Limerick author celebrates book launch in Paris

AN ABBEYFEALE author celebrated James Joyce’s birthday by launching his new book in Paris.

Brendan Lynch launched his new work, Dublin’s Graftonia literary history at 12 Rue de l’Odeon in Paris - where Joyce’s Ulysses was once upon a time first published.

The Limerick native was invited to celebrate the famous author’s birthday where his most prominent work was first published in February 1922.

Jean Helfer who owns the Moicani Boutique which has replaced the famous Shakespeare & Company bookshop said: “It is very appropriate that an Irish author whose new book ends with James Joyce sailing into exile in 1909 should launch his new book here.”

The gathering included fellow-Irish author Isadore Ryan and Michael Tierney, deputy head of mission at the Irish Embassy.

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Speaking at the event, Michael said: “Irish literature owes a lot to Paris, which welcomed writers over the years from poet

Thomas Moore and novelist Hannah Lynch to John Millington Synge, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Brendan Behan and John McGahern.”

Brendan Lynch is a former motor racing journalist and a contemporary author. Over his journalistic career, Brendan wrote features for The Irish Times, Sunday Tribute, The Times as well as the Daily Mail and The Observer.

Dublin’s Graftonia literary history is his eighth book.