My first thanks – as always – go to my wife without whom none of this would be possible. There isn’t room for moping if you live with Kerry Lyons – every minute has to be appreciated. She’s an inspiration every day.
This book is dedicated to our daughter Lola. Within it, I hope to teach her a valuable lesson: see what happens when little girls don’t stay by their daddy’s side forever? You’re never leaving home, Lo. But don’t worry; we live with somebody who won’t let us mope.
I’d also like to extend a thank you to my ma, Joan, and my sister, Debra, for no fucking reason whatsoever once again. I’ve started thanking them in acknowledgements and I guess that needs to continue for tradition’s sake.
A huge thanks goes to Barry O’Hanlon and Hannah Healy who helped me refine this book as I was writing it. And also to Margaret Lyons, Rubina Gomes and Livia Sbrabaro who read very early drafts and offered fantastic constructive notes. I’d also like to mention the great Andrew Barrett who has helped me through my journey in more ways than his humbleness will allow him to admit.
Thank you also to Niamh Mehigan who provided me with great research insight into Gordon’s medical condition. I appreciate you giving up your time to help me.
And to my editor, Maureen Vincent-Northam, who dotted the Is and crossed the Ts with her razor-sharp eye.