Local Raheny author publishes his memoirs

Local author Patrick J. Power talks to Northside People about his self-published collection of memoirs ‘Light Reading for Short Journeys.’

1. What is this book about?

Light Reading for Short Journeys is a collection of short memoirs and articles that were all published in various magazines and newspapers, over a lifetime of writing. I have set out to create a picture of life as it was at the time; from growing up in a small Roscommon village, surviving the trials and tribulations of a Sligo boarding school, and coming to Dublin in the 1950s, where I worked, studied in Trinity and found love. Some pieces are serious, others are humorous, many are nostalgic.

2. What are your favourite stories and why?

Memories of the Shannon is close to my heart. As my father was a garda sergeant, we were constantly on the move. I was born in Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon. By the time I was seven we had lived in four Roscommon villages. Tarmonbarry was the last, and if I have any childhood roots at all, they are there.

I’m also fond of My Digs Odyssey. Having endured a harsh boarding school regime for 5 years, the freedom of living in digs in Dublin was a tremendous relief. In nine years, I lived at eight different addresses, moving from place to place with all my possessions crammed into a bulging suitcase on the handle bars of my bike. The odyssey ended when I met my wife – a tall brunette who lived across the road from my humble bedsit.

The cover of Patrick’s book, ‘Light reading for short journeys’

Going To The Pictures is popular with readers. When I came to Dublin in the 1950s, long queues would form outside the cinemas, an usher patrolling to ensure that the queues were two abreast and didn’t block the footpath. In those days, they had intervals during the film, which was a chance to hear the organ playing of Tommy Dando in the Savoy or Norman Metcalfe in the Theatre Royal. Dublin was simply a cinemagoers paradise, and a place where many romances began.

3. Have you written any other books?

I published a book of short stories called The End of the Honeyflow & Other Stories in 1994. More recently, I published my autobiography Turn Up the Light on Amazon. I have also written radio plays which have all been broadcast on RTE Radio and BBC Radio 4, between 1984 and 1999. A volume of these scripts will be available later this year, entitled Five Radio Plays. My daughter adapted and directed one of them Under the Plum Tree with the Dublin Shakespeare Society in 2005.

4. How long have you been writing?

I have been writing my whole life. When I was working, I used to write in the evening. The day job was necessary to provide for my family, and for some years I was chairman of an EU committee on port planning, which involved constant travel to meetings throughout the EU. In those years my writing was spasmodic. After I retired, I was able to dedicate myself to writing every day.

5. Have you any advice for aspiring writers?

The middle section of Light Reading for Short Journeys has articles about writing. Here I share my own experience on writing and plotting short stories and radio plays, the importance of place, and how to go about self-publishing a book. In Writer’s Block, I put forward reasons as to why this happens. The main thing is to write consistently, trust the imagination and let the words flow.

6. How can I buy the book?

You can purchase all my books on my website www.patrickjpower.com.
Or you can send an email to patrickpower9@gmail.com. Light Reading is also available in selected stores in the area; Mace, Brew Barberista and Adam’s Chemist in Raheny, Centra in Greendale, Verbena in Bayside, Book Haven, Sutton.

This interview was recorded in February 2021 in Patrick’s home in Raheny.

Sadly Patrick passed away in March, during a short stay in hospital.

His family are dedicated to the publicising of their fathers’ books and hope that many readers will enjoy the stories that he left behind.