Alice Taylor is November, Cork Person of Month.
To mark the recent publication of her book on bereavement ‘And Time Stood Still’, and also to celebrate her past body of work, Alice Taylor has been named November Cork Person of the Month.
Alice, addressing friends from hometown Innishannon and her native Newmarket, at the book launch said, “The strength of community is so important and sharing in someone else’s grief, can help more than anything “.
Alice Taylor is one of the most loved contemporary Irish writers and one of the most prolific. Her first book of memoirs ‘To School Through the Fields’ back in 1988, is the biggest-selling book ever published in Ireland. It was followed by other collections of memoirs including ‘Quench the Lamp’ (1990), ‘The Village’ (1992), ‘Country Days’ (1993), and ‘An Irish Country Christmas’ (1994). Her novels include ‘The Woman of the House’ (1997), and a sequel ‘Across the River’ (2000). Other books include ‘The Parish’, ‘The Journey’, ‘Selected Poems’, “The Night Before Christmas’, ‘House of Memories’ and many more.
Her new book, ‘And Time Stood Still’, is an extended memoir with reminiscences about Alice Taylor’s family members and friends that have passed away. It is very much a therapeutic book demonstrating a compassionate way of dealing with bereavement.
“Alice tells how she coped with the emptiness she felt when family members died and the seeming impossibility of moving on, when time stood still for her. It’s an inspiring and an intimate book that will help many in that same place”, said awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan.
Alice Taylor’s name now goes forward, with the other Persons of the Month chosen this year, for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year. The Gala Awards Lunch takes place at the Rochestown Park Hotel on Jan 18th next, and Guest of Honour will be President Michael D. Higgins.