An eclectic group comprised of MEP Sean Kelly, Minister for Education Norma Foley, Mayor of Tralee Terry O'Brien, Pa Daly TD, horse trainer Tommy Cooper, and others from the sporting world gathered tonight in the clubhouse for the launch of Stephen Fernane's book subtitled " The Narie who won the Derby".
The evening began with a warm welcome from publisher Jeremy Murphy, who was followed by club chairman Oliver Molloy who welcomed everybody and expressed his delight that Bernard Dillon was now being brought home to Tralee and most especially Strand Road where his story began in the late 1800s.
He spoke of the sporting rivalries in Tralee and referenced others from the area who have excelled on both the national and international stage such as weightlifter Christy Switzer, rugby internationals Dick and Donal Spring, marathon runner John Griffin and his brother, Stephen a cyclist.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Terry O'Brien, a "Narie thoroughbred " in the words of the author, officially launched the book saying what an honour it was for him to do so and recalling the enthusiasm and interest Stephen has in horse racing both flat and national hunt.
Stephen then took the stage, captivating the audience with a heartfelt speech about the inspiration behind the book and the journey he took bringing it to life.
The story of Bernard Dillon is a fascinating one, from the boy who left Caherina at the tender age of 13 bound for Salisbury in the UK and 10 years later was winning the Epsom Derby in 1910 - he was at the pinnacle of his career and one of the finest jockeys of his era surpassing the Americans like Tod Sloan, Danny Maher and the Reiff brothers, Johnny and Lester.
His marriage to music hall singer, Marie Lloyd was to lead to a turbulent private life and the eventual demise of his racing career.
As the evening drew to a close, Stephen presented club chairman Oliver Molloy with a framed print of the legendary jockey.
The book is on sale at Polymath and online by clicking here.
The evening began with a warm welcome from publisher Jeremy Murphy, who was followed by club chairman Oliver Molloy who welcomed everybody and expressed his delight that Bernard Dillon was now being brought home to Tralee and most especially Strand Road where his story began in the late 1800s.
He spoke of the sporting rivalries in Tralee and referenced others from the area who have excelled on both the national and international stage such as weightlifter Christy Switzer, rugby internationals Dick and Donal Spring, marathon runner John Griffin and his brother, Stephen a cyclist.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Terry O'Brien, a "Narie thoroughbred " in the words of the author, officially launched the book saying what an honour it was for him to do so and recalling the enthusiasm and interest Stephen has in horse racing both flat and national hunt.
Stephen then took the stage, captivating the audience with a heartfelt speech about the inspiration behind the book and the journey he took bringing it to life.
The story of Bernard Dillon is a fascinating one, from the boy who left Caherina at the tender age of 13 bound for Salisbury in the UK and 10 years later was winning the Epsom Derby in 1910 - he was at the pinnacle of his career and one of the finest jockeys of his era surpassing the Americans like Tod Sloan, Danny Maher and the Reiff brothers, Johnny and Lester.
His marriage to music hall singer, Marie Lloyd was to lead to a turbulent private life and the eventual demise of his racing career.
As the evening drew to a close, Stephen presented club chairman Oliver Molloy with a framed print of the legendary jockey.
The book is on sale at Polymath and online by clicking here.
