Former Ballymun journalist to launch new book in Axis

A NEW book by  veteran local journalist Seamus Kelly is being launched at 7pm in Axis Ballymun on Thursday (June 7).

Published by The Manuscript Publisher and available to buy online, It’s Written in Concrete highlights the power of positive versus negative press.

Former Ballymun Garda Chief Superintendent, Karl Heller, will launch the unique book, which also features 40 pages of colourful photos.

Kelly tackled the sensationalised press portrayals of Ballymun during his career and decided to write a more sensitive, positive journalistic style of news reporting, both in his own newspaper, Ballymun Concrete News, as well as national and regional newspapers.

He started Ballymun Concrete News in June of 1998 and the newspaper’s primary objective was to highlight positive stories in Ballymun at a time when the area was often negatively portrayed by the national media.

Drugs, crime, murder – these were the types of stories that were often attributed to the area of Ballymun, as its greasy underbelly often overshadowed what was a really strong and powerful community.

“I had always promised myself that when I got the opportunity I was going to redress the balance of negative news that was coming towards Ballymun,” Kelly told Northside People.

“I could see there was a difference between what the media was reporting and what I was seeing with my own two eyes.

“It was certainly disadvantaged but there was a lot of good people, and they set up groups for children, football clubs, men’s centres, women’s centres, so it proved that they were very proactive people.

“My vision was to give 100 percent coverage to Ballymun, no other area, just Ballymun alone, to try and sell the true picture of what Ballymun was really like.”

The paper started as a single-page newsletter but it gathered support from people in the community and progressively grew into a two, four and eventually eight page monthly tabloid.

Kelly’s positive new stories have been widely published in national and regional newspapers, as well as his own former newspaper.

He now hopes that his book will help to stimulate debate in media circles.

"Positive news, incorporated into everyday news reporting will have a feel-good effect on readers, acting as a force for community regeneration in the long-term by presenting to the world a more powerful, positive news media,” he said.

It’s Written in Concrete is published by The Manuscript Publisher and available to buy online. The book is also on sale in Easons at Omni Park Shopping Centre in Santry.

The launch event at Axis starts at 7pm and music will be provided by local rock band, Dextra.

Admission is free but those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Axis by calling 01-8832100 or 01-8832120.