“Ireland – Penang: Bridging Friendships” book launch

Maggie Territt and Barry Leddy
Design, layout and photographs by Adrian Cheah

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

Top photo from left: Mr. Declan Kelly with authors, Maggie Territt and Barry Leddy.

The Star, 5 March 2015 wrote:

The annual St. Patrick’s Festival in Penang will see the launching of Maggie Territt and Barry Leddy’s book entitled ‘Ireland – Penang: Bridging Friendships’. Territt, who is Penang Irish Association president, said the book co-authored by Leddy was about Penang’s first overseas settlers who suffered untold hardships during long sea voyages. “Some came for fame and fortune or adventure while others did so because of their desire to help open up unknown parts of the ‘new world’ and to impart both their knowledge and faith...

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

The book was launched at the St. Patrick’s Ball at E&O Hotel on Friday, 6 March 2015 by Maggie Territt and Barry Leddy. Armed with hammers, the co-authors chiseled through a block of ice to set free the encased book.

Prior to that, they held a press conference announcing the launch of the book. At the press conference, the Irish Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Declan Kelly said, “I’m very proud and happy that Maggie and Barry have written an amazing book on how the Irish have bestowed valuable legacies treasured over time and posterity. How they have made an impact, winning local hearts and moulding their talents, giving them direction and a promising tomorrow.”

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

Top photo: Book designer Adrian Cheah (in a sunrise collage-print shirt) having a ball among friends.

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

The book was officially launched by the YB Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang at the St. Patrick’s Festival on Saturday, 7th March. In his speech, he said, “The stories of the lives of many Irish people who have lived, loved and died in their ‘Beloved Penang’, are told affectionately in the book. Their stories are worth talking and reading about, time and again.”

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

Ireland ~ Penang: Bridging Friendships book launch

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Acknowledgements

The following have helped us in the preparation of the book and we are grateful for their contributions and assistance. The idea of writing a book on the Irish influences in Penang since 1798 came from the timeline exhibition Penang & Ireland: Friends for Generations showcased during the St. Patrick’s Festival in 2014.

Sinead Ahistrand Pederson, a committee member and Adrian Cheah from Neo Sentuhan, dedicated a great deal of their time to researching and compiling the timeline.

Adrian Cheah reveals his professionalism and talent in the design, writing, photography and publishing of this book. He gave us the initial guidance for the book and inspired us all the way. He has worked with and has been invaluable to PIA since the beginning.

Our editor, Josephine Choo for her help in creating a structure to the book, meeting our deadlines and ensuring that the book is near perfection. This is the second collaboration between us and a rewarding one...

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