Hugh Oram – författare

The Little Book of Stillorgan is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about this vibrant suburb of Dublin. This book takes the reader on a journey through Stillorgan and its vibrant past. Here you will discover Stillorgan’s rural past, its famous sons and daughters, its churches, pubs, shops and schools, its industries and sporting heritage and its natural history. You will also glimpse a darker side to Stillorgan with a look at crime and unrest in the district. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of this south Dublin suburb.

Drogheda is a most fascinating medieval town in Ireland, with many of its medieval walls and town gates still intact. Its history goes back 1,000 years and embraces such events as Cromwell's massacre of many of its inhabitants in the mid-seventeenth century. During the past 200 years, Drogheda has developed many industries, including linen making and brewing. The town has also produced many distinguished citizens, including Dr T.K. Whittaker, the Irish economist who was brought up in the town.The development of the port and of the railway through the town have also been significant. In recent years, the addition of many modern facilities as Drogheda has expanded to a population of nearly 100,000, has added to the town's amenities.

This book contains all the blogs that Hugh Oram has written over the twelve months, from November 2012 to November 2013. In these blogs, he has commented on many tourism topics in France and social, political, and economic trends, as well as the fashions and happenings of the moment. He hasnt excluded happenings in Ireland, where he and his wife live, and elsewhere in the world.

Charmers and Chancers tells the stories about the many famous and infamous people whom Ive met and often interviewed during my fifty-year media career. It also includes a lot of personal and family history.

On Our Way details the many trips throughout Europe made over the years by Hugh Oram and his wife, Bernadette. During their travels, they have visited practically every country in Western Europe, as well as countries in Central and Eastern Europe such as Poland. Memorably, Hugh was in Prague in August 1968, shortly before the Soviet-led invasion of what was then Czechoslovakia. The two trips he made to Pragueone just before the invasion in 1968 and another in the aftermath in 1969were among the most memorable he has done. Other outstanding trips done by Hugh and his wife have included one to Poland, as well as trips to Greece, Spain, and Portugal, shortly after democracy was restored in each of those countries.The country that they have done the most explorations in is France, where over the years, they have visited practically every part of the country, including numerous visits to Paris. Hugh considers that he knows the map of Paris as well as the map of the city where he lives, Dublin.In the course of his journalism and radio work, Hugh has also visited every corner of IrelandNorth and Southand has got to know well every city and town, as well as many villages. During these travels, he has gained many insights into Irelands culture and unique history.

Bernadettes Book is the story of a dynamic Irishwoman with a great story to tell. Bernadette comes from a fascinating family background, in Dublin and in Thurles, Co Tipperary. The book tells of her early days growing up in a Dublin that was radically different from the present day city. It narrates her career, which was spent entirely in the Irish foreign service, at the headquarters of what is now the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and tells of the many world dignitaries she met, from John F. Kennedy to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. The book also details her marriage to Hugh Oram-theyve now been married for 45 years-and all the travel and other adventures theyve had together. Bernadette is a truly remarkable woman and this is her story.

Did You Know?Blackrock was known as Newtown until the early seventeenth century, when its name was changed. The old name lives on in Newtownpark. Blackrock railway station, opened in late 1834, was a stop on the world’s first commuter railway line. The whole village of Williamstown was shifted from one side of the Rock Road to the other in 1909 to facilitate expansion at Blackrock College. Blackrock is a noted residential area on Dublin’s south side, close to Dublin Bay. Once a small fishing village, its modern streets are lined with centuries of historical interest, from old houses and churches to one of the oldest roads in the country.From schooldays to sporting greats, a host of famous people have had their beginnings here. Éamon de Valera, Seamus Heaney and Bob Geldof have all taught at various academic institutions in the area, and Brian O’Driscoll learned to play rugby at Blackrock College.A reliable reference and handy guide to Blackrock’s past, The Little Book of Blackrock book can be dipped into time and again to reveal something new about the people, heritage and secrets of this vibrant suburb.

Did You Know?Dalkey Island, which owes its name to the Vikings, has been uninhabited for the past two centuries – apart from a herd of wild goats. The Atmospheric Railway ran from Dalkey to Dún Laoghaire harbor, and was the first vacuum railway in the world. Killiney Hill is part of a public park that was opened in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s jubilee. Discover a delightful and unspoiled seaside village through this fact-packed compendium. Renowned for its castle, book festival and nearby island, Dalkey and neighbouring Killiney Hill Park have plenty of special places to find and history to uncover.A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, The Little Book of Dalkey and Killiney can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of this charming coastal area.