A Celtic Childhood Hardback - 1999

The first book in a trilogy, "A Celtic Childhood" offers a collection of colorful characters and humorous memories spanning Watkins's boyhood years. Whether saving his elementary school Christmas pageant from utter disaster when a fire breaks out on stage, or dressing up as a gangster and causing havoc at a gala wedding affair, the roisterous young Liam never allowed for a dull moment. Here we see the origins of Watkins's literary and theatrical talents as he takes us to his family gatherings in Limerick and Wales, where Celtic poetry, history, and song were as lush as the rolling countryside.
"Bill Watkins should receive credit for re-associating the words humorous, ' thoughtful, ' and educational' with the term Irish memoir.' Watkins succeeds at creating a lively, readable account of the first 17 years of his life, because he possesses the skill of an Irish bard: He can mix poetry, song, story and history together to make a pleasing tale."-"Missoula Independent"
""A Celtic Childhood" will appeal to all people who enjoy music and myths and a wee bit of mischief."-"San Antonio Express News"
"Brilliant and entertaining."-Jim Brooks, "Irish Gazette"
"Laugh-out-loud funny, with an eccentric cast of characters. . . . Watkins's embellished childhood tales make for pure reading pleasure."-"Publishers Weekly" (starred review)