Important new book launched about Birr man's distinguished career

AN important new book was officially launched in St Brendan's Primary School Birr on Friday evening May 10.
Entitled “John Feehan – An illustrated, reflective Bibliography with excerpts and commentary” the book has been expertly, meticulously edited by Roscrea bibliophile George Cunningham and is a credit to all connected with it.
The book highlights the massive amount of writing which John has done since the 1970s, including several outstanding articles in The Midland Tribune.
It's illustrated with many interesting photographs, showing us various moments in John's long, distinguished career and interspersed with a number of fascinating articles.
There was a big turnout for Friday evening's launch, during which it sometimes felt a little like “This is your life” with MC George Cunningham filling in for the role of Eamonn Andrews.
“John Feehan,” said George, “while following in the footsteps of the giants of Irish environment studies, Robert Lloyd Praeger and Frank Mitchell, has extended research on the landscape to almost unbelievable horizons while never taking his eye off his own back door. In recent times alone he will have published four new books, all of which are detailed between these pages. And all of these books will have been produced in Roscrea by Andrea Patterson and Val Spencer, now operating as Dimma Print Services; a new company continuing the high standards which they set for many years while working for Walsh Printers.”
The MC added that it had been a “privilege to record these literary and countless hours of passionate endeavours. I hope this reflective, unusual bibliography will sit proudly beside the myriads of John's works.”
He also thanked the Midland/Tullamore Tribune for the preview page advertising and explaining the publication and the (difficult) John Feehan Quiz. He congratulated Jimmy Shortt for winning the quiz, for which he received a boxful of books taken from the many thousands of books which George owns.
George also thanked his own wife Carmel, and John's wife Róisín, and their families in Syngefield and Parkmore “for the continued love and forbearance as the pages piled up once again.”
The new book celebrates John's work and commitment over 50 years, commitment to his community, county and country. It focusses as well on his research and involvement in environmental and creation spirituality on an international level.
The book looks at his primary and hands-on research, his teaching and mentoring; “all of these,” continued George, “not just in the academic sense but a reaching-out and with pioneering methods of life-long learning. And nowhere is this more evident than in his partnership and association with Offaly County Council Heritage Office and the spiritual ecological centre at Dalgan Park. We acknowledge their continued encouragement and financial support in helping to bring this volume to the general public at a reasonable price.”
A preface to the book was written by former Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Brian pointed out that the breadth of John's scientific knowledge and his gifts as “a consummate communicator and broadcaster are widely known and greatly admired. What fellow local Offaly people are most proud of, is the use by John of the Slieve Bloom Mountains as a working research laboratory throughout his career. It has enabled his study of the Slieve Blooms in all their many facets to be brought to public attention in ways that are both unique to the Slieve Blooms themselves and of wider scientific application more generally. It is therefore a great honour for me to welcome readers to the enjoyment and educative scholarship that the contents of this book represents of one of Offaly's foremost citizens.”
Heritage Officer Amanda Pedlow told the gathering that Offaly County Council and John have enjoyed a fruitful relationship over the years “and as a result Offaly County Council has published an extensive series of excellent books documenting the county.” She said John's online videos about nature, commenced during Covid, have now amassed 185,000 views.
Fr Seán MacDonagh, author of “Laudato Si': An Irish Response”, told the gathering that John is not just a botanist, geologist, environmentalist, but also a theologian. He recalled being on a trip in China with John in 2012 and John's emotional and sincere responses to the natural world around them.
John's daughter Jane couldn't be present for the book launch because of a security alert in an airport, however her brother Christiaan read out her speech. Jane said the book launch was a very special event which meant a lot to all the family. She spoke of her father's “deep personal commitment to so much of what he does” and called him a Renaissance man. She said there are not too many Renaissance men, and society could do with more of them.
John said he was wary for some time of publishing the Bibliography because it might appear egotistical; “however George finally persuaded me to go ahead with it when he said a teacher should take every opportunity to amplify his voice. I was also aware of the fact that statements of modesty can be overblown.”
He pointed out that life has so many crossroads which can affect us profoundly and thankfully many of his crossroads had led to positive outcomes.
He said he could think of no more appropriate place to launch the book than in St Brendan's Primary School, because of its association with education and because he was a pupil there himself.
Pat Teehan, Chairman of the Board of Management of St Brendan's PS, said he and many others in Birr were very proud when John presented an outstanding nature documentary series on RTE in the 1980s in the company of the illustrious Éamon de Buitléar.
Pat added that one is struck when entering George Cunningham's home by the sheer volume of books everywhere. “It's like entering an Aladdin's Cave.” He recalled being a pupil in Coolderry National School in the 1960s when George was the Principal, during which time the pupils maintained their vegetable patches.
Pat said he has been Chair of the Board of Management for eight years “and I have greatly enjoyed the experience. There's a great sense of positive energy in this school. I want to also acknowledge the excellent work done by the Parents Council here.” Pat said books have never been more important. “Reading is the key to lifelong learning,” he remarked.