Nationally known disability activist and community campaigner Comrade Dermot Hayes is about to publish his memoirs under the title ‘The Road That Rises – a memoir by Dermot Hayes, a boy from Kells’.
Like many activists and volunteers, Dermot is a force of nature.
He calls all his friends ‘Comrade’ and has been active for decades in youth work, community groups, LEADER projects, trade unions, worker co-ops, environmental causes, and disability rights.
Dermot lives in Ennis, Co. Clare, and is known for volunteering, advocating and campaigning for human rights, in particular with the Independent Living Movement in Ireland.
He spent the last year writing his memoirs with the aid of well-known ghostwriter Breda Shannon.
“I have been immersed in the local, national and international movement for over thirty years. During this time, I founded, co-founded and headed organisations to represent, campaign and progress rights for people with disabilities,” he says.
“The book explores and documents my life as a child growing up in Kells, Corofin, County Clare and through to my years as an activist and campaigner across many causes over seven decades,” says Dermot.
The book will be launched at 6pm, on March 4, by Andrea Barry and Patrick McCormack in St. Patrick’s Hall, Corofin, Co. Clare.
All profits from ‘The Road that Rises’ will be donated to two causes: the Clare Leader Forum and the Corofin Hall and Field Fund. You can buy the book in Clare shops. If living outside Co. Clare, contact Dermot on Twitter: @HayesEnnis
