Later in Life Literary Debut: Eamon O’Leary’s “I’m A Big Boy Now” Takes Readers on a Journey to a Bygone Era

At 72, Eamon O’Leary has achieved a dream many hold dear—publishing his first book. His charming memoir, “I’m A Big Boy Now,” offers a nostalgic look at an Irish childhood in the late 1950s and 1960s, a time of simple pleasures, carefree adventure, and close-knit communities.

The book is a four-part journey, taking readers from Dublin to Kerry, Roscommon to Cork, through the eyes of a young boy experiencing the world for the first time.

A World Without Smartphones and Endless News

O’Leary paints a vivid picture of a world before the internet, smartphones, and constant news cycles. It’s a time of quiet peacefulness, where children gathered with friends, played outside for hours, and found adventure in their imaginations.

“Imagine a world before the internet. Before smartphones. Before a hundred channels on a flat-screen TV, and a round-the-clock news cycle pumping out endless, depressing stories.

Imagine a world that quiet. That peaceful. That completely different from the here and now.

In “I’m A Big Boy Now, I’ll take you into that world…”

He chronicles his own adventures, from encounters with mischief and mayhem to the “dreaded Lesson About Girls,” all through the lens of a young boy navigating boyhood, family, and the world around him.

From Short Stories to a Memoir

O’Leary’s passion for writing blossomed after retirement. Inspired by the scenic walks he took from Carrigaline to Crosshaven, he started jotting down stories.

Despite an admitted lack of formal training in English, O’Leary’s stories have caught the attention of editors both in Ireland and internationally. He even won an international competition with his dark short story, “No Answer.”

“The first seed is usually sown when I’m out walking the amenity walk from Carrigaline to Crosshaven. After germinating, the story can rattle around my head for weeks before it’s time to get it on my computer.

” And then the torture begins. I’m not able to type and it’s agony using, at snail’s pace, the two-finger method of typing. Punctuation is always a problem!

An Irish Memoir for Every Generation

“I’m A Big Boy Now” is a heartwarming and humorous reminder of simpler times, a celebration of childhood, friendship, and the magic of discovery.

O’Leary hopes the book will resonate with readers of all ages, sparking nostalgia and joy in those who remember that era and opening a window into a bygone world for younger generations.

Where to Buy:

“I’m A Big Boy Now” is available on Amazon and locally at Carrigaline Bookshop, Kinsale Books, Kenmare Books, and Vibes and Scribes in Cork City.