Ballinascreen man publishes his third poetry book

Writer Patrick Gormley has launched his third book at an event held in Ballinascreen.

'The Leap Year' is a collection of 41 poems written by the County Tyrone native, who resides outside Draperstown.

Patrick, who has been writing poems for more than 15 years, held the launch in Draperstown Library last Tuesday evening.

A member of local writers' groups in Kilcronaghan and Burnavon, Patrick has previously published two books.

His first book was a collection of limericks titled 'Northern Irelaugh', which provides a humorous look at the North.

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His second book, 'Amber Roses' is a special poetry collection that touches on many topics and includes humorous poems, romantic poems, and poems full of wonderful stories that will suit all readers.

Patrick says all the poems in his new book 'The Leap Year' were written during the leap year in 2024.

Pictured left to right: Bridget Dougan, Ann-Marie Mallon and Kendra Reynolds.

“There is something in there for everyone, I'm really pleased with how the book has turned out,” Patrick said.

Speaking about what inspires his poetry, Patrick added: “I could just be walking along and something just comes into my head, it just comes to me and I have to write it down. A lot of my poems are like that. I'm inspired by everything around me.”

During the launch, Patrick read a selection of poems from his new publication and members of the Burnavon Writers' Group read some of their own work, as well as some of their favourite poems from Patrick's collection.

Fellow writer Margaret McCrory also read a poem she had penned as a tribute to Patrick.

Author Kendra Reynolds, who attended the launch, described Patrick as 'a prolific writer' whose work has been 'published internationally'.

Patricia Broderick, Brian Porter and Graham Mawhinney.

Ms Reynolds praised Patrick for his 'definitive style' and poetry that 'hits with real poignancy'.

Patrick's new book is currently available to purchase at Sheehy's in Cookstown and will soon be available for sale on eBay.

His other publications can be found on Amazon.