Brendan Martin launches his new book 'Wanderling' in the Annebrook

Mullingar man Brendan Martin held a book launch for his book ‘Wanderling’, in a packed out Old House in the Annebrook Hotel on Thursday last, May 29.

Brendan is a member of the inklings writing group in Mullingar, which has helped launched the careers of writers including Lorraine Murphy and Tony Viney.

Brendan has been a writer since the 1970s, regularly contributing to Inklings, and has completed a large collection of work since then.

Originally from Mullingar, Brendan lived and worked in Dublin for 30 years, before returning with his family in 2003.

Brendan’s new book ‘Wanderling’ is a collection of short stories, which reflect on his life and his writing.

Speaking at his book launch, Brendan said: “I just don’t know what to say… thank you all for coming out on such a wet night.

“You obviously had nothing better to be doing, you could have been doing the laundry at home at the very least.

“This book is nearly 40 years in the making, it’s been sitting at home gathering dust in several notebooks and on shelves.”

Liam Manning, also a member of the Inklings writing group said: “Brendan enthrals us, with his poetry drawn from his imagination, from his insights into life in general and what’s going on in the world around him.”