'Put Yer Rosary Beads Away Ma: A Salty Tale of a Young Man's Musical Dreams and Struggles in 1970's Ireland' was written by Cahal Dunne, a native of County Cork, who now calls Pittsburgh home.
Today I am delighted to introduce this wonderful new book to you. A copy of 'Put Your Rosary Beads Away Ma' will be won by one lucky reader. So read on and check out how to enter our giveaway at the end of this post.
Table of Contents
The Book
This fictional tale is loosely based on Dunne's own experiences throughout his distinguished career as a composer, pianist, comedian, story teller, and television personality.
The entertaining exploits of Billy Golden, a young man from Cork City, who struggles to make it big as a musician in 1970's Ireland, are recounted in hilarious fashion.
Billy begins his career as a choir director, and music teacher, progresses to show band musician, Eurovision songwriter, then prominent Celtic rocker, and finally an acclaimed solo performer in the United States.
"The adventures of Billy Golden reflect the era in which I was raised in Ireland. Without a few breaks coming my way over the years, I would most definitely have been a rather unhappy veteran teacher by now. I’m very grateful instead, to have had a lifetime of entertaining, which I still enjoy more than ever to this very day. "
- Cahal Dunne
This book highlights Billy's struggles and successes through heartwarming vignettes. Billy and his bandmates entertain the reader as they deal with the highs and lows of life 'on the road', sometimes with charming innocence.
The trials and tribulations of a career in show business are shared in a vibrant, humorous and touching way. Escapades of young musicians and their girlfriends, love affairs and broken hearts, dealings with a few shady managers and some decent agents, are all recounted as poor Ma is busy at home in Cork, wearing out her rosary beads, praying for young Billy.
Cahal Dunne is a natural story teller, who brings Billy Golden to life as he travels the length and breadth of Ireland in a beat up old van with his band mates.
Praise For 'Put Yer Rosary Beads Away, Ma'
I found this book to be a very entertaining read. My husband also read it, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
"Anybody who ever played in or danced to the beat of an Irish show band has to read this book. Apart from that however, it is a great read in its own right, and should appeal to anyone who likes a story of a young man’s dreams and his struggles to make them come true. A universal tale, beautifully chronicled."
- Sean O Sé, Cork, Ireland
As a writer, who loves to edit and re-edit manuscripts, I did notice a few transitions from past to present tense throughout the text, interrupting the flow of my reading.
I mentioned it to my husband. He never even noticed any tense changes from one chapter to the next. And so, I decided I should switch off my editing eyes when reading anything other than my own manuscripts.
The Author
Cahal Dunne attended University College Cork where he received his Bachelor of Music degree. He is the nephew of the former Prime Minister of Ireland, Jack Lynch.
He is a winner of the Castlebar Song Contest, and represented Ireland in the Yamaha World Song Contest in Tokyo with his own song, "Lover, Not Just a Wife."
His song, "Happy Man", won Ireland's National Song Contest, and he represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel in 1979.
In February 1982 he performed some concerts in Michigan, and the following year he emigrated from Ireland to the United States. He now calls Pittsburgh home.
Cahal Dunne is a composer, talented musician, entertainer extraordinaire, and now an author.
Copies of this book can be ordered directly from the author's website.
The Giveaway
Cahal Dunne has generously provided a copy of 'Put Yer Rosary Beads Away Ma' as a prize for one of Irish American Mom’s readers.
To enter our giveaway just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Saturday, June 14th, 2014 at noon. You can leave any comment you wish. What you write does not affect your chances of winning.
If you need some inspiration, why not tell us if you have ever been to a concert by an Irish musician in America.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published or shared, just used to contact our lucky winner.
The winner will be announced on Saturday June 20th, in a separate blog post. I’ll send the winner an e-mail so that I can mail the book.
Best of luck to all our entrants and a big thank you to Cahal Dunne for sharing his book with Irish American Mom's readers.
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. I do not receive payment for my book reviews. My first responsibility is to my readers and I am committed to honest reviews. All opinions given are my own.
Here are some other posts you might enjoy..
Books
- An Ideal Farm Husband Book Giveaway
- Galway The Graveyard of Hopes and Dreams - Guest Post By Writer Maddison Rhoa
- Hitching For Hope By Ruairí McKiernan
- The Hadley Academy for the Improbably Gifted By Conor Grennan
Symbols of Ireland
- Ireland's Arched Bridges
- Old Irish Boreens
- Celtic Christening Gowns As Family Heirlooms
- What Is A Shillelagh?
Debra
I appreciate your bringing new items from Irishmen/women like this book to our attention. Thanks Mairead!
John Shacklett
I also call Pittsburgh home, but I am sorry to have to admit that I am unfamiliar with Cahal or his work. I look forward to reading his book!
Susan Rasmussen
Would love to read the book!
Catherine Farrell
This sounds like a wonderful read! Looking forward to it!
Colleen Reardon
I have not attended an Irish Concert but would love to!
Joanne Gallivan Passmore
I would love a copy ...
Sinead
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jane George
Looks like a good read, it will get me in the right frame of mind for my August trip to Ireland.
Elaine Cash
"Put Yer Rosary Beads Away" sounds like an amazing book. What a fabulous read it would be. I was a music major for 2 1/2 years - music has always been in my life. As a little girl I fulfilled a dream of my grandfather's, to have someone in the family play piano. I fell in love with playing and music is very close to my heart.
While I have never been to an Irish music concert, I love listening to the reels - the upbeat tempos bring a smile to my face and a skip in my step 🙂
Lorna
I haven't heard of this book before and it sounds intriguing. One I would like to read 🙂
Kim T
This looks like it would be a very enjoyable book to read! While I've never attended an Irish concert , I did have the pleasure of listening to some amazing musicians in the pubs while visiting Ireland. Irish music always brings a smile to my face.
Patricia c
Loved Cahal Dunnes singing when I was young . Would love to read his book as title intrigues me.
Irish American Mom
A big thank you to everyone who commented here and entered this giveaway. A big thank you to Cahal Dunne also, for providing a copy of the book. The winner was picked randomly this evening and I'm delighted to announce our winner is Debra. I hope she will enjoy this book as much as I did.
Marjorie
I'm a Glenshaw, PA resident, who enjoyed a very electrifying performance by this gentleman in Florida at Sun-n-Fun, thru an unexpected invitaion to the show I had heard his name mentioned many times over the years,as an Irish performer and (went in one ear and out the other). I had no conception of the talent he exudes. I have been the best advertising agent for him. I hope all my Pittsburgh friends get to enjoy a performance by him. MMG
Irish American Mom
Hi Marjorie - Cahal Dunne truly is a talented performer. I remember seeing him on television when I lived in Ireland. So glad you were able to enjoy a live performance.
All the best, and thanks for stopping by.
Mairéad