Irish personalities reveal moments that changed their lives in a new book

Writer Edna O’ Brien (above), musician

Christy Moore

, and former rugby International

Tony Ward

are some of the well-known personalities who reveal the moments and ideas that shaped their lives in a new book.

About 100people attended the launch of the Life Is For Living book, which reflects on life in contemporary Ireland, at the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin last night, as part of the Dublin Writers festival.

The book was created by Age and Opportunity, the organisation best known for Bealtaine - the annual month-long celebration of older people's creativity in May, to celebrate their 25-year-old birthday and inspire people to usetheir full potential as they age.

Maureen Kennelly, director of Poetry Ireland, who spoke at the ceremony, said there were 29 contributions from well known older people, which included presenter Olivia O' Leary and artist Pauline Bewick.

“This inspiring and endlessly entertaining book provides a perfect blueprint for a better Ireland and should be required reading for people of all ages,” she said.

The candid stories include how writer Mary Russell wanted to be a bishop, how Thomas McCann ended up in the Hong Kong film world, what gets actor Eamon Morrissey out of bed and how BBC's Robin Day ended up talking to a young Catherine McGuinness about contraception.

[ www.ageandopportunity.ie ]