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Wanderings in Leitrim and Afar
by Kevin J. O’Connell
Format: Hardback
Publication date: 15th June 2010
ISBN: 978-1-907179-41-9
Price: €25.00
In this book the author declares that he is a writer, but he goes on to explain that he is not a writer in the accepted sense, as he does not write in order to make a living.
However, during his working life, he has written a great deal, and indeed the photo accompanying the introduction was taken in IDA headquarters, where a book by him has just been launched.
The book in question is a good example of his desire to “give something back.” This he has done throughout his working life and into retirement, by seeking ways in which he could share his acquired knowledge with others in the interest of supporting Irish industry and creating job opportunities.
The book he is holding in the photo is titled; “Going the Quality Road”, and it was intended to acquaint the captains of small Irish industries with the concepts of “Quality Management.”
The book to which he has now put his name is very different in that he is inviting the reader to accompany him on a journey into his personal history, and to share with him the emotions and reactions, which will accompany the journey.
He hopes that you will find the experience worthwhile.
About the Author
Born in County Leitrim in 1928
Primary education in Ballinamore National School.
Secondary education in Saint Mel’s College, Longford 1942-1947.
University qualification in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in 1951.
Selected by Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Company, Manchester, for a one year course in the practical application of engineering theory 1951-1952.
Award of B.Sc in Applied Science in 1952.
Joined the Engineering branch of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs in November 1953.
Moved to the newly established RTE as Engineer-in-charge of Ireland’s first high-power TV transmitter on Kippure mountain in 1961.
Became manager of Studios and Outside Broadcasts 1966-1968.
Head of Production Facilities, Television 1968-1972.
Head of Network 1972-1978.
Deputy Director Engineering and Head of Network 1978-1983.
Director of Engineering 1978-1991.
Retired from RTE but continued to “give something back” by his work for the Mentor Programme in gratitude for an interesting and rewarding career.
His writings, as a participant in George Ferguson’s writing group, have given him many hours of pleasure and this book is the result.
Extract taken from “It’s a Small World”
The rest is now history. On April 13th we left for the Cape. On Sunday morning, the 16th, at 5a.m., I stood in front of the Press Site, and watched a spectacular sunrise. At first light, the golden fingers of the dawn stretched in from the sea, gradually dispelling the last shreds of night. When they fell on the rocket, standing at the ready over three miles away, they etched it into the cloudless sky like a spectacular arrow pointing the way to the stars.
By 8 a.m. the quiet and wonder of the dawn had surrendered to the noise and bustle of arriving pressmen, cameramen and broadcasters. From then till noon I had my hands full getting all our commentators set up, getting special broadcasts arranged for BBC and RAI (Italian TV), and making sure that the European ground station in France had acquired the satellite signals, and that Europe was all set to watch the launch.
The launch itself was an experience I shall never forget. The sound of the rocket engines was the most impressive of all. If you can imagine the sound made by the ripping of a hard fabric like calico, and then visualise what it would be like if it were amplified until it made your very being vibrate, you will got an impression of what it was like.
