Loughrea Book Launch – Gerald O’Donovan: A Life

Loughrea Book Launch – Gerald O’Donovan: A Life

The launch of the new book Gerald O’Donovan: A Life will take place at Loughrea Library on Friday, 6th June at 7pm. Author John F. Ryan will be in attendance.

‘Gerald O’ Donovan was a strong social activist and was responsible for organising the funding, commissioning and supervising the installation of all of the artworks in Loughrea Cathedral making it one of the finest examples of Celtic Revival art in the country. He was also responsible for acquiring rooms in the Temperance Hall (then a British Army cavalry barracks) which resulted in the acquisition of the building after the British withdrawal.

He was very critical of the church and its involvement in the educational system and made significant progress in organising post primary education classes. He fell foul of the local bishop for his activities and he consequently left Loughrea and the priesthood and pursued a career as a writer.

John F. Ryan’s book is an important record of a man who has been “airbrushed” out of local (and national) history.’

Loughrea Library, Church Street, Loughrea

Posting on their Facebook page about Gerald O’Donovan, LARC Loughrea Arts Recreation & Culture said:

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