This week’s Moment in Time is looking back to 2008, when Pat Critchley launched his book ‘Hungry Hill’ in the Maryborough function room in the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel.
The book was launched by Kilkenny manager Brian Cody and former Wexford manager Liam Griffin, and the evening was MC’d by Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett.
With 1000 people in attendance, the book signing went on until 1 am, which is truly a testament to the volume of people who turned up to support the local legend.
Pat spoke himself about his beloved childhood in Saint Brigid’s (AKA, Hungry Hill) and the grassroots of the GAA in his life.
He is quoted from the night saying “This isn’t just my story, it’s their stories too”, relating to the many he had crossed paths with over the years.
Check out the pictures below from a truly special event.
Pat Critchley signs for Mick “Hopper” Delaney at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Deirdre, Anne and Oonagh Fennell at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Deirdre Brady, Carmel Laffere and Bernadette Dunne at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sara Deegan and Jean O’Brien at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Seamus O’Brien and Cllr. James Deegan at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.John and Frances O’Sullivan at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Pat and Edel Preston at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Kevin, David and Mark Farrell at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Paddy and Margaret Walsh at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Dinny and Patty Roe at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Chris and Marie Nestor and Teresa Mulhare at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Pat with Joe and Teresa Conroy and Mary Wheatley at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ready with the books for sale at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Kevin and Gemma Culliton at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ollie Byrne and Eugene Fennelly at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Tony Ryan, Kieran Devery and John O’Mahony at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Peter Gavin, Kenneth Timmons and Niall Gavin at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Marie Gleeson and Ger and Mazz Gavin at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Jack Naughton, John McNamee and Kevin Langan at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Karen Smith, Lorna Keenan and Trish Keenan at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Mary Kirwan, Cllr. Mary Sweeney and Mo Nerney at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Jo Rainsford and Trish Conroy at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sean Mullaney and Tom Prendergast at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Martin Carroll and Frank Sexton at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Anne Carroll and Margaret and Dan Kinsella at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michael Flanagan and Frank Gallagher at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Pat signs a copy for Trish Cuddy at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ellen Geaney, Katie O’Dea and Alison Finlay at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.Tommy Kenna and Michael Carroll at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel for the launch of Pat Critchley’s Hungry Hill. Picture: Alf Harvey.
