The author known variously to his family, friends and colleagues as Bill(y); Liam, and William, is a proud Irishman with an international outlook, looks back on eight decades of his life from the late nineteen thirties to the present day. A life that saw his country – then with only fifteen years of independence – transformed from a modest rural environment whose economy was largely based on an agricultural base, to the current thriving modern economy .with its mixture of high tech industries ; tourism , hospitality and pharmaceuticals, science, manufacturing IT and a modern sophisticated agri food processing export industry. He was an active sportsman in his younger years partaking in competitive high and springboard diving; swimming; and water-polo, and rugby at a modest level. A late convert to snow skiing due to the scarcity of snow in his native Ireland. His business career covered a range of different experiences in a variety of industries within Ireland and overseas which led to the opportunities and events recounted in his collection of memories and anecdotes related in his little book of reminiscences that is The Three Good Fridays. He lives in Dublin Ireland having spent a number of years in his working career based in Britain, and the United States. He enjoys an active social life and is a member of some local community associations and clubs. He is a daily year round open sea swimmer in the Irish sea, an activity he intends to continue to enjoy for many years to come.