Jack pens memoir in his hundredth year
AN ‘invaluable insight into the commercial and social history of Listowel’ is how Jimmy Deenihan has described the memoirs of the great Jack McKenna – being published in his hundredth year by the North Kerry Literary Trust.
Spoilt Rotten: Memoirs of Jack McKenna of Listowel will be launched by Fr Anthony Gaughan in the Seanchaí on Wednesday, September 19, in what’s sure to be a deeply important event for the entire town.
Jack, of McKenna’s Hardware fame, is one of the best known of the town’s business leaders; and a major contributing force within the community. But for him, the Lartigue Monorail revival project might not exist today - as Jack donated both the site of the former Lartigue to the project and €250,000 towards the cost of providing the Lartigue Museum.
“This autobiography is a testament to the contribution that Jack McKenna and his family have made to Listowel and the area over the past hundred years. Its publication is a fitting way to celebrate his unique achievement of reaching his hundredth year in the world,” Trust chairperson Jimmy wrote in the foreword.
The title reflects the relative comfort Jack was born into at a time of grinding poverty for most of the population. From the year he spent in Switzerland to recuperate from pneumonia in childhood to his schooling at Clongowes Wood; his life in the hardware business and, of course, his beloved family, Spoilt Rotten promises a riveting read. Sadly, Jack’s wife Susan did not live to see the book she for so long cajoled him into writing appear in print.
“Susan always intended to write this preface herself, but unfortunately, death crept up on her without much warning in 2017, her 94th year,” their daughter Louise wrote in her preface to the memoirs.
“The story of individuals working together to improve their community, whether through business initiatives or fundraising and lobbying for public facilities, is reflected in towns and communities across Ireland. Modern challenges may be different, but the same spirit is needed to address them.
“It has been a privilege to work on these memoirs and discover my father as a child and younger man,” Louise added so poignantly. It’s a must for all who love Listowel, as with its looming launch in the Seanchaí.