‘Appello Grabs the Headlines’ by Ivor Casey

IN late 2012 I established Appello Press as the means in which to self publish my own book, Elvis and Ireland and to subsequently continue as a publishing house, with an aim to support young aspiring Irish writers. Appello Press is completely independent, without any financial backing beyond my own financial input. It was purely established out of a love of literature and from an understanding of how many writers with tremendous passion and integrity often get overlooked in the business.

Appello Press has spent its first two years in operation promoting its very first work Elvis and Ireland, written by myself, and has managed to grab some significant headlines. Elvis and Ireland has earned rave reviews from journalists around the country with features by Eamonn McCann in Hot Press and Barry Egan in The Sunday Independent as well as substantial and positive features in Cork’s The Evening Echo and Southern Star, The Westmeath Independent, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Southside People, The Donegal Democrat and Waterford Today. Release of this book has also spread to hardcopy and online publications in Britain, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Memphis and New York. Elvis and Ireland has gained widespread attention through shows such as RTE’s The Ryan Tubridy Show, The Ronan Collins Show and The Late Date. As a first time author, I was also fortunate to secure appearances on TV3’s The Morning Show, Newstalk FM’s Sean Moncrieff show, RTE’s The Mooney Show, Radio Nova, Dublin South FM, Dublin City FM, LMFM, Midlands 103 FM’s Art Show and Spain’s iTalk FM.

Elvis and Ireland received its official launch in May 2013 with the book being launched and endorsed by Barry Devlin of legendary Celtic Rock Group ‘Horslips’ who called it “a terrific read with fascinating research”. Also, in attendance at the launch was artist, writer and broadcaster Don Conroy, Hollywood animator and director Jimmy Murakami, documentary maker Sé Merry Doyle and art curator Tony Strickland. International superstar Bono of U2, in a separate meeting with myself, gave his thumbs up for the book stating that he was “delighted to be part of the whole thing”. Appello Press has worked vigorously to secure publicity and widespread attention for its first publication and plans to work with the same tenacity on all its future projects.

A new and début poetry collection published by Appello Press, entitled Photons by Dalkey writer Peter Donnelly was officially launched in April 2014 by author and playwright, Professor Frank McGuinness. The launch took place at the UCD Campus Bookshop with a large crowd including poet Harry Clifton all out to greet the author and join in the support for the publication. Photons is noteworthy for including the first ever English translation of Dante’s Canto X, which gained the book a mention in the lecture halls of the City University of New York. Recognised for his significant talents, Peter Donnelly’s poetry collection has also been specially selected for the UCD James Joyce Library Special Collections, where Appello Press is proud to see a first edition of Photons sit among the first editions of works by legendary greats such as W.B. Yeats.

During his speech, McGuinness stated, “What dexterity of meters there is in it, what splendid sensitivity to the strange changes of the natural world. What sheer delight in the diversity of themes and the diversity of tones, giving this verse its voice, a voice that is already sounding its sureness of identity. A voice capable of characterising its deeper self and finding in that depth much to fear and much to identify”.

Appello Press has worked determinedly to secure attention for Photons, with achievements including front page coverage on the Dun Laoghaire Gazette, a feature in the Southside and Northside People and the Westmeath Independent, as well as the surprisingly difficult to enter, Dalkey Community News. Peter was featured as a guest on ‘Bookbound’ with Paul O’Doherty on Dublin City FM and has had reviews and features on Headstuff.org and Writing.ie. Appello recorded and edited a video of the book launch, which is available to view on YouTube for publicity and posterity. We also captured and produced a wide variety of photographs from the launch, and another reading and signing at the Dalkey Ladies Club, all adding to the publicity and posterity which places the author and their work on a platform.

As was the case with Elvis and Ireland every major arts programme and journal was pursued, with all press releases highlighting the special and original angles of these books and the authors behind them, as well as the ambition of Appello Press to make a stand in supporting young, aspiring talents who exhibit unique qualities.

In addition to the impassioned task of gaining vital media coverage to raise awareness for the authors and their books, is the attempt to get bookshops to stock the publications. In usual circumstances the publications of an independent publisher would be placed last for consideration and in many cases be rejected because of not being listed with wholesalers. Nonetheless, as was the case of securing publicity, Appello worked arduously to have Elvis and Ireland stocked with Easons, Ireland’s largest wholesaler and bookshop chain. Other independent stores who showed their support to an independent publisher included Tower Records, Celtic Note, Coleman Quirke and in the case of Photons and with the help of its author, Books Upstairs, The Company of Books and the UCD Campus Bookshop. Both Elvis and Ireland and Photons are available to buy on Amazon online stores across the world (See links below).

