Sean’s book launch

The Nenagh Bookshop will host the launch of Sean O'Connor's latest book on Friday, November 22, at 7pm. This will be the Kilruane-based award winning writer's sixth book. Its title, By Dogen's Stream; The Zen Poetry of Sean O'Connor refers to Dogen Zenji who is regarded as one of Japan's great poets. The book is a selection of Sean's poetry spanning 25 years and Prof. Thomas Festa of The State University of New York wrote its introductory essay.

Sean lived in Japan for five years and wrote about his experiences there in his second book: Even the Mountains; Five Years in a Japanese Village.

He won the American based Merit Book Award in 2022 for Fragmentation and a year later his title The God of Bones was awarded honourable mentions of both the Merit Book Awards and the Touchstone Distinguished Book Awards. He has twice been awarded Literature Bursaries by The Arts Council of Ireland.

Last year he was again awarded an honourable mention in the Merit Book Awards for his book of poetic meditations by the grave of his father. A Patch of Earth is dedicated to his dad, John (Jack) O'Connor, late of Ormond Court, Nenagh.

Sean's relations are from both the parish of Ballywilliam and the town of Nenagh. He is well-known as a musician and has worked on several film productions including the Oscar nominated An Cailín Ciuin (The Quiet Girl).

All of Sean's books have been published by Alba Publishing in London and its owner Kim Richardson will travel to Nenagh for the launch.

All are welcome to John and Catherine Ryan's, The Nenagh Bookshop, 41 Pearse Street, Nenagh at 7pm this Friday.