Some of the world’s best known men including President Bill Clinton, actor Gabriel Byrne and all of the members of rock group U2 are part of a special new Irish Hospice Foundation book celebrating the unique relationship between sons and fathers.
The Irish Hospice Foundation is a national charity dedicated to all matters relating to dying, death and bereavement in Ireland.
International writers, actors, artists, musicians, politicians and entrepreneurs make up the star-studded cast contributing to "Sons+Fathers," which will be published later this year to coincide with Father’s Day.
The global book of words and images was inspired by U2 lead singer Bono who donated tender drawings he made of his father towards the end of his life. These formed the foundation of this remarkable anthology of personal contributions.
While the words and images are mainly of the fathers they are also revealing about the authors, their sons. There is a powerful introduction to the book from Irish writer Colm Tóibín.
The brilliant cast from the world of film and stage who are contributing includes: John Boorman; Daniel Day-Lewis; Gabriel Byrne; Neil Jordan; Paul Cusack and Colin Farrell. Musicians include all of the members of U2, the band’s former manager Paul McGuinness and his son Max; Paul McCartney; Bob Geldof; Julian Lennon, and Gavin Friday. Writers include John Banville; Roddy Doyle; Robert Fisk; Paul Auster; Mick Heaney; Colum McCann; Joseph O’Connor and Salman Rushdie. From the political world there are contributions from President Clinton, Alastair Campbell and Bobby Shriver.
Irish Hospice Foundation CEO Sharon Foley said the book is a compelling mix of words and images from the world’s most famous men which explores the unique bond that exists between sons and fathers.
“Bono planted the seed for this book with his generous gift of the drawing he made of his father when he was dying. He asked if they could be used to raise money for The Irish Hospice Foundation, so we decided on a book, and the net was cast wide and far. We were blown away by the response and generosity of the participants, all who are very busy, well-known people.”
The proceeds of the book will go towards The Irish Hospice Foundation’s Nurses for Night Care Programme, a service which provides over 1,400 nights of free nursing care at home annually to people with a non-malignant terminal illness.
Part of the proceeds will also go towards Hospice Africa Uganda founded by the inspirational 2014 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Anne Merriman who did her medical training in Dublin.
Ms Foley said the IHF believes everyone has the right to a good death and that includes access to excellent palliative care. “It should be available to anyone with an incurable illness regardless of age and condition in a hospice, at home or a residential care setting. The proceeds from the book will help us in our mission.”
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