It is that time of year when publishing houses look to the festive spirit to move mountains of books and enhance their coffers. At any time of the year, it is difficult for the smaller houses to compete against the bigger outfits, but as the Christmas market begins to heat up, it becomes even more so.
In Cork, the Collins Press imprint has been a quiet success since its owner, Mr Con Collins, decided some years ago to quit selling books and become a publisher instead.
He has done so with some aplomb, producing beautiful books such as Kerry in Pictures by Michael Diggin, Ireland - The Inner Island, a journey through the inland waterways by Kevin Dwyer, The Irish Round Tower by Brian Lawlor, and Castles and Fortifications in Ireland by Paul M. Kerrigan, as well as many others.
This Christmas, three new titles will appear on the bookshelves. They are; Flashbacks - A Half Century of Cork Hurling, by Pat Nolan, Black Cat's Tales by the former broadcaster, Liam O Murchu and Kevin Whelan's Lord Kildare's Grand Tour, 1766-1769.
Of the first it should be said that countless books have been written about Cork hurling but not in this style. If you thought there was nothing more important than hurling, the author reminds you that there were other bits and pieces going on at the same time.
For instance, in 1979, Cork were beaten by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Charles Haughey became Taoiseach and the final number one pop song of the year was Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall.
Black Cat's Tails is the sequel to Black Cat in the Window. Having beguiled us with stories of the Cork slums and lanes in the first book, O Murchu now takes us with him on his journey to Dublin to find fame and fortune.
William Robert FitzGerald was the elder brother of Lord Edward. In 1775 he became the 2nd Duke of Leinster, Lord Kildare. He was only 17 years old when he commenced his grand tour and he recorded everything encountered from Rome to Berlin in letters to his mother, the Duchess Emilla.
Taken as a whole, the correspondence gives a fascinating insight not only into the European cities of the day but life back home in Ireland as well. The dutiful son in these letters would never have been taken for the brother of a rebellious nobleman.