AN ELDERLY woman from County Roscommon has released her first book just one day shy of 95.
Irishwoman Brigid Kavanagh, born in 1926, says it was her life's ambition to publish a book-- and she has now accomplished her dream, receiving the first copy of her collection of stores on the day before her 95th birthday.
During lockdown, her family helped gather a whopping 95 short stories and poems she had penned throughout her lifetime.
My 95 year’s young Nana Brigid Kavanagh will be on @RTERadio1 soon to discuss her wonderful book In My Mind’s Eye, Walking Amongst Ghosts. So proud! pic.twitter.com/WlrGyDxwpg
— Patricia Kavanagh (@PishKav) February 16, 2021
In My Mind's Eye: Walking Amongst Ghosts contains dozens of stories reflecting on her experiences in London throughout the chaos of World War II, raising her family upon her return to Ireland, and her own childhood growing up in Roscommon.
500 copies of the book have been published and are available to buy in her local area and through Facebook-- but after a flurry of interest after being featured on RTÉ News, further copies may be needed.
(Image: Facebook)Ms Kavanagh had been published in Irish outlets such as the magazine Ireland's Own, but had always dreamed of publishing a book of her own: according to RTÉ, she had tried to get a book published in the 1980's, but to no avail.
She told the outlet, "After my disappointment in the 80s, I thought I was finished."
"I just can't believe it ... I'm absolutely thrilled."
You can find Brigid Kavanagh's debut book, In My Mind's Eye: Walking Amongst Ghosts and learn more about the author via her Facebook page (here).
See More: Author, Brigid Kavanagh, Roscommon
