Chai Brady
The closure of Ireland’s biggest religious publisher and retailer hit devoted customers, staff and publishers hard, with many still wondering what will replace Veritas.
Finding a dedicated source for books and booklets for church racks, along with perhaps Divine Word cards, inspirational sacramental supplies, book printing and all the plethora of seasonal material needed in addition is a gargantuan challenge. With fewer priests as well as volunteers, tasks can stack up and seem overwhelming.
This is where Paul Daly’s PD Books is stepping in, aiming to fill the gap in the religious market left behind by Veritas by doing all the above.
Mr Daly began his journey started working in the Veritas communications centre from 1992- 1997 where he recorded many conferences and attended book displays.
The only sector that are still going strong are the Charismatics”
Speaking to The Irish Catholic, he says: “In 1997 I took the big leap and left Veritas to start my own recording company ‘Eist Audio’. I took on a couple of employees and we were up and down the country recording. I had the pleasure of recording some amazing speakers in Milltown Institute, All Hallows, Knock and almost ever hotel and prayer centre nationwide. Times were busy, thank God.
“I’m still recording to date but a lot less events are being held. The only sector that are still going strong are the Charismatics around the country,” he adds. All the material that Eist has recorded over the past 27 years is available on their new website www.hearinggodsword.com where they can be purchased on CD, USB or digitally downloaded for half price.
Flexibility
Regarding PD Books, Mr Daly says they listen to customers and supply them accordingly – taking on a one-stop shop model, which is the reason he believes they are still in operation.
Mr Daly says: “Diversify or die is what they say. Parish office secretaries and priests are so busy they need help and ideas proposed to them. This is where we work best, tell us what you require and we will work with you. We try to understand your parish vision and needs and how best a parish can reach out and evangelise. We work closely with our Irish and UK suppliers in order to provide the quickest and best service to all our customers.
“Going forward we would like to reach out to many more churches, book clubs, conference organisers, prayer groups etc and look after your supply needs.”
I am so lucky to have an office with the St Columban Sisters”
Times have not always been easy, with Mr Daly having to vacate his business premises during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I was in trouble, no business and no premises, what do I do?” he recalls. Two things in particular helped him through.
“I went to Fr Donal Roche who was PP in Wicklow (Now Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin) and told him my plight. Immediately he offered me new temporary premises to get me up and running, no questions asked. He was a saviour. After two years I had to move again and now I am so lucky to have an office with the St Columban Sisters in Magheramore, Wicklow,” Mr Daly says.
The second saviour? “My family and my Faith – I’m blessed to have both,” he adds, “I would be delighted to continue doing my job and keeping the Faith alive because I love it. I regularly tell my wife when I come home ‘I work with the best people in the world’, and I mean it.”