Leon Uris

Leon Uris (1924 – 2003) was a wonderful American novelist, whose two best selling books were Exodus (1958) and Trinity (1976). Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he started writing after his WWII service, and was intensely interested in both Israel and Ireland. Exodus was made in to a feature film starring Paul Newman in 1960. Trinity was an epic work about Ireland’s struggle for independence. It’s always been a favourite in the Murphy family as much is set in and around Derry and Inishowen, where my mother grew up. In fact many people referenced in the book were known by and related to her family, the McIvors, and it was a compulsory read in our house growing up.

It was with great surprise and pride that we were asked to send Mr Uris one of our wonderful flannel Grandad Style nightshirts , to his home on Shelter Island. Unfortunately, Mr Uris wasn’t so well at this time, but one of our colleagues, John Alexander, who was very good to my mother, took it upon himself to locate a first edition of Trinity and send it to Mr Uris, explaining how much the book meant to her. Mr Uris, in turn, not only signed the book, but wrote my mother a lovely letter. Given how little time he had left, I expect it’s one of, and possibly the last copy he ever signed. The book, the letter and the nightshirt (which was kindly returned to us) all take pride of place in Ballybofey.