Donncha O'Callaghan – författare

Donncha O'Callaghan is one of Ireland's leading international rugby players, and a stalwart of the Munster side. He was a key figure in the Irish team which won the IRB 6 Nations Grand Slam in 2009, and has won two Heineken Cup medals and two Magners League titles with Munster. But that success did not come easy. For such a well known player with a larger-than-life reputation, his long battle to make a breakthrough at the highest level is largely unknown. In this honest and revealing autobiography, Donncha talks in detail about the personal setbacks and disappointments at Munster and the unconventional ways he dealt with the frustration of not making the team for four of five years in his early 20s.He had a parallel experience with Ireland where it took him nearly six years to get from fringe squad member to established first choice player. Here he talks candidly about how he brought discipline to his game, and about his relationships with the coaches who had overlooked him and the second row rivals who had kept him on the bench.Donncha talks also with great warmth about a hectic childhood that was shaped by the death of his father when he was only six years old. One of the heroes of his story is his mother Marie who showed incredible strength and resourcefulness to rear a family of five on her own.Often deservedly regarded as 'the joker in the pack', what is often less well known is the serious attitude and intensely professional approach Donncha brings to his rugby. Joking Apart gives the full picture, showing sides of the man that will be unfamiliar to followers of Irish rugby and will surprise the reader.

'At last! A book that perfectly captures the goofy kind of love that Dads have with their kids. Terrible jokes, embarrassing moments and unbridled adoration. Mums get a pass on this occasion!' - Ryan TubridyIntroducing the hilarious Disaster Dad series by Irish rugby star and media personality Donncha O'Callaghan, written with Blue Peter Book Club author Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor.When Dad decides to plan a special surprise for Mum's birthday, the house turns to chaos!Mum is going to America to visit family for a week and has left a very clear master plan for Dad, Finn and Emma to follow. But when the plan is destroyed, Dad goes rogue and starts organising a birthday surprise! From disastrous D-I-Y and cockadoodle-doo-ing cockerels to bonkers baking, this book is crammed full of chaos!This laugh-out-loud family story is sure to delight readers aged 7+, and is perfect for fans of Dermot O'Leary, Jeremy Strong and Pamela Butchart.

'At last! A book that perfectly captures the goofy kind of love that Dads have with their kids. Terrible jokes, embarrassing moments and unbridled adoration. Mums get a pass on this occasion!' - Ryan TubridyIntroducing the hilarious Disaster Dad series by Irish rugby star and media personality Donncha O'Callaghan, written with Blue Peter Book Club author Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor.When Dad decides to plan a special surprise for Mum's birthday, the house turns to chaos!Mum is going to America to visit family for a week and has left a very clear master plan for Dad, Finn and Emma to follow. But when the plan is destroyed, Dad goes rogue and starts organising a birthday surprise! From disastrous D-I-Y and cockadoodle-doo-ing cockerels to bonkers baking, this book is crammed full of chaos!This laugh-out-loud family story is sure to delight readers aged 7+, and is perfect for fans of Dermot O'Leary, Jeremy Strong and Pamela Butchart.

'Donncha is back with another dad-sized dollop of disaster! Jam-packed with delicious doughnuts, wind-borne wellies and supermodel mutts, this chronicle of calamity is fantastic fun for all the family ... and their dog!' - Alan Nolan, author of the Molly and Bram seriesIrish rugby star and media personality Donncha O'Callaghan is back with another laugh-out-loud family story, written with Blue Peter Book Club author Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor.When Finn, Emma, Dad and Mum participate in a family fun day to raise money for charity, their competitive nature is revealed!When the family discover that Dad's arch-rival is also competing in the family fun day, Dad is determined to win! With a welly-throwing competition, wacky races and a talent show to prepare for, the family are on a strict NO DOUGHNUTS diet and training regime. But will their efforts be enough to win the prize?Full of mishaps and chaos, this hilarious story is sure to delight all readers aged 7+, and is perfect for fans of Dermot O'Leary, Jeremy Strong and Pamela Butchart.Also available - Disaster Dad: Chicken Chaos.'Even sillier than the reddest pair of underpants, this is packed with action, antics and the groaniest of dad jokes' - Shane Hegarty, author of the Boot series

