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Edwin McGreal: Our Finest Hour

PANEL DISCUSSION

Saturday, 12 October 2024

6.30pm, Festival Dome at Bridge St

Join Edwin McGreal, author of Our Finest Hour, for a live panel discussion with some legends of the local GAA scene, including Aidan O'Shea. Hosted by Mike Finnerty.

About the book

From All-Ireland senior titles for Crossmolina and Ballina to landmark Junior B crowns for Eastern Gaels and Kilfian, Our Finest Hour is a celebration of all that is great about GAA clubs in Mayo. Written by experienced GAA journalist, Edwin McGreal, this book features glory days from 54 football and hurling clubs throughout the county but is also a tribute to the clubs themselves and what they give to their communities.

Featuring wonderful moments across seven decades – from 1958 to 2023 – it highlights some lesser-known stories and fresh perspectives on some famous days.

Based on first-person testimony from more than 200 men and women involved in these clubs and together with forensic research, it is illustrated by over 200 photographs, many of which have never been published before.

This book focuses not just on the glory days but the context behind them, the journeys that precipitated them, the fun and laughter, the sorrow and sadness, all of which offers a unique insight into each and every corner of the county.

Our Finest Hour is a treasure trove for everyone who loves the GAA, their club and their community.

Featuring: Achill | Aghamore | Ardagh | Ardnaree Sarsfields | Balla | Ballaghaderreen | Ballina Stephenites | Ballina Stephenites Hurling | Ballinrobe | Ballintubber | Ballycastle | Ballycroy | Ballyhaunis | Ballyhaunis Hurling | Beál an Mhuirthead | Bohola Moy Davitts | Bonniconlon | Breaffy | Burrishoole | Carramore | Castlebar Mitchels | Castlebar Mitchels Hurling Charlestown Sarsfields | Cill Chomáin | Clare Island | Claremorris | Crossmolina Deel Rovers | Davitts | Eastern Gaels | Garrymore | Hollymount | Inishturk | Islandeady | Kilfian | Killala | Kilmaine | Kilmeena | Kilmovee Shamrocks | Kiltane Kiltimagh | Knockmore | Lacken Sarsfields | Lahardane MacHales | Louisburgh | Mayo Gaels | Moygownagh Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin | Shrule/Glencorrib | Swinford | The Neale | Tooreen | Tuar Mhic Éadaigh | Westport St Patrick’s | Westport Hurling

About the author

Edwin McGreal is managing editor of Mayo Books Press in Castlebar. Previously he was a news and sports reporter with The Mayo News for 22 years.

He currently is a contributor to the Western People and The Mayo News and has also worked for national newspapers, RTÉ radio and TV, Newstalk and Midwest Radio in a freelance capacity. He is a regular contributor to The Mayo Football Podcast.

A native of Breaffy, Castlebar, he was involved with his home club as a player, coach and officer and is now involved with Achill LGFA. He lives in Dooega on Achill Island with his wife Aisling and their three children – Frankie, Éamon and Séimí.

This is his first book.

Earlier Event: 11 October
Brigid O'Hora: The Home Sommelier
Later Event: 12 October
George Hamilton: The Hamilton Notes