Two Walls and a Roof is “Unputdownable” according to numerous readers. It tells the story of an Irish family from Cork who were born in a house that was originally an alleyway. It begins in the fifties at a time of great poverty, and carries you along on a roller coaster of emotions for the next sixty years. In her tiny little house an inspiring mother would encourage her children to believe in tomorrow and to laugh always, while she herself battled with a domineering old grandmother and an alcoholic husband.
John and Kyrle about 1965
In their early years two of those children, John and Kyrle would live out one crazy adventure after another, literally mimicking whatever they saw in their mad uncle’s picture hall. In time, four more children would arrive, each adding a different way of looking at life, and turning their tiny little house, into a vortex of drama and dreams, while struggling to survive. Despite its small size, their house was a place of great safety, where adversity was laughed at, while they drank tea from their jam jars, read with a candle, and hoped for a better tomorrow.
Eunice and Lill early sixties
This book may bring tears to your eyes, but it’s much more likely to cause peals of laughter as you see how the Cahill’s from Buttevant, individually and collectively dealt with life.
After constant adventures with family colleagues and friends, the author’s way of looking at life would begin to change. His search for life’s meaning would lead to an incredible and magical adventure, one that you will be part of when you read,
Two Walls and a Roof.
Buy it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Two-Walls-Roof-Ireland-America/dp/1479164178/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363053427&sr=8-1&keywords=two+walls+and+a+roof
or buy it at.. Liam O’Ruiseals Book Shop Cork. The Crescent Book shop Limerick City. Philips Book Shop Mallow and in Buttevant at O’Connors Newsagent right across the road from the actual house of Two Walls and a Roof.
Hi john,
Hope book is doing well.
Brilliant news to see you won cork person of month, really deserved.
From Maddy Barrett USA
Coming up in rural poverty of Appalachia, this book hits so close to home. So many honest emotions and the ability to move on in life, turning hardships into miracles while being born into nothing but hopes and dreams. So enjoyed this writing! ~♥~
From Jim O’Malley Charleville and Valentia
Hi John
Great book lovely read – could not let it down – read it in 3 days it brought back great memories.
I did some diy for Kyrle & had the pleasure of being invited to join him & Black John for high tea & biscuits a few times – it felt like entering a Masonic Lodge – very dark & mysterious – 2 great characters.
I once found some old guns in his attic & when i told him he said he thought he had them all buried & he would do the same with these – i tried to get him to give them to a museum – no way. I expect they may be in or under someones tomb.
He also said when he was a kid that he was sent for parafin to burn the baracks before the Free State troops arived. He just did the fetching not the burning.
Also have fond memories of buying penny lucky bags from your Grandmother – it was always my first port of call when i arived at Lillys.
Dan Flynn was a brave man to take your side against Church Mafia – his job must have been on the line. A lot of people had to take the boat for upsetting the church.
From Michael O’Sullivan. (From the NCLR Radio part of the book)
I Have just finished reading your book ”Two Walls and a Roof” and what a magnificent book. Having being living in much the the same same era it brought back many happy memories of my own past. It is a terrefic read for anyone interested in what life was like in Ireland in the 50′s and 60′s and right up to ‘celtic tiger’ times.
John it was great honour to have played some small part in your wonderful and fulfilling life.
What a truthful, honest and descriptive book. You have got me very interested in Route 66 in good old USA. Best of luck to you in the future. “
From Sharon Harrington Beijing
My Mom was reading “Two Walls and a Roof” on her recent visit to see me in Beijing . She was relaying the stories to us as she went along… We sat on a rooftop bar at a place called Hou Hai Lake in Beijing and we had a great laugh at your story about the water pistols in Galway and the Osilator ( I tried to convince Mom and Dad that it was a man who ate donkeys) So she left it here for me to read.. Its great.. It brings me closer to home every time I read a few pages !! I will be sad when I finish it! Congratulations on such as great read!
Marion Jones England
JOHN, I JUST FINISHED THE BOOK, IT WAS BRILLIANT.
I have expressed in many ways and words how much I loved this book….There is a not a emotion in your mind that it does not affect…
I hated to see it come to a end…and honestly, I hope that one day it comes to light in the theatre…In the meanwhile, it is my most heart felt hope that many many people will read this amazing book.
I am amazed that the Cahill brothers and their friends even lived through some of their
shinanigans….The lives of their parents were so touching and dear…Even through some of the
most difficult of times…
I look forward to reading this book over and over…
Thank you so so much Linda, it means a great deal to me.
