Soldier and author Thomas Martin releases his debut novel

AS a member of Ireland’s Defence Forces who has served in the middle east and met with world leaders at Áras An Uachtaráin, Dundalk native Thomas Martin has some exciting stories to tell. However, for his first novel, he has steered away from adventures but instead seeks inspiration in the gentle story of a grandfather recording his memories.

As an avid reader, Thomas began writing ‘ The Life and Times of Mr Joseph Soap’ under a mosquito net while on UN peace keeping duties in the middle east in 2014.

It was his second tour of duty to Lebanon and his room mate had gone home on leave, so Thomas began writing down the ideas which had been simmering in his head for some time.

‘I’ve always been into reading, particularly autobiographies and had the idea for the book for a long time before I started writing it,’ he said.

He wanted his book to give voice to ‘an ordinary everyday person’ with a real story to tell, rather than the kiss and tell celebrities of contemporary society.

‘It’s about a 74-year-old grandfather whose sixth grandchild is born. He knows that due to his advancing years, time will not permit him to a relationship with this child so he decides to write an autobiography to leave for his grandson.’

The book is set in Dublin and tells the story of Joseph Soap - a Senior Old Age Pensioner- as he looks back at a life which was less ordinary than one might expect.

With the support of his wife Siún, Thomas decided to publish the book himself and entered the second draft into the 2016 International Literary Festival. Much to his delight, the book made it through the qualifying round and he made valuable contacts in the world of editing and publishing.

‘Given the theme of the book, I approached Age Action Ireland and they really liked it,’ said Thomas. ‘ They agreed to promote it through their social media accounts and to stock it in their shops around the country and 20% of the proceeds will go towards the organisation.’

While stressing that the book is a work of fiction, Thomas admits that there are parts of his own grandfathers, Danny Hearty and Tommy Martin, in Joseph Soap. ‘ They were great characters so certain mannerisms of theirs appear in the book but I’ve left it open so that people can identify with Joseph as their own grandfather.’

Thomas joined the Defence Forces in 1998 after completing his Leaving Cert at De La Salle College and served with the 27th Battalion in Dundalk and Monaghan. He is now a member of the Military Police, based at Áras an Uachtaráin, and divides his time between Dundalk and Dublin. He is currently working on his next novel

‘ The Life and Times of Mr. Joseph Soap is available on paperback from Roe River Books, Dundalk and from Age Action shops nationwide.

The Kindle edition is available to download at the Kindle Store, via Amazon.com and as an eBook via Apple iBooks.

“I had the idea for the book for a long time before I started writing it”