We are delighted to announce that The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie That Won the Derby, the stunning biography of the legendary Edwardian jockey, will be launched on June 6th, in Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club, Strand Road, Tralee. The book chronicles Dillon’s life story, from humble beginnings in Tralee, to becoming one of Edwardian England’s most celebrated jockeys, and one of London’s most notorious celebrities, due largely to his dysfunctional and abusive relationship with music-hall artiste Maire Lloyd. Written by one of Kerry’s most promising young journalists, Stephen Fernane, the book is both sympathetic and unflinchingly honest when it comes to its subject.
Here is a little from the book blurb: ‘For the first time since his death in a bomb-damaged hospital during the London Blitz of 1941, Dillon’s story is told in full with all its raw intensity and human frailties, reinforcing the life of a man many felt was the best to grace the English turf between 1901 and 1911.
The Life And Times of Bernard Dillon: The Narie That Won The Derby is a compelling story of triumph and tragedy, dreams and disasters. That Bernard excelled in the sport he loved but could never shake the inner demons that haunted him so profoundly in later life produce a story of individual fame framed by an intense and at times unbearable sadness.’
And from Stephen’s bio: ‘Stephen Fernane is a Tralee-based journalist with The Kerryman and Irish Independent newspapers. He was born in Tralee and grew up in St John’s Park. He lives in Kilflynn in North Kerry.
Stephen is an enthusiastic follower of horseracing and attends race meetings around Ireland and the UK. He particularly enjoys researching horseracing history and its strong links with County Kerry, both past and present.
He is also passionate about Kerry football and following the fortunes of the Austin Stacks GAA Club in Tralee.
He studied journalism, English literature, and politics at University College Cork. As a journalist, Stephen has a keen interest in writing human interest stories.’
The location of the launch, Kerins O’Rahillys GAA, Club, Strand Road, is appropriate, as Dillon learned the tricks of his trade riding ponies in the quiet fields near the Strand Road, and despite his later successes, he remained a Tralee born Narie true and true.
The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon will be officially launched by Cllr. Terry O’Brien, Mayor of Tralee, and Leas-Chathaoirleach of Kerry County Council. In addition to Terry’s work as a public representative and with the Irish Wheelchair Association, he proudly describes himself as a ‘thoroughbred Narie’, meaning there is unlikely to be anyone more suited to launch a biography of one of the Strand Road’s greatest if most complicated sons.
Stephen availed of JM Agency’s Book Publishing Package, which included management and consultations with Jeremy and design magic from Parvathi. Stephen wanted to imbue both the book cover and book interior with an Edwardian, antique flavour, as a tribute to its flamboyant subject, and we hope we have achieved that in both the ornamental cover and the atmospheric book interior.
The Life and Times of Bernard Dillon will be launched on June 6th, in Kerins O’Rahillys GAA, Club, Strand Road, Tralee. Light refreshments served and all are welcome.
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