Naas man's war book proving very popular

NAAS, 4 November 1999: by Trish Whelan. A book about the experiences of Kildaremen in both world wars has been of great interest to Kildare families both at home and abroad who would have had relations fighting or knew of people who did.

Far From the Short Grass is Naas man James Durney’s second book, and the title comes from a poem by a Naas soldier serving in the disastrous landings at Gallipoli, Thomas Doran, in which three men from the short grass died on the first day - Michael Kavanagh or Corban’s Lane, Naas; Joseph Bermingham of Dublin Road, Naas; and Michael Heffernan of Eadestown.

Some 23,000 Kildaremen served in WW1 and 567 were killed in action, the first being Patrick Heydon of Athy, a strong recruiting area for the British forces for that war.

‘Far from the Short Grass’ has a list of all men from the county killed in action. It has numerous photographs and a foreword by Kildare military historian Lieut Col Con Costello. £12.99 paperback and £19.99 hardback. Available at most bookshops in the county or direct from the author at cover price plus £3.50 p&p. Orders can be faxed to 879889 or email durneys@gofree.indigo.ie

A website dedicated to both of Mr Durney’s books can be accessed at http://gofree.indigo.ie/~durneys/

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