Алекс Баркли: I Confess

I love researching — for the people I meet, the brains I get to pick, the knowledge and insight I gain, the new friends I make, and for the generosity of spirit that surrounds it all. People will often say they are honoured to be thanked at the back of a book. But, truly, the honour is all mine.

Very special thanks to: the wonderful, witty and wise, Elaine Moore, who I first discovered through her brilliant blog, www.wheellife.co.uk; Donal Lenihan, a true gent, who dealt so kindly and humorously with a rugby rookie; Hervé Blanchard; Professor Marie Cassidy; James Eogan; Liz Foley; René Gapert; Diarmuid McCarthy; Marney O’Donoghue; Brendan O’Driscoll, Brian O’Driscoll; Marie O’Halloran; Marc O’Sullivan; Paddy O’Sullivan; Stephen Pierce from Kerry Office Supplies; Bob Rotella, Catherine Ryan; Terry Reilly from Switch Distribution. Any errors are mine.

To my friends, who played such a huge part in bringing this book over the line. Among them, they so generously provided: brilliant conversation, joy, inspiration, laughter, reading, writing, feedback, rereading, shelter, transport, macarons, research, shoulders, prayers...

For their particularly outstanding contribution to I Confess , and my life, thank you to the generous, high-larious, selfless, insightful, creative genii, Paula Kavanagh (we will always have What Ifs) and Julie Sheridan (we will always have Limahl); for epic manoeuvres in the final stretch, huge thanks to Colin Weldon (well done, Weldon. Five stars!), Sue Booth-Forbes of Anam Cara Writers’ and Artists’ Retreat, David Browne, Rebekah Carroll, Eoin Colfer, David & Majella Geraghty, Sarah Hanley; Anne Harrington, Bernice Harrison, Ger Holland, Simon Kernick, Casey King, Derek Landy, PJ Lynch, Eoin McHugh, Ger McDonnell, Marian McDonnell, Jenny Murphy, Noleen Murphy & John Kevin Harrington, John Murry, Liz Nugent & Richard McCullough, Estella O’Brien, David O’Callaghan, John O’Donnell & Micheline Huggard, Vanessa O’Loughlin, Sue Swansborough, Dick Tobin, Kevin Wignall, and Brian Williams.

Very special thanks to Mary Harrington Causkey at Eyeries Post Office — your kindness knows no bounds. And thank you to everyone at Eyeries Post Office — you are all stars.

I ventured forth to three special places in Beara to write I Confess. So thank you to Mark Golden & Mark Johnston, Louise O’Sullivan, Tom Dickenson, Mags McCarthy and all the staff at the Beara Coast Hotel, Castletownbere; David & Lorna Ramshaw, Ciara Feeley, Caroline O’Sullivan, and everyone at the Tea Room, Castletownbere; Cindy van Nulck and all the staff at Cindy’s Gems, Eyeries.

To my beloved family — I adore you. I took off-the-radar to an extreme on this one, so thank you from the bottom of my heart for your understanding, love, and patience.