{"title":"Gary Cunningham","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"joys-of-joy-book-gary-cunningham-9781908308979","title":"Joys of Joy","description":"‘I sentence you to three and a half years,’ bellowed the immaculately well-kept Judge Bolan … ‘Thank you VERY much Judge Bolan, ya sanctimonious prick’  were the words that came flooding into my mind as the walls of Court 5 came closing in on top of me ... but who was I kidding?   So begins Gary Cunningham’s remarkable memoir about his time in Mountjoy Prison. Occasionally harrowing but more often hilariously funny, Joys of Joy offers a searingly honest account of Gary’s experiences as a prisoner. Raised in a stable, middle class family, Gary had never been in trouble before an alcohol and drug problem led to a stupid mistake that was his downfall. As Gary says in his Preface:   ‘I will take you inside one of Ireland’s most famous jails and guide you through what was one of the most frightening, exciting rollercoaster rides I have ever embarked on. In no way will I try to glorify prison life, nor will I regale you with tales of bloodshed and torture. This is just my honest account of how getting myself in serious trouble with the law and ending up in Mountjoy, and subsequently Loughan House, was a truly life changing experience for me.’   Little did Gary know when he went through the prison gates as a terrified first-timer that inside those walls he would create a successful rock band, win two writing competitions, form Ireland’s first Prisoners’ Committee and meet some of the most remarkable people – prisoners and staff alike – who would literally save his life.   As Gary says, ‘This is my story… This is my journey… This is feckin’ CRAZY!’","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49520266936593,"sku":"GOR008580785","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49614581530897,"sku":"GOR010356498","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50540770361617,"sku":"GOR011439485","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53444697424145,"sku":"GOR010324583","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1908308974.jpg?v=1751092655"},{"product_id":"i-am-enough-book-gary-cunningham-9781916099838","title":"I Am Enough!'","description":"Inside these pages are stories based on situations described by students: bullying, peer pressure, dealing with grief, social media and, shockingly, suicide.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49530658291985,"sku":"GOR010587502","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49649632903441,"sku":"GOR013653048","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1916099831.jpg?v=1751433160"},{"product_id":"life-after-joy-book-gary-cunningham-9780995792753","title":"Life After Joy","description":"April 5, 2017, 4.52 pm – The last time Gary wore a suit he was in Court 5 receiving a sentence to Mountjoy Prison for three and a half years. But on this occasion, he is preparing for the launch of his first book. “Jaysis Annie,” he says to his partner, “we did it – we actually did it. Tonight I launch my book!” Antoinette looks at him in a way only she can and says, “I know Gar ... I’m so proud of you ... but my God ... we almost didn’t make it!”  So begins the story that almost never happened. Come join Gary as he gives the most honest account yet of “life after prison”. A sometimes heartbreaking, but more often hilarious tale of humongous highs and lethal lows as Gary describes trying to “fit in”, almost succumbing again to “the dreaded drink” and nearly giving up entirely.   This follow up to the best-selling Joys of Joy: Finding Myself in an Irish Prison is a tour de force of hopes and dreams and setbacks, a story that will encourage readers to never give up no matter how many times they get knocked down. It is also a story of the true power of family and friendship, as Gary describes what became of the successful rock band he formed in prison as well as updating us on the wonderful friendships he made inside, and of course on his relationship with his “love interest” from Joys of Joy, Antoinette – do they make it? All will be revealed …   From debilitating health issues to the seal of approval from a Bishop ... from the near impossible task of trying to gain employment to chatting with Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show ... from feeling constantly judged for his shameful past to being fully accepted by his peers … from knowing how much hurt he caused his beloved mother to receiving her forgiveness and respect ... and, most importantly, from being a total waster to showing that anyone can completely turn their life around!  So, is there a Life After Joy? Well, jump on in and find out ...","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49600334004497,"sku":"GOR009844248","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49659819950353,"sku":"GOR009933977","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49664906264849,"sku":"GOR012142797","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0995792755.jpg?v=1751438505"},{"product_id":"mystery-animals-of-ireland-book-gary-cunningham-9781905723591","title":"The Mystery Animals of Ireland","description":"Even in the 21st Century, Ireland is still a land full of mysteries. Some of the most enduring enigmas of The Emerald Isle are the mysterious animals which still apparently lurk in loughs, rivers and mountains. Beasts such as the lake monsters, the dwarf wolves of Achill island, and the terrifying Dobharchu.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50607638675729,"sku":"GOR007835722","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51098265452817,"sku":"NIN9781905723591","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52472011850001,"sku":"NLS9781905723591","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1905723598.jpg?v=1750834649"},{"product_id":"american-military-bayonets-of-the-20th-century-a-guide-for-collectors-including-book-gary-cunningham-9781888722086","title":"American military bayonets of the 20th century: A guide for collectors, including notes on makers, markings, finishes, variations, scabbards, and production data","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51769236521233,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51769236750609,"sku":"CIN1888722088G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781888722086.jpg?v=1751480409"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-gb\/collections\/author-books-by-gary-cunningham.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}