Two Offaly personalities featured in new book

A new book with an impressive 89 contributors, edited by actor Cillian Murphy, features two well known Offaly personalities.

Tullamore singer Tolü Makay and Geashill native Very Rev Lynda Peilow, Rector of St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Galway, a Church of Ireland Rector since 1997, have both written pieces for Ionbhá, which is a collection of personal reflections, memoir, poems and essays.

They join fellow Midlanders RTÉ Radio 1 presenter Cathal Murray from Athlone and CEO of Foróige and member of the National Children and Young People’s Advisory Council Seán Campbell, who are also featured in the new publication.

The book includes contributions from Michael D. Higgins, The Edge, Hozier, Blindboy Boatclub, Tolü Makay, Rachael Blackmore, Mary Coughlan, Imelda May, Brendan O’Connor and Louise O’Neill, who outline their thoughts on the things that really matter in life.

This book aims to show that no matter how big or small, empathetic actions have a massive impact. Although we rarely appreciate how these actions affect people and their communities, they often reverberate long after we act.

The proceeds from the book will go directly to delivering the Activating Social Empathy education programme in Irish schools and youth work organisations.