A Valentine's evening with a difference in Ballymahon

A distinguished contributor to social commentary in Ireland, Mr Lonergan has frequently been described as a born storyteller.

BVS Deputy Principal, Ms Siobhan Cullen, said they were delighted to extend a warm welcome to John as he joins their school community for a series of student workshops and a talk for parents and guardians.

Mr Lonergan will be presenting a talk entitled ‘Parenting - the Challenges and the Rewards’, where the focus will be on constructive communication and exploring how to build a more positive and affirming relationship with teenagers.

Mr Lonergan entered the prison service in 1968 and in the years that followed, he saw human nature at its worst - and often, unexpectedly, at its best.

In what is a reflective and awareness raising look at parenting, he never fails to engage his audience with plenty of humour and self-deprecation, as he shares his stories on the ‘demanding, challenging, responsible, complicated and never-ending’ job of parenting.

Mr Lonergan has put his philosophy of parenting into a book, “Parenting: Raising Your Child in Ireland Today”, with all royalties going to Barnardos.

It focuses on the pre-teen and teen years but it is recommended that the communicative approach he advocates should really start ‘the day the baby is born’.

So forget about the Valentine’s candlelit dinners, chocolates and flowers, all Ballymahon Vocational School parents and guardians are encouraged to attend what promises to be a stimulating and thought provoking talk with John Lonergan on Thursday, February 14 at 7.15pm.