Newly Published Book

Jane Quinn • July 7, 2025

Friend of Ireland P J Mckeown is a second-generation Irish Mancunian – that means he was born and raised in Manchester England to parents from Galway and Laois
His Mum was from near Mount Bellew in County Galway and Dad was from Abbeyleix in County Laois.

He spent many a happy holiday in Galway and Laois .

The first volume of his autobiography was recently published.

"I feel that the “ home grown” people in Ireland and Irish Americans tend to be ignorant and somewhat curious about/dismissive of second-generation Irish people and that now is the time to for them to get informed and entertained".

The hilarious story revolves around a second-generation Irish child who is reflecting and recollecting on his bittersweet experiences that he has endured during his upbringing, from the complications of poor health to the incredible fortitude and desire to face the pain and kill it like a painkiller, to rise after every fall, and to learn and laugh after every cry. He bravely rode the rollercoaster of life. Let's get to know about him and, through him, the customs and traditions of Irish people living in Britain. The boy is a sociological human jukebox.
My Generation: The Memoirs of a Second-Generation Irish Wimpy Kid Paperback – 30 Jan. 2025
by PJ McKeown (Author)
£10.99
Available on Amazon UK website and Waterstones UK website

July 22, 2026
How many of you whakapapa to Ireland? Are there similarities between the Irish and Māori stories? A love of rugby? Storytelling? Language revitalisation? A shared history of colonisation and resistance? In the link below you can watch as Moana travels to Ireland, the homeland of her mother’s whānau, to discover just how similar the Māori and Irish cultures really are in a special full-length episode. Funded and supported by Te Māngai Pāho and Whakaata Māori. Watch the full episode here
By Jane Quinn July 10, 2026
Matariki
June 17, 2026
The Tara Trust and Friends of Ireland would like to wish everyone a happy Bloomsday, in tribute to the works of renowned author James Joyce. June 16 is the day on which James Joyce’s groundbreaking Modernist novel, 'Ulysses', is set. In Dublin there is a whole festival dedicated to Bloomsday.