O'Hara : a Lucky Irish Lad and the Last of the Donkey Pilgrims. Presented by the Friends of the Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library -- Nov. 18

Kevin O'Hara : a Lucky Irish Lad and the Last of the Donkey Pilgrims. Presented by the Friends of the Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library. Monday, Nov. 18, 7:30 pm. Free and open to all, with a book signing and reception following. Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library, 179 Main Street, Charlestown, MA 02129. For more information: 617-242-1248, www.bpl.org/branches/charlestown.htm.

Kevin O’Hara, a writer, storyteller, and photographer, has written two memoirs, Last of the Donkey Pilgrims: a Man's Journey Through Ireland, and the more recent A Lucky Irish Lad. One of eight children, his parents were born in Ireland and came to this country for a better life. O'Hara grew up in Massachusetts in the 50's and 60's, but he is one of those individuals who was determined to go back to his roots in an effort to discover who his people were who helped shape his life.

In the late 70's, O'Hara's journey back to Ireland began as a mad lark: circling the entire coastline of Ireland walking alongside a donkey and cart. On his unforgettable journey, O'Hara meets some of the more colorful examples of Irish wit, humor, (and temper), and through adversity, sheer folly, and some joy, he finds out just the sort of fellow he’d become ... and the man he could be.

O'Hara will be giving a powerpoint presentation -- a pictorial tour -- of his donkey travels through Ireland. Recordings of O'Hara's readings can be found at www.kevin-ohara.com/extras.htm.

Further background information:

Kevin O'Hara, winner of the 2012 John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Award, has read his homespun stories on numerous TV and radio stations, in addition to appearing at countless libraries, colleges, and Irish pubs throughout New England. His Last of the Donkey Pilgrims is an autobiographic telling of his travels around the coastland of Ireland with his beloved donkey Missy. O'Hara is also the author of  A Lucky Irish Lad, where he shares tales of how he learned the lessons of making do and making things last, and what the true riches of the world are: good health and the love of a united family. All these lessons grounded him as he reached adulthood … and was sent off to fight in the wilds of Vietnam as a reluctant solider. O'Hara still resides in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the place to which his parents emigrated. More information on the author can be found at www.kevin-ohara.com/author.htm.