The story of your life

Introduced by Maeve Binchy, LifeStory is a unique book which has been created to enable Irish families, couples and individuals to begin the process of compiling and writing their own life histories. It was launched by television and radio presenters Miriam O’Callaghan and Eamon Dunphy.
Edited by journalist John Waters, the book is divided into 21 manageable sections to help people to capture key moments in their lives from their early years and work to the sports and turning points.

Each section has its own introductory passage taken from the memoir of a celebrated Irish author or personality such as Frank O’Connor, John McGahern, Gay Byrne and Nuala O’Faolain. Each passage was selected to match the theme of the section and to inspire people of all ages on their journey of self discovery.
Another special feature seen throughout LifeStory are the first lines taken from the works of international figures such as Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama and Anne Frank. It is hoped that these first lines will encourage budding authors to start the process of recording their own life/family story. Each section also has a short list of prompts to help people to get started.
Designed by Ed Miliano, LifeStory is a beautiful clothbound book with its own slipcase and a built-in folder. The folder is fastened with a ribbon to store mementos and the book also has a ribbon marker. It is envisaged that LifeStory can be used as a gift at Christmas and other times of the year such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, christenings, birthdays, weddings and retirement gifts.
Celebrated novelist Maeve Binchy stated: “LifeStory is a book in which you and I can be the star. It is not intended for the famous but for everyone. You are the centre of the story and this book can chart the journey you are taking. It can help you to rescue the memories from a jumble into something coherent and to make sense of our lives. This book will become a family heirloom and will ensure that the extraordinary life events of ordinary people will not be forgotten.”
h4. Gift of memories
John Waters said, “From the first mark on the blank page, LifeStory will take you on a journey to tell a story like no other: your story. It will capture the detail of our lives and can be approached as a solo project or as a collaboration between family members. Ultimately, it is about sharing the priceless gift of memories with the ones you love.
“LifeStory is a book that will be a timeless and treasured gift. It can be used by the young or old: for grown ups to give to their children as a record of who they are, for children to begin writing their own stories, for friends to compare memories, for new parents to record the miracles of parenthood– it is truly a book of endless possibilities.”
In addition to purchasing a specially designed publication which has the input of some of Ireland’s most celebrated personalities and leading literary talent, people will also be raising funds for the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF). The IHF hopes to raise €250,000 from the sale of LifeStory this Christmas.
Eugene Murray, CEO of the IHF, remarked, “The IHF runs a special project every few years. Indeed, these groundbreaking ventures have become a signature of the IHF. We are grateful to all of the individuals who allowed us to use their work and who have encouraged this venture.
LifeStory offers people the guidance and inspiration that they need to delve into the official archives as well as the memories of their loves ones to capture the story of their family. The Irish have always been great story tellers. We want that rich tradition to continue.”
LifeStory is the fourth of the highly acclaimed special projects produced in recent years by the IHF. The Whoseday Book was published as a millennium diary for the year 2000. Art:pack was produced in the year 2001 and Peter and the Wolf followed in 2003. These projects raised over €4 million for the IHF and enjoyed considerable support from the Irish arts world.
The funds raised from the sale of LifeStory will support the IHF’s pioneering Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme which aims to put hospice principles into hospital practice.
This five-year initiative will give Ireland a unique opportunity to become the first EU country to introduce comprehensive standards around dying, death and bereavement in hospitals. This will ensure that consistently high standards of care are delivered to people who are dying in our hospitals.
LifeStory retails at €40 and can be purchased online through the website www.lifestory.ie or by phoning 01 8611580. It is also available from Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow, Dublin Airport and bookstores countrywide.
LifeStory is divided into 21 manageable sections: Family Story, Portraits, Early Years, Growing Up, Leaving, Friends, Loves, Animals, Places, Travel, Education, Work, Celebrations, Faith, Sport, Pastimes, Citizenship, Turning Points, Dreams, Secrets and Lists.
Each section features passages from published Irish memoirs, diaries and journals from authors like Frank O’Connor, Brian Dillon, John McGahern, Sean O’Faolain, Brian Keenan, Ferdia Mac Anna, Daniel O’Donnell, Alice Taylor, Frank McCourt, Paul Durcan, Gay Byrne, Nell McCafferty, Fiona Looney, Colm Tóibín, Micheál O’Muircheartaigh, Christy Brown, Hugo Hamilton, Bob Geldof, Christina Noble, Nuala O’Faolain and Helen Dillon.