Appello Press hopes to continue as a means to support new, aspiring and upcoming talent. In addition Appello Press has now branched into self publishing in which people can hire our services to make their dreams become a reality. Appello has also now begun to focus on digital marketing and with the previous successes with promotion, such as achieving a 4,000 plus Facebook following for Elvis and Ireland, intends to grow and expand in this area. So far Appello has successfully helped visual artists with their exhibitions, as well as setting out a profile and beginning their platform in the art world. For more information keep an eye on our ‘Digital Marketing’ section at www.appellopress.com

“Elvis and Ireland” is available across the world from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format and can also be purchased through America’s Barnes and Noble online store. (RRP€14.99)

“Photons” is available across the world from Amazon in paperback and can also be purchased through America’s Barnes and Noble online store.

• Ivor Casey

‘The Midland’s Misplaced Momentous’ by Ivor Casey

WHILE the midlands has often become a side stepped region throughout Ireland, its history has included important developments in the name of The Quakers, who spear-headed production in Co. Offaly and Co. Westmeath. It was firstly in Moate, Co. Westmeath where the progression of this community began to flourish and see the earliest advancements in rural Ireland over three and a half centuries ago.

When George Fox founded ‘The Society Of Friends’ or ‘Quakers’ over 350 years ago, the Westmeath town of Moate soon became a centre-point for its followers. Fox had set up this new way of life in the wake of the Counter Reformation, having become disillusioned with religious life at the time. He felt churches had become swamped with traditions, rituals and power politics. The main objective of Quakerism was to take care of the poor and provide for widows and the fatherless. It was ensured that all members practised justice, equity and consolation. Quakers were tolerant in allowing people pursue, without criticism, whatever he or she was interested in.

Moate Castle, Moate, Co. Westmeath (Photo: Ivor Casey)

Moate was first introduced to this ‘Society Of Friends’ in 1658 by a Scottish soldier named William Edmundson, who had already made converts in Co. Antrim. Locals became intrigued by the Quaker lifestyle when Edmundson held a meeting in Ballykilroe and the first ‘meeting house’ was located at Toorphelim. Followers included John Clibborn who eventually had meetings transferred to his home, Moate Castle, which he came into possession of in 1656. It was the town of Moate where distant visitors, which included Americans, would come to, in search of information about Quakers in Ireland and nearby countries. From here, Quakerism extended to neighbouring counties such as Offaly. With the increasing numbers of friends, local, provincial and national meeting houses were erected in Ireland.

The Midlands Quakers were a most ambitious and productive people, establishing small industries and becoming heavily involved in farming and founded agricultural shows. Some of their factories included woollen and linen mills, brick and tile factories, a tannery and a felt making factory. They were also involved in banking, engineering and shipbuilding as well as producing jams, biscuits and tobacco and the famous Bewleys cafes. A major Quaker run factory was the Goodbody factory in Clara, Co. Offaly which was a flour mill and jute processor.

One particular resourceful Quaker was Dr. Edward Bewley (1806 – 1876), a Medical Doctor and Agriculturist who set up his practice in Moate in 1830. One area he was most keen on was the advancement of farming methods and he became a member of the Agricultural Society of Ireland. He set up a branch of this organisation in Moate which lead to the formation of ploughing matches, farming lectures, an agricultural college and an agricultural show. Dr. Bewley was elected President of the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland in 1841. His benevolence could be seen during the famine as he was a founding member of the Moate Soup Kitchen. His son Sir Edmund Thomas Bewley (1837 – 1908) was born in Moate and later became a Professor of Law in Trinity College and a Supreme Court Judge.

Quaker Cemetary Gates, Moate, Co. Westmeath (Photo: Ivor Casey)

Quaker Cemetary Headstones, Moate, Co. Westmeath (Photo: Ivor Casey)

The Quakers are still very much in existence, with meeting houses all around the country. However, other than one active meeting house in Edenderry in Co. Offaly at present and none in Co. Westmeath, the midlands have lost a symbol of their prosperity. Today, the diminutive remains of a Quaker meeting house can be seen in the grounds of Moate Castle. It was ordered to be demolished in 1921 by the Quaker’s ‘Dublin Meeting’, to avoid misuse when the number of Quakers reduced in the area and the house became empty. There is also the remains of a Quaker graveyard on the same property but this is also gradually disintegrating, despite the best attempts of the local Historical Society to preserve it.

With its worsening condition through vandalism and the more natural overgrowth of weeds, briers and nettles, an important attribute of the rural Ireland’s aspirations has been left aside. While some midlanders today can finally celebrate the progression of sending one of its sons to lead the country, failure has supervened in preserving the memory of a noble people. With Moate Castle having recently been put up for sale, with the Quaker graveyard on the property, there is further uncertainty as to the future of this essential landmark of the Quaker’s memory in Moate.

Nonetheless, it is the legacy of ‘The Quakers’ which historians continue to bring forward and with the special anniversary year that is now, it is important that tribute is paid to the symbols of ambition and prosperity which once made Moate, and the midlands, a thriving region.

