Athgarvan local Graham Burke to be remembered with launch of brilliant poetry and illustrations book "Beyond The Stars"

By Kim O'Leary

A hugely creative Athgarvan man with fantastic artistic and writing talent is set to be remembered on Tuesday April 17 as his family launch a poetry and illustrations book titled “Beyond The Stars” in his memory, as well as to raise much-needed funding for the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI).

The book is a selection of poetry and illustrations created by Graham Burke who suddenly passed away aged just 21-years-old on 13 November 2016. Graham is lovingly remembered by his parents Yvonne and Damien and his sisters Rachel and Allanah as well as his many friends across Co. Kildare and beyond.

Graham was born in Kingswood, Dublin in January 1995 and later that year his family moved to Rathfarnham in Dublin. Graham also attended the nearby Charleville Primary school in Templeogue until he was in third class.

At the age of three Graham was diagnosed with Petit Mal, a mild form of epilepsy, which he fully recovered from after several years of medication. However, when Graham was seven years old, he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour and he immediately started treatment, and despite the hardship of the next few months Graham was always upbeat and cheerful, helping and playing with other children in the hospital.

After two operations the tumour was successfully removed, and in the years that followed Graham had regular check-ups until he was given the all-clear in 2011. In the autopsy into Graham’s sudden death in his sleep in November 2016 it was found that the tumour had started to reoccur.

In 2004 Graham and his family moved to The Old Mill Race, Athgarvan, Co. Kildare, and Graham then aged nine quickly befriended the other youngsters in the housing estate, becoming the undisputed “leader” of the group as they spent long summers playing kerbs and football.

Graham attended Scoil Bhride in Athgarvan until he was 12 and he then started in the Patrician Brother’s Secondary School in Newbridge. Graham discovered a profound talent for writing poems and he also continued creating wonderfully realistic drawings. He was greatly inspired by his then English teacher Mr Karl Hegarty, now Principal of the Leinster Senior College in Newbridge.

Graham would go on to study two Post Leaving Certificate courses at St Conleth’s Community College in Newbridge where he studied Business and IT and Computer Science. And while he loved both courses, Graham’s real passion lay in poetry, drawing, playing videogames, and listening to music. He also enjoyed helping others and would go out of his way to assist them.

In the final months of his life Graham had started to work and volunteer in the NCBI shops in Newbridge, and this experience was hugely positive for Graham as he gained confidence, with his friendly and outgoing personality earning him many friends.

Also included are handy bookmarks for "Beyond The Stars"

Speaking to KildareNow, Graham’s mother Yvonne explained: “As it was Graham’s ambition to join a writer’s group and to have his poetry published, we wished to fulfil his dreams, so this is how “Beyond The Stars” came about. It has been a very emotional journey for all the family but we are really delighted with how the book has turned out. We have received such wonderful support and encouragement all along the process of its creation.”

Yvonne said: “Included in the book are family photographs of Graham and photographs with his friends. There are also photographs taken of Graham at the NCBI charity Christmas fashion show in Suncroft the night before his untimely passing. And in continuing with Graham’s spirit of generosity all the proceeds from the sale of his book will be going to the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) and the book is Graham’s legacy.”

“Beyond The Stars” was partially funded by Kildare County Council and Donovan Printing Ltd in Newbridge, and the Burke family would like to express their gratitude to them for all their support as well as to everyone involved in its creation.

The book will be officially launched on Tuesday 17 April at 7:45pm in Newbridge Library by Lucina Russell Arts Officer with Kildare County Council, and staff from the NCBI will also be involved in the event. Mr Karl Hegarty, Graham’s former English teacher, along with Graham’s family and friends, will also be saying a few words on the night.

The books cost €10 each or two for €15 and will be on sale at the launch as well as in the NCBI’s stores, Newbridge Parish Centre and other local outlets. In addition, the book will also be translated into Braille and it will be available from the NCBI library.

Everyone is welcome to attend the launch to pay tribute to Graham, a very talented and inspiring young man.