Sir Alex Ferguson the former manager of Manchester United Football Club, joined a sell-out crowd in Manchester to help launch the memoirs of his friend and neighbour in Manchester - the award winning Mayo man Joe Kennedy.
The book which is called 'On the Strength of a Ten Bob Note’ tells the story of Joe Kennedy's life in being born in New York, growing up in Doocastle in County Mayo and travelling to England to seek his fortune at the age of 16 in 1953.
It was launched at the Chorlton Irish Club in South Manchester, where Joe was a former chairperson, the club is Manchester’s longest running Irish club. All the proceeds from the book launch and the sale of the book were being donated to St Ann’s Hospice.
The event was attended by people from all over Manchester and Mayo with the managing director of Ireland West Airport - Joe Gilmore where Joe is the current chairperson flying in for the event.
Amongst those attending the packed out event was Lawrence Hennigan from Mayo Manchester Tourism and Business group who commented about the event “It was a fantastic evening and we were delighted to attend the event to support Joe and St Ann’s Hospice. He is a great supporter of our work in developing tourism and business links between Mayo and Manchester.”
Marcella Wilkinson the President of the Manchester Mayo Association is pictured here with Joe Kennedy and Sir Alex Ferguson after making a donation to the charity on behalf of the association.
The book recounts the story of how Joe established ‘Kennedy’s Construction Company’ in Manchester, which at one stage employed over 800 people. The book also talks about his work as a philanthropist and how he has contributed to numerous charitable causes in Ireland and England, and his work with the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
The autobiography is a candid and enthralling memoir, where Joe recalls his astonishing rags to riches story and recounts some of the extraordinary episodes in his eventful life.
‘On the Strength of a Ten Bob Note’ has been described by its publishers as a fascinating portrait of an Irish emigrant who always remained true to his roots.
To purchase the book online click on link below:
https://www.mayobooks.ie/Strenght_Ten_Bon_Kennedy
Joe Kennedy is pictured with Marcella Wilkinson and Sir Alex Ferguson atv the launch