Ted Greene’s fitting tribute to our ‘greatest Irishman’ TK
WHAT makes any book about a local man who rose to the very top is that word ‘ local’ and Ted Greene has certainly delivered in that department with ‘ TK Whitaker: His Life and Times’ - launched last Thursday at Drogheda Library.
Ted went behind the great man, who built an Ireland that we enjoy to this day.
In 2001, RTE viewers named Ken Whitaker as the greatest Irishman of the 20th century -a truly fitting accolade.
TK was Ireland’s best ever economist and helped shape Ireland at a time when it needed an inspirational leader.
Ted’s book describes the man, his life in Drogheda around William Street and his great affinity with the town that made him.
He was a St Joseph’s CBS man and to this day holds a special place in the history of the school.
Ted spoke to TK’s peers, who remembered an accomplished man, whose father, Edward, was part of the sales staff at Greenmount and Boyne Mills.
There are wonderful anecdotes at every turn of the page, giving a wonderful insight into Ken’s days by the Boyneside.
He even comments on the early romance between Ken and May Clarke. She lived at Loughboy House in Mell where the honey factory is now. He described her as a ‘ Vision Splendid’ and Ted managed to track her down and get the story behind the story. Sadly, May passed away in 1997.
She later married Tom Branigan, but they all remained great friends down the years.
Ted’s book is a masterpiece of information and well worth an investment this Christmas.
Even the late TK would probably say it would be money well spent.....