Though our bodies may fail, love, faith and courage never do

Climb with Charlie,  by Charlie Bird (Merrion Press, €17.99/£16.99)

In 2021, veteran RTÉ journalist Charlie Bird made it known that he has motor neurone disease. He was charged up to make a positive response. He decided to organise a charity climb of Ireland’s famous Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick.

In its fulfilment, his simple plan grew into a national event. Though it was a difficult day for Charlie and others, it turned out well. Some €3 million was raised for charity.

This book is a photographic record of that unforgettable day. It comes with forewords by Ryan Tubridy and Vicky Phelan. But the words are far outshone by the photos of the day, which display all the love and courage that surrounded the event, down to the last lingering action of lighting five candles for Charlie Bird’s personal hopes, and by others too for their own personal challenges.

Living with Motor Neurone Disease, edited by Dr Marie Murray (Cork University Press, €14.95 / £12.99), recently reviewed in these pages, will prove of immense value to any one in any way affected by this conditional themselves or through family or friends. Nobody need be alone with MND.