Bono leads star-studded international line-up for new Irish Hospice
Foundation book “sons+fathers” launching this weekend
Some of the world’s best known men including President Bill Clinton, actor Gabriel Byrne and all of the members of rock group U2 are part of a special new Irish Hospice Foundation book celebrating the unique relationship between sons and fathers.
International writers, actors, artists, musicians, politicians and entrepreneurs make up the star-studded cast contributing to sons+fathers which will be available in book stores and to buy online from this weekend. (www.hospicefoundation.ie/shop)
The global book of words and images was inspired by U2 lead singer Bono who donated tender drawings he made of his father towards the end of his life. These formed the foundation of this remarkable anthology of personal contributions. The book is edited by writer and editor Kathy Gilfillan, a director of the Lilliput Press.
The brilliant cast from the world of film and stage contributing to the book includes John Boorman; Daniel Day-Lewis; Gabriel Byrne; Neil Jordan; Paul Cusack and Colin Farrell. Musicians include all of the members of U2, the bands former manager Paul McGuinness and his son Max; Paul McCartney; Bob Geldof; Julian Lennon, and Gavin Friday. Writers include John Banville; Roddy Doyle; Robert Fisk; Paul Auster; Mick Heaney; Colum McCann; Joseph O’Connor and Salman Rushdie. From the political world there are contributions from President Clinton, Alastair Campbell and Bobby Shriver.
In a powerful introduction Colm Tóibín investigates how some of our greatest writers have explored the complex and often dramatic relationship between father and son. “It is the job of the son to live in the shadow of his father’s dreams, sometimes to fulfil them, sometimes to disappoint, or indeed outshine.”
In his moving tribute to his late father Bob, Bono says, “I have no scientific evidence to back up the claim that sometimes a close relation, in passing, bequeaths us a gift. Something to get us through. I can’t explain this, but I do know that ever since my father died, my voice changed.”
Author John Banville pauses to thinks back on his father’s consistent pace of life. On the death of his father he recalls the realisation that he was now ‘an orphan’. “I felt impossibly young, as young as I was when I lived with my parents, yet also immensely older. It was unsettling to realize that from now on, when reference was made to ‘Mr Banville’, it would be me that was meant. The older generation had departed, leaving me in charge.”
In his personal reflection former US President Bill Clinton details his lifelong struggle to keep hold of the memory of a father tragically lost before he was born. “When I became a father myself, I tried to remember that it was my most important job, one I wanted to do well for the daughter I adore and a lost father who was denied life’s greatest gift.
Robert Fisk, Middle East Correspondent with The Independent details the difficult relationship he had with his father Bill, a soldier in the Great War. “All his life, Bill said he wanted a proud son, but he was unable to understand that affection must be earned and not taken for granted. He said he wanted a son who honoured him. I fear what he really wanted was an obedient junior officer. This he could not have. Which was his misfortune. And, I suppose, mine too.”
Mick Heaney, son of the late poet Seamus Heaney, said: “One of the things I miss about Dad is having those conversations, where nothing of consequence was said because there was no need to, and I could just bask in his company.”
The Park Hyatt hotel brand supports the sons+fathers’ project as its major worldwide sponsor.Park Hyatt has ordered 10,000 books to be placed in the guestrooms and suites of 34 Park Hyatt hotels around the world, includingthe newest additions Park Hyatt Vienna and Park Hyatt NewYork.
“When we were approached to support this book through Bono we jumped at the opportunity. It will provide our guests with a rare and intimate look into that special father and son relationship of some very well-known people, including one within our own Hyatt family,” said Katherine Melchior Ray, Vice President of Luxury Brands for Hyatt. “The Park Hyatt brand was invited to contribute its own founding story by our Executive Chairman, Tom Pritzker. In the book, he shares the legacy left by his father and Park Hyatt founder, Jay Pritzker, who has inspired our brand through hisbusinessacumen andappreciation for art and will continue to serve as inspiration for years to come.”
Ardagh Group has sponsored the Irish printing of sons+fathers.
Irish Hospice Foundation CEO Sharon Foley said the book is a compelling mix of words and images from the world’s most famous men which explores the unique bond that exists between sons and fathers.
“Bono planted the seed for this book with his generous gift of the drawing he made of his father when he was dying.He asked if they could be used to raise money for The Irish Hospice Foundation, so we decided on a book, and the net was cast wide and far. We were blown away by the response and generosity of the participants, all who are very busy, well-known people.”
The proceeds of the book will go towards The Irish Hospice Foundation’s Nurses for Night Care Programme, a service which provides over 1,400 nights of free nursing care at home annually to people with a non-malignant terminal illness.
Part of the proceeds will also go towards Hospice Africa Uganda founded by the inspirational 2014 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Anne Merriman who did her medical training in Dublin.
Ms Foley said the IHF believes everyone has the right to a good death and that includes access to excellent palliative care. “It should be available to anyone with an incurable illness regardless of age and condition in a hospice, at home or a residential care setting. The proceeds from the book will help us in our mission.”
The book is being published by Penguin Random House and Hospice Press.
sons+fathers is available in all good book stores from this weekend and the book can be ordered on line at http://hospicefoundation.ie/shop/books
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For more information contact:
Miriam Donohoe, Head of Communications & Advocacy, Irish Hospice Foundation
Phone: +353 87 2393914
Email:
Or
Mary Ellen Breen, Communications Officer, Irish Hospice Foundation
Phone: +353 83 4257674