Once Upon a Time

This is a compilation of stories and poems I’ve written over the past ten or more years. It will in all probability be my final publishing endeavor … or maybe not? I’ve written these stories and poems all over the world in Chiang Mai Thailand Ciudad Colon Costa Rica Sri Lanka Mount Kisco NY Manhattanville College Purchase NY. Most of the stories are fiction with some reflections on life and spirituality. As we grow older our outlook and beliefs evolve and we wrestle again with our spiritual connections with God and the Universe. Oddly enough few if any have been written in Ireland though many about Ireland and especially Abbeyside the village where I was formed and had such an influence on who and what I would become. Though times were hard and money scarce I wouldn’t swap my upbringing there with the most affluent denizens anywhere on the planet. There were times I was dissatisfied growing up for I had a great desire to travel the world and experience other cultures but as I grow older I appreciate more and more the lessons learned lifelong friendships made and the optimism and will to forge better times that always existed there. To be clear this existed not just where I grew up but throughout Ireland. But it seemed Saint Augustine our patron saint was keeping a particular eye out for the village and its people. A special thanks to my daughter Triona my son-in law JP and my good friend Eddie Cantwell who each helped at various stages in bringing this book to fruition.