What People Are Saying

“I’m not big reader. I think the last book I read cover to cover was 12 years ago. (Just pre my sons birth) Don’t get me wrong – I read daily to educate myself. (But not for leisure)

I happened across Irish words of wisdom. “Enchanted” is the only accurate word I can express. From the moment you take it out – you are some how greeted with a visual elegance.  An elegance you want to know more and something of. Given its presentation you can fly through it in a moment and chuckle and smile – yet that’s not where it’s Beauty really is. Having flown through it page to page eating the words and enjoying the visuals .. it drew me back again – a second, third and even fourth time. (No book has ever done that to me) I found myself on occasion, upon the second, third and forth reading – somewhat reflective of my own life. Perhaps one passage and page – I actually had to close the book to think of its words and what that meant to me as a 47 year old single father in my life. It challenges your own thoughts if read more than once having followed what is clearly a story.

A beautiful piece of work and I’ll be most happy for more.

David McKeown (Just a person finding his own place in the world)

“Fantastic and very enjoyable book, well produced and great gift. Looking forward to seeing the Irish words of wit follow-up.”
~Paul Smith

“A lovely book, not heavy going but full of pictures and quotes so that each page evokes a multitude of senses – brings a smile and occasionally a tear with more than a hint of nostalgia. Love it! ”
~Roisin Philips

“Superb book with magnificent photographs.”
~Graham Brown.

“A beautiful work of art filled with emotion, thought and an eye for detail on every page – a fantastic achievement.”
~Dr Michelle McCormack

“A Beautiful and eloquent book full of vibrant colour with such uplifting and inspiring words.”
~Eilish Keegan

“A fascinating travel companion replete with wise sayings culled from locals and some celebrities and set against an album classy, evocative high-res photos.  Kate’s book, entitled ‘Irish Words of Wisdom Our Elders used to say and other Treasures found along the way’ is a bit of a mouthful of a rhyming couplet yet the adages quoted, with an aim ‘to lift your spirits’, are pithy and memorable.  Our spirits are indeed lifted by this thought-provoking compendium of locally and not-so-locally derived quotations, types of bite-sized homely but profound reminders about life and how it could be lived.  The mixture indeed of South Armagh sourced maxims with lines from Kavanagh or Maureen O’Hara give the book an unpredictability that makes it ideal as a dip-into travel companion.  The words encourage short meditation while the striking accompanying photography (mainly by Gary Mc Parland), including many recognizable scenes from this district, provoke further thoughtful reactions. The finish and durable design of the book itself (hard-backed, gilt cover lettering, full colour, with Irish language bookends) are to be commended.  For this reviewer the best ‘words of wisdom’ are those which echo words he has heard himself, like Jim Mc Evoy’s ‘In a hundred years from now there won’t be a word about any of us; sure we’re only passing through’.  We will indeed be forgotten but our words will survive us on others’ tongues and indeed on the pages of Kate’s book.  Kate’s ‘Slán go fóill/Goodbye for now’ end page suggests a follow-up.  The book has already sold well and there is clearly a demand for ‘More Irish Words of Wisdom’.
~Séamus Mac Dhaibhéid