About the Author

Rights: World
0-86327-901-5
€9.99

The Journeyman
A Builder’s Life
Billy French

"Billy’s intriguing book gives us a rare picture of Dublin as a growing town soon to become the capital city we know today. His heart-warming memories and experiences bring to life Dublin as it used to be in ‘the rare ould times’."

Growing up in Dublin wasn't easy in the 1940's but having a family trade helped. Billy French talks us through his journey from boy apprentice builder to man about town journeyman and finally an Inspector of brick-laying in local government. His stories are full of colourful characters including Christy Brown and family, Brendan Behan, Noel Purcell, Patrick Kavanagh, Mick McCarthy and his infamous Embankment pub and of course Luke Kelly and the Dubliners.

This fascinating life story gives us a rare picture of Dublin as a growing town soon to become the capital city we know today and the people that made this possible.