Longford author John Connell to launch The Cow Book in USA

John Connell is a very well known personality in Longford since the launch of his bestselling memoir, The Cow Book, in March 2018.

Since then, he's been travelling the country giving talks on farming and mental health; he's been an ambassador for Movember, has travelled to Australia to promote his book, and has just been announced as Longford's first Literary Ambassador ahead of the county's inaugural Literary Month, which takes place in May.

But the next big thing for John is the launch of his book, The Farmer's Son, in America on May 9.

“It’s called The Farmer’s Son and is the same book but under a new title,” John told the Longford Leader.

“The official launch will be by Paul Muldoon, the poet and Pulitzer Prize winner.

“It’s just a dream come true. I’ll be going over there and doing some interviews in Los Angeles and New York.

“It’s a very exciting time. It’s exciting to have a book be launched in America and have such a prominent figure launch it.”

Also read: My Longford Life: Mental health advocate Shane Reid

So far, the reviews have been very good in the US, with a lot of farmers in the midwest showing particular interest in The Farmer's Son. The Farmer's Son will be launched at the Irish American Historical Society in New York at 6.30pm on Thursday, May 9.

“There’s such a big Irish community living in New York and signs are pointing to it being well received. My wife has a good feeling about it too,” said John.

“As a writer, that’s what you dream about - having a book out in America. I’d love to see as many Longford people in New York there as possible.”