Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Nearly James Bond




Comedy Fix: 1. Alison Canavan & Caitlin McBride; 2. Carol Byrne & Emma Ledden; 3. Des Bishop & Lisa Cannon. (Pix. Bryan Brophy / 1Image)

Des Bishop's much anticipated new book 'My Dad was nearly James Bond' has just been published and to celebrate he hosted a launch at Fixx Coffeehouse on Dawson Street, a favourite haunt of his.

Among those there on the night were members of the Bishop family, including mother Eileen, presidential hopeful Michael D Higgins, comedienne Pauline McLynn, Ross O'Carroll Kelly creator Paul Howard, presenter and actor Michael Hayes with his fiancée Ailbhe Lee, model Alison Canavan and publican Dermott Doran who is about to open his latest venture on St Stephens Green.

For years the acclaimed comedian wanted to write a show about his father. Mike Bishop was a model and actor who gave up that life to become a hard-working man of the suburbs - a good husband, a caring father, a responsible citizen. Still, he sometimes talked wistfully about the glamorous life he might have had. Sadly Mike died earlier this year.

Now Des has written a memoir inspired by the stage show, by the startling discoveries he made about his father's background before he died, and by his own realisation of what it means to finally grow up. The book is a funny, wise and unforgettable story of a father, a son and what really matters.