'Even sillier than the reddest pair of underpants, this is packed with action, antics and the groaniest of dad jokes' - Shane Hegarty, author of the Boot series'Donncha is back with another dad-sized dollop of disaster! Jam-packed with delicious doughnuts, wind-borne wellies and supermodel mutts, this chronicle of calamity is fantastic fun for all the family ... and their dog!' - Alan Nolan, author of the Molly and Bram seriesIrish rugby star and media personality Donncha O'Callaghan is back with another laugh-out-loud family story, written with Blue Peter Book Club author Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor.When Finn, Emma, Dad and Mum participate in a family fun day to raise money for charity, their competitive nature is revealed!When the family discover that Dad's arch-rival is also competing in the family fun day, Dad is determined to win! With a welly-throwing competition, wacky races and a talent show to prepare for, the family are on a strict NO DOUGHNUTS diet and training regime. But will their efforts be enough to win the prize?Full of mishaps and chaos, this hilarious story is sure to delight all readers aged 7+, and is perfect for fans of Dermot O'Leary, Jeremy Strong and Pamela Butchart.Also available - Disaster Dad: Chicken Chaos.

Disaster Dad is back, and this time he's heading to the wildlife park with Finn, Emma and their whole class!Dad has one mission: snap the perfect photo with the new baby giraffe and get it named after him. Easy, right? Not when Disaster Dad's involved!Can Finn and Emma keep him out of trouble long enough to meet the giraffe?Packed with laughs, animal antics and one very determined dad, this is a roaring adventure for readers aged 7+ who love mischief, mayhem, and a whole lot of heart.

''At last! A book that perfectly captures the goofy kind of love that Dads have with their kids. Terrible jokes, embarrassing moments and unbridled adoration. Mums get a pass on this occasion!'' - Ryan TubridyIntroducing the hilarious Disaster Dad series by Irish rugby star and media personality Donncha O''Callaghan, written with Blue Peter Book Club author Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor.When Dad decides to plan a special surprise for Mum''s birthday, the house turns to chaos!Mum is going to America to visit family for a week and has left a very clear master plan for Dad, Finn and Emma to follow. But when the plan is destroyed, Dad goes rogue and starts organising a birthday surprise! From disastrous D-I-Y and cockadoodle-doo-ing cockerels to bonkers baking, this book is crammed full of chaos!This laugh-out-loud family story is sure to delight readers aged 7+, and is perfect for fans of Dermot O''Leary, Jeremy Strong and Pamela Butchart.

'Even sillier than the reddest pair of underpants, this is packed with action, antics and the groaniest of dad jokes' - Shane Hegarty, author of the Boot series'Donncha is back with another dad-sized dollop of disaster! Jam-packed with delicious doughnuts, wind-borne wellies and supermodel mutts, this chronicle of calamity is fantastic fun for all the family ... and their dog!' - Alan Nolan, author of the Molly and Bram seriesIrish rugby star and media personality Donncha O'Callaghan is back with another laugh-out-loud family story, written with Blue Peter Book Club author Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor.When Finn, Emma, Dad and Mum participate in a family fun day to raise money for charity, their competitive nature is revealed!When the family discover that Dad's arch-rival is also competing in the family fun day, Dad is determined to win! With a welly-throwing competition, wacky races and a talent show to prepare for, the family are on a strict NO DOUGHNUTS diet and training regime. But will their efforts be enough to win the prize?Full of mishaps and chaos, this hilarious story is sure to delight all readers aged 7+, and is perfect for fans of Dermot O'Leary, Jeremy Strong and Pamela Butchart.Also available - Disaster Dad: Chicken Chaos.