The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ultan on hand to launch book on Kerry international people
TRALEE’S Ireland and Connacht Rugby star Ultan Dillane was in his hometown on Friday night to launch a new book on international people living in Kerry.
Behind the Face – created by the Tralee International Resource Centre –features the remarkable and inspiring true life stories of 15 international people who have made Kerry their home.
Dillane who was taking a well earned break from training and returned home to launch the book at Siamsa Tire in Tralee.
“The book is great and it will help people understand why and how people came to Kerry,” says Ultan.
“As a child growing up in Tralee I had a lot of international friends whose families had made Kerry their home.”
The Irish Rugby International was originally born in Paris to an Irish mother and a father from the Ivory Coast, but grew up in Tralee and began his rugby career at Tralee Rugby Club.
Ultan moved to Tralee when he was seven years old and at the time he only spoke French but he soon made the town his home just like many of those in the new book.
Also at the launch was author Billy Keane who wrote the foreword for the book. He says that Kerry should welcome its international community with open arms.
The book is available from TIRC (066 7127918) and Siamsa Tire in Tralee; at Khao Restaurant on High Street in Killarney or by calling 087 9303061. It costs €10 with all proceeds going to support TIRC’s work promoting integration.