– Ivor Casey

(Amended from article by Ivor Casey which first appeared in the Westmeath Independent and Ireland’s Own)

‘Elvis is Dead, Long live the King’ by Ivor Casey

FOR me, aged 13 in 1997, discovering Elvis Presley was like being introduced to a whole new world: a world away from image victimisation and frivolous performers. It was the discovery that music once meant something and there was a time when singers with heart and soul were the most successful in the business. Being a modern day teenager in a society that’s intolerant of individualism made it tough to be a fan of a dead singer. While this did distance me from some, Presley’s rise educated me about having passion for what one truly believes in and his downfall made me aware of the emotionally strenuous aspects of life.

A chance encounter with the flood of TV tributes on the 20th anniversary of his death engrossed me like nothing had ever done before. His song Always On My Mind was a major hit in Ireland at the time and it was the song’s meaning that drew me to Presley. Through it, I was first introduced to the poignant story of Elvis’s later years. That song described a man regretting how he had ruined a relationship. It was recorded after Presley’s divorce in 1972 and subsequently his life began to spiral downhill until his untimely death in 1977. Singing songs of solitude and despondency to the end, he related his own pathos in the music.

While many are aware of how he contributed to his own decline, it is harder to comprehend why he couldn’t help himself. I wanted to understand why a man with such talent and success became so self destructive. Presley was the world’s first superstar and he had nobody to take guidance from. Others can now learn from Presley’s mistakes but he took the bashing as he made the first moves. Unfortunately, nobody can save their own life once they have lost faith in living. Being a compassionate and sensitive man, suffering from depression and having achieved everything one man can comprehend, Elvis really didn’t have too much more to reach for. And some of his goals and ambitions could not be achieved because of the mysterious control his manager had over him. There is the image of the “drug abuser” or, more truthfully, Presley’s biological addiction to prescription medicine: in today’s world, he would be seen as a victim rather than an abuser.

Presley was a massive phenomenon and it took me time to realise the unique abilities behind his superior singing voice. Emotionally void art snobs bemoaned the fact that he didn’t write songs, but I set out to discover something more important than the ability to write lyrics. I discovered that from the time Elvis made his first recording in the summer of 1953, he used natural empathy to bring out the meaning in a song. Elvis embodied the most important human characteristic: feeling. His method of interpreting a song was inspirational. That was the genius of Presley. As our own Irish legend Bono stated, “Elvis had the wisdom that makes wise men look foolish”.

Some people have the impertinence to compare this timeless icon to today’s fabricated pop stars. No pop stars will ever last over 50 years or equal his charisma, vocal range and the fact he founded a musical style that changed world cultures. Some claim he stole black music but I dare those to challenge the accurate belief of soul god James Brown, who explained, “Elvis wasn’t copying. He found his own style”.

Later, Elvis did lose touch with his roots but his raw energetic presence is still available to be heard. His is the story of a man who used fortitude to break down the barriers of racist and conservative societies. Once you look past all the unsavoury stereotypes, Elvis Presley was a regular man who was gifted enough to make a teenager from an entirely different generation realise the meaning of music and how it is an essential part of life.

– Ivor Casey

(Ammended from article by Ivor Casey first published in ‘The Sunday Independent’, 17 August, 2003)

Elvis and Ireland by Ivor Casey

Elvis and Ireland is the “Irish Biography” of Elvis Presley. It is the detailed story of Elvis Presley’s life and career, combined with a timeline of events in Irish popular culture and the social changes brought on by his unique brand of rock ‘n’ roll.

What you will find here is just about everything to do with Elvis and his links with Ireland including anecdotes, entertaining trivia on Elvis’s connection with Ireland, his Irish chart successes, as well as areas of censorship. You will also learn about Irish songs he covered and Irish singers who covered his work. Find out what many Irish personalities have to say about Elvis, as well as what was said about the star from the Dáil to the pulpit.

Elvis and Ireland focuses on how Irish artists used Elvis and American popular culture for their own artistic efforts, from Ireland’s earliest showbands and beat-groups to the rock legends Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott and Bono. It covers several decades of Irish popular music without ever losing track of Elvis’s story. In brief this book is a view of Elvis Presley through Irish eyes.

Elvis and Ireland brings together the story of the global superstar from his birth to his untimely death, picking up the Irish connections along the way. To add a further Irish dimension, the book also features artwork of Elvis by three famous Irish artists. All music fans, and not just the Irish ones, will find this an exhilarating journey through the career of the universal music icon.

“Hundreds of Elvis books already exist but rarely does a new Elvis book have something to say from a totally different cultural stand point”

Elvis and Ireland is authored by Ivor Casey who has worked as a freelance journalist throughout Ireland for the past 10 years. Ivor also has a BA(Hons) in English, Media and Cultural Studies. For other Elvis Presley related posts by Ivor Casey click here: Elvis is dead, Long Live The King and Elvis and virtually no Suspicious Minds

Order through your closest Amazon shop below:
Amazon UK
Amazon USA
Amazon France
Amazon Germany
Amazon Spain
Amazon Italy

• Ivor Casey