John
From Nuala Collins England
Can’t put it down since I got it lights out this morning at 3am. Good job not reading by candel light.
A comment from John Duane of Churchtown
“This book is a must read if you want to recapture the days of your youth especially if like me, you grew up in North County Cork and Buttevant area.
This book has done for Rural Ireland what Angela’s Ashes did for Limerick city.
Get it on Amazon.”
It’s also available locally in Buttevant at O Connors newsagent, Philips Book shop Mallow Liam Russell’s in Cork City and now in the Crescent Book shop Limerick city.
From Joy
Joy O Reilly on March 20, 2013 at 9:34 pm said:
Hi john,
just finished the kindle version of your book. I am afraid I have one major complaint…it ended too soon!
Seriously I really enjoyed revisiting the places Where I grew up,you captured the times, characters and painted some wonderful pictures of Buttevant., sad, uplifting and most of all inspiring…..it gave the reader Hope. What an amazing journey and still away to go…….so get on with the second book fill in the gaps and satisfy my inate curiosity lol.
Well done John and when I get my hard copy I will track you sown to sign it.Kindle is grand but must see the photos in the hard copy.
Best wishes to you and yours, Always
Joy
It was funny
I just finished reading your book. I enjoyed it thoroughly and recommended it to my book club. It’s good to read about someone who didn’t need to have everything handed to them on a silver platter, but used their native intelligence and imagination to make a mark in the world. Cudos to you!
The book has meant an awful lot to me, and enjoyed every word.
What a awesome book
I can’t thank you enough Linda, you are very kind indeed because any book lives or dies on its honest reviews, and so far I have been incredibly lucky, with people like you reading it. May you be blessed. John
Brilliant, simply brilliant! I enjoyed your book enormously. I could hear your voice in the words as the pages came to life. Excellent work, John. I look forward to the next. My love to you both.
I can’t thank you enough Jeane, you are so kind to write a review here.
John
Bought the book on my kindle loved it couldn’t put it down
Very good book, John!! I enjoyed it very much and did not want to put it down!! I hope you are working on another one!! I highly recommend it to everyone!!
Thanks Susie, you are very kind
Thank you for replying.
I certainly enjoy the school stories and would be able to add one or two more but could not match the storytelling.
I did not live too far from school so saw the day to day life of the school and a book could be written on it ,no doubt with its characters and its own stories.
You did fix our tv once and yes you took it away and it came back fixed.
All I remember is the weight of it, would have taken a few to move it.! Those TVA were big in those days.
Well done again, finished book last week, could not put it down for a couple of weeks.
Thanks for that, we all need such a read every now and again, this certainly brightened those couple of weeks.
Tim, I am glad you enjoyed it please do me a favor and recommend it to others. I’m doing my own marketing with zero budget lol . I have a newsletter set up now on the website if you’d like to stay in touch feel free to register, I promise it is not going to be a marketing machine.
Bye for now
JMC
Hi john,
I grew up in the same town, this books describes it wonderfully.
It is a great read and a credit to you.
I moved away over 20 years ago but still remember my childhood with happiness.
I remember cong and his motorbike and the headstone business near sadliers.
Your writing is magical and brings everything to life.
You must have memories for a second book?
Most characters I knew , you described them brilliantly.
Tim
Too bad your book is being advertised at Barnes & Noble. it may hurt your distribution. I hope the Vick book mark the beginning of the end for Barns & Noble.
Have just read first half of the book in few hours, on my kindle, and have decided to slow down a bit. Great read and brings back some of my memories growing up in cork.
I have 3 generations of the name Kyrl in my family and no one knows where it came from. Do you know how your family got the name ?
Thanks for a wonderful book.
Robert Acton
It appears that you are up nd running AOK! Merry Christmas from the North Pole located just east of Steelville!
John:
If you are ever in the Nashville, TN area look me up.
Kevin
Great read John, many stories I have loved to hear you tell me by the fire side through the years with great animation. I am glad that your dream of putting it all in a book has finally happened.
Best wishes liz x
Love this book! I have recommended it to many!!!! Love a book that can make you run the gamut of emotions and keep you from wanting to put it down!
I love your book, I have it on my kindle and have already listened to it several times. Your story telling of your life is filled with every emotion there is. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us!
Really enjoyed the book. Well worth reading.
Your book made me laugh, cry, and made me laugh
Again! It is Brilliant!! It proves that as long as there is hope
there is life. I totally and completely loved it. Well done John!!
I Love this story. You can tell it was written from the heart.