Books with author Marty Whelan

From Norman Wisdom to Eurovision and everything in between, a lively and entertaining memoir from one of Ireland’s best-loved personalities.Throughout the highs and lows of a 30-year career as one of Ireland’s best-loved radio and television personalities, Marty Whelan has always remained upbeat, with a determination for survival and an enthusiasm for life.In this warm and witty memoir, Marty takes inspiration from the songs that have had meaning in his life as he explores some big themes – love, heroes, family, friendship, music, childhood and spirituality – by way of Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Glen Campbell, Paul McCartney, The Three Degrees, Frank Sinatra and Madama Butterfly.Although he is one of Ireland’s national treasures, Marty has never stopped being a fan himself. That’s Life describes his many wonderful adventures, up close and personal with his own heroes: getting to bring his beloved mum to tea with her idol Norman Wisdom, forgetting how to speak on coming face-to-face with Al Pacino, entertaining Spike Milligan and dancing in the dark with Bruce Springsteen.And yet at the heart of the book is the story of the man himself, from growing up as an only child to his brief spell in a band (that couldn’t write any songs), from dating in Dublin in the seventies to leaving his insurance job during lunch hour for his first broadcasting gigs on pirate radio, and on to the many family highs and occasional heartaches.A great man for the tangent – you’ll find you have to stop off a few times for the odd joke – Marty will take you on a whirlwind journey through a life fully lived, but most of all a life filled with love, laughter, family and friendship.

Throughout the highs and lows of a 30-year career as one of Ireland's best-loved radio and television personalities, Marty Whelan has always remained upbeat, with a determination for survival and an enthusiasm for life. In this warm and witty memoir, Marty takes inspiration from the songs that have had meaning in his life as he explores some big themes - love, heroes, family, friendship, music, childhood, and spirituality - by way of Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Glen Campbell, Paul McCartney, the Three Degrees, Frank Sinatra, and Madama Butterfly.

If your kids ask HOW DOES?, as much as BUT WHY?, then they will love From Dirt to iPads. Mechanical Engineer and Maker turned part time-time Word Wrangler, Mark Whelan will use his experience creating cool stuff to inspire your kids to invent their own worldThis Easy to read book will teach kids and maybe parents too: How we cook rocks to make metal? What inventing products looks like in the real world? Which professionals actually do what? Why Teamwork matters? When do all the steps happen? But most importantly, Everybody can learn how to take dirt, and make an iPad.

This is an adventure story for children ages 6-11. The story centres around Ted who lives on a narrow boat with his dog, Norman and his cat, Paul. When his father, a rock collector, mysteriously disappears, it is up to Ted and his feisty friend Serafina, to find him. At the same time he is having to deal with the school bully, Jarvis. His adventure takes him to an amazing place and he makes some fantastic, unusual, new friends on the way.