Frank McCourt Luncheon

On the 21 st February 2006 the Ireland Fund of New Zealand hosted a luncheon in Auckland to honour visiting Irish-American teacher and author Frank McCourt. The visit marked the launch of his latest title Teacher Man (2005). Attendees invited to the luncheon were treated to a very informative speech from McCourt with each attendee receiving a personally signed complimentary copy of the book. There was also an opportunity for questions and discussion directly with Frank at the luncheon which followed. From tickets sold for attending the luncheon, the Fund was able to raise a small amount towards future funded projects.

Frank McCourt was born in 1930 in New York City but grew up in Limerick, Ireland. In 1949 at the age of 19, he returned to the United States and earned a degree from New York University. He taught English at several schools in New York City. He received the Pulitzer Prize (1997) and National Book Critics Circle Award (1996) for his memoir Angela's Ashes (1996), which details his childhood as a poor Irish Catholic in Limerick. He is also the author of 'Tis (1999), which continues his life story, picking up from the end of the previous book. Teacher Man (2005) also resumes the story and reflects on his teaching experiences in New York high schools and colleges .