleanor Tiernan, and the uncle of comedian and media personality Tommy Tiernan.

“I would never compare myself to Tommy or Eleanor. Writing with humour is a completely different thing to performing stand-up comedy. Writing humour is a lot less challenging,” John said.

Tommy will launch the book in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, with John taking to the stage to read a couple of his charmingly crafted short stories.

When asked whether he thought people in Athlone would be able to see themselves in the stories, John said he certainly hoped so.

“The stories are fictionalised, however, there are nods that local people might recognise.”

He is donating the proceeds of the book to the UNICEF Gaza Children's Fund.

John thanked Marie Cunningham and Stephanie Moran in Temple Printing for their patience, Gearoid O'Brien for his guidance and insights in publishing, Eddie Coyle for his editing, and to his family who have supported him throughout the curation of the book. He extends particular thanks to his sister, Máire, for her guidance.

Many of the stories were first published in the Westmeath Independent under the pen name Foedeen Marwill.

'Tell Tale Townie' will be on sale at the launch, and in various stores across Athlone. The book is priced at €15.