Ronan O'Gara: My Autobiography

by Ronan O'Gara

Ronan O'Gara is one of the greatest sportsmen Ireland has ever produced. A brilliant kicker both from the hand and at penalty goals, a sublime orchestrator of play from the out-half position he has made his own, and a cool head in the pressure-cooker of club and international rugby, the list of the Cork man's achievements goes on and on. The leading points scorer in Irish rugby history, the Six Nations and the Heineken Cup. The architect of two amazing Munster triumphs in Europe. The man whose last minute drop-goal sensationally won the Grand Slam in 2009, Ireland's first for 61 years.

In his candid, illuminating autobiography, O'Gara tells the story of those many on-field successes and, with brutal honesty, the darker days as well, most notably at the 2007 World Cup. He tells the inside story of Ireland's disappointments in France, and responds to the allegations about his personal life that made front-page news that autumn. Ronan O'Gara: My Autobiography is the unforgettable story of a rugby player at the top of his game, of a life lived to the full, and of a passionate and proud representative of the people of Cork and Ireland.

Sanctuary

by Ken Bruen

Two guards; one nun; one judge.

When a letter containing a list of victims arrives in the post, PI Jack Taylor is sickened, but tells himself the list has nothing to do with him. He has enough to do just staying sane. His close friend Ridge is recovering from surgery, and alcohol's siren song is calling to him ever more insistently.

A guard and then a judge die in mysterious circumstances. But it is not until a child is added to the list that Taylor determines to find the identity of the killer, and stop them at any cost.

What he doesn't know is that his relationship with the killer is far closer than he thinks. And that it's about to become deeply personal.

Spiked with dark humour, seasoned with acute insights about the perils of urbanisation, and fuelled by rage at man's inhumanity to man, this is crime-writing at its darkest and most original.

Screaming At The Sky

by Tony Griffin

- He's a champion sportsman at the highest level - a Clare 'All Star', playing one of the world's fastest, most challenging sports - hurling.
- He's cycled 7,000 km across a continent in 51 days.
- He's raised almost €1 million for cancer charities.
- He's Tony Griffin.

Tony Griffin is a man of remarkable drive and determination, but during the course of four extraordinary, turbulent years, he was tested to the limit . . .

Following his beloved father's death in 2005, Tony Griffin made the momentous decision to postpone his studies and devote himself to the sport he loved, hurling. Driven to succeed, before long he'd become the sport's first modern full-time player, and secured a coveted All Star award.

But to the dismay of many, at the peak of his career Griffin took a year out of the game and set himself another, almost impossible challenge: he'd cycle across the second largest landmass on earth - Canada, and raise €1 million for cancer charities in memory of his late father. This punishing 7,000km ride would prove to be more testing than he could ever have imagined. On his return to Ireland Griffin was plagued by serious injury and self-doubt. It was then that he knew he would have to dig deep if he was ever to fulfil his dreams and his potential.

Beautifully written and intensely moving, Screaming at the Sky is a story of courage, of love and loss, and of battles won and lost both on and off the field. It is also the story of how one man faced his demons and finally found peace with himself and the world.

'An extremely inspirational, moving and motivational read. Tony passionately shows how sport can bring all of us such strength, power and belief in times of dire need.' - Paula Radcliffe, Marathon world-record holder

Seasons of the Day

by Sister Stan

Based on the traditional Book of Hours - psalms said daily, at set times, by religious communities throughout the world - Seasons of the Day reveals the enduring relevance of this ancient practice
to contemporary living.

In Seasons of the Day, Sister Stan, knowing that our modern-day understanding of time pushes us to our stressed-out limits, passes on the monastic ritual to the layperson.

Here, as she slows us down, she reveals the psalms through her own words, her own prayers. Using them, she also guides us tenderly through a four-week period, from the silence and mystery of pre-dawn (matins) through to the reflective conclusion of the day (compline).

In a world that can often seem hostile and unfriendly, her gentle reflections help the reader find inner peace and confidence.

A prayer book for today

Soul Song: Reflections On An Unexpected Journey by The Priests

by Father Eugene O'Hagan; Father Martin O'Hagan; Father David Delargy

Known collectively as The Priests, Fr Martin, Fr Eugene and Fr David, have taken the music world by storm. Since they signed their much-reported Sony contract in front of Westminster Cathedral in April 2008, their album has sold almost 2,000,000 copies worldwide and broke the Guinness record for the fastest-selling debut classical album in the UK. It has also chalked up an impressive fifteen weeks at No. 1 on the Classic FM chart and was nominated for a Classical Brit Award. In June 2009, The Priests topped off their incredibly successful year with a highly-acclaimed mini-tour of the UK and Ireland.

But long lunches in swanky restaurants and celebrity parties count for little with these down-to-earth, wonderfully talented singers, because first and foremost, David, Martin and Eugene are priests; their faith and the work they undertake in their busy parishes takes priority over everything else they do. So, whilst their gruelling promotional schedule for the album has taken them around the world - from Europe to Montreal and Toronto, from Washington to New York and Sydney, where they have played to packed houses and given dozens of press, radio and tv interviews - they have always been happy to return to their parishes in Belfast and the people they serve.

Now in Soul Song, The Priests draw upon their unique experiences as priests and performers, their love of music and their faith, as they weave together a rich, illuminating tapestry of spiritual wisdom. Insightful and engaging, it is a treasury of memories which offers us all a rare and timely opportunity to reflect on our own journey through life.