Liz Laird launch: a sobering reminder of the worst of times – and the best of humanity
It was terrific to see so many people - nurses, academics and book fans - at Derry’s Central Library for the launch of Liz Laird’s Troubled Adventures of a Student Nurse on Saturday September 26.
Liz’s memoir of her time as a trainee at the Royal Victoria Hospital from 1979 to 1982 serves as a timely and sobering reminder of the worst of times, and of the trauma that period left on all of us.
But the book also reminds us of the best of our humanity – when, despite terrible circumstances and personal dangers, nurses and other good folk stepped up to create and offer a sacred space where they could care for all of us, with compassion, sympathy and love.
Key to this book’s lasting appeal is Liz’s unique perspective - a young, non-partisan outsider, Church of Ireland but with a strong Leitrim accent - acclimatising to the battlegrounds of Belfast.
It’s a riveting read and there was a great contingent of medical personnel, and former colleagues of Liz from her time as a lecturer in nursing at Magee, at the launch, many buying multiple copies for friends and former colleagues.
Colmcille Press would like to thank all those who attended: our most gracious interviewer Felicity McCall; guest speaker, Professor Neal Cook for his wonderful remarks; and Simon Quigg of Derry Central Library, our generous host and MC. Also, the publication could not have happened without the Colmcille Press team - Joe McAllister, Joe Martin, Jacqui Begley, Gerry Doherty, Martin Melarkey, Conal McFeely and all at Ráth Mór; we very much appreciate your great support.
Most of all, we would like to thank Liz for entrusting us with this very special book. We have no doubt this is a work that will stand the test of time, as a frontline, eye-witness account of one of the most difficult periods of Ireland’s recent history. Well done to you Liz. This is an important and enduring piece of work. Comhghairdeas mór leat agus go raibh míle maith agat!
