Come along to New Ross Library for the launch of More Precious than Gold by Alice O'Neill Loughlin.

Alice will give a talk that traces her enduring connection with the Irish-American philanthropist, John McShain, the man, who, as a builder extraordinaire, was responsible for such iconic edifices as the Jefferson Memorial and the Pentagon and was essentially, the man who built Washington.

Alice will also be signing copies of her book on the night, so join us for what should be a very interesting evening in New Ross Library.

The book is a loving testimonial, honouring an Irish woman’s unique connection with the American building contractor and philanthropist, John McShain (1898-1989).  In 1978, Alice O’Neill, an eighteen year old girl sitting her Leaving Cert in New Ross, Co.Wexford, was the recipient of a scholarship from the McShain Foundation.  This enabled her to leave the pastoral fields of her native Tinneranny and travel to Pennsylvania where she graduated four years later with an honours degree in English and Psychology.  Through the altruism of her benefactor, she went on to post-graduate study in Villanova University and completed a Masters in Counselling and Human Relations. 

To express her gratitude for this life transforming opportunity, Alice began a long-term correspondence with her sponsor, the iconic builder, John McShain, a devout Catholic with Derry ancestry, who was responsible for the construction of The Jefferson Memorial building, The Pentagon, and The National Shrine to the Immaculate Conception.  He was further responsible for the reconstruction of The White House from 1949 to 1952.  His mission was Ignation in its purity, founded on his education in Jesuit institutions.  He sought to honour his God in all he constructed.  In 1946 when his only child, Pauline, entered the convent, he accepted that he would not leave an heir and so he devoted vast wealth to various Catholic charities.

In addition to her correspondence with John McShain, Alice also got to know his daughter, Sr. Pauline, a woman she soon came to regard as ‘Polly McShain’.  This book further traces the fortunes of the major bequest the McShains made to the Irish people in the form of Killarney House and the surrounding thousands of acres including two of the famous lakes of Killarney, Ross Castle, and Inisfallen Island.  Following many decades of governmental neglect, this amenity is now beautifully restored.

Not only was he responsible for the construction of these magnificent landmarks, he was also a man who believed passionately in education.  His sponsorship of scholarships to Immaculata University Pennsylvania and many other third level institutions transformed the lives of many recipients of this Award, not least, Alice O’ Neill Mcloughlin, the New Ross native, who received this Award in 1978 and who maintained a life-long correspondence with her benefactor. She has now penned this book in his honour.

More Precious than Gold is available from Dunbrody Centre, New Ross, Red Books in Wexford, Wexford Book Centre and online from Amazon.

Booking is essential. Please register below.