From First Communions to CIÉ Mystery Tours the heartwarming story of award-winning journalist Gene Kerrigan's childhood in Dublin in the '50sIn his highly addictive style, Gene Kerrigan effortlessly reconstructs the Ireland of the 1950s and early '60s in which he grew up. An adult world of absolute moral certainties, casual cruelties and mass emigration; for children an age of innocence, but an innocence hemmed in by fear and guilt.In this brilliant and humorous memoir, Kerrigan tells of a world that now seems as distant as another country. Into the details of school, street and family life, of Christmas, First Communion, school violence, CIE Mystery Tours and the arrival of television are woven the political background of the day and recollections of the impact of major figures: Michael O Hehir, Seán Lemass, Eamon 'Dev' De Valera, JFK, not to mention Hector Grey, Shane, Davy Crockett and Audie Murphy.It's a compelling, touching and often very funny account of a happy childhood in a country that was itself far from happy.

Gene Kerrigan is an award-winning Irish journalist and writer. Born in Dublin, Kerrigan wrote for Hot Press and Magill in the 1970s and 1980s before moving to the Irish Independent. Winner of World Journalist of the Year in 1985 and 1990, Kerrigan's work focuses heavily on crime, political corruption and social issues.He is the author of a number of works of non-fiction, including Another Country: Growing Up in '50s Ireland, Hard Cases: True Stories of Irish Crime and Never Make a Promise You Can't Keep: How to Succeed in Irish Politics. He is also a successful crime writer, and was awarded the 2012 Gold Dagger Prize for his novel The Rage.