Nothing Is Written In Stone: The Notebooks of Justin Keating 1930 - 2009

Justin Keating, son of the artist Sean Keating, attended UCD and TCD. He was a Labour Party politician (Minister for Industry 1973-77), academic, journalist, veterinary surgeon, television pioneer (as Head of Agricultural Broadcasting at RTE) and award-winning documentary filmmaker. In later life he served as Member of the European Parliament and became president of the Humanist Association. President Michael D. Higgins called him ‘a man who saw socialism as both essential and adaptable to change’. Keating introduced the first substantial legislation for the development of Ireland's oil and gas, set up the National Film Studios of Ireland at Ardmore and gave impetus to Kilkenny Design. He wrote extensively – and with opinions well ahead of his time – on the natural world, including women’s health, animal welfare, sustainable energy and ecology. ‘A well made, fit thoroughbred really striding out seems to me one of the most beautiful things on earth, on a par with an orchid or porpoise.’ Edited posthumously by his wife, Barbara Hussey, Justin Keating’s notebooks offer an in-depth, often-impassioned account of the interests, musings and opinions of one of Ireland’s most wide-ranging intellectuals. His dealings with J.D Bernal, Noël Browne, Sean McBride, Charles Haughey, Gerry Fitt and Conor Cruise-O’Brien, form part of this absorbing chronicle, aside from myriad friendships with writers and artists. Nothing Is Written in Stone is a brilliant selfportrait of this multi-dimensional man, who did so much to shape twenty-first century Ireland. Justin Keating, son of the artist Sean Keating, attended UCD and TCD. He was a Labour Party politician (Minister for Industry 1973-77), academic, journalist, veterinary surgeon, television pioneer (as Head of Agricultural Broadcasting at RTE) and award-winning documentary filmmaker. In later life he served as Member of the European Parliament and became president of the Humanist Association. President Michael D. Higgins called him ‘a man who saw socialism as both essential and adaptable to change’. Keating introduced the first substantial legislation for the development of Ireland's oil and gas, set up the National Film Studios of Ireland at Ardmore and gave impetus to Kilkenny Design. He wrote extensively – and with opinions well ahead of his time – on the natural world, including women's health, animal welfare, sustainable energy and ecology. Edited posthumously by his wife, Barbara Hussey, Justin Keating’s notebooks offer an in-depth, often-impassioned account of the interests, musings and opinions of one of Ireland’s most wide-ranging intellectuals. His dealings with J.D Bernal, Noël Browne, Sean McBride, Charles Haughey, Gerry Fitt and Conor Cruise-O’Brien, form part of this absorbing chronicle, aside from myriad friendships with writers and artists. Nothing Is Written in Stone is a brilliant self-portrait of this multidimensional man, who did so much to shape twenty-first century Ireland. -- Publisher description Justin Keating (19302009), perhaps best known as a Labour Party politician, was also a senator, MEP, scientist, journalist, veterinarian, educator, award-winning television pioneer and broadcaster, a documentary filmmaker and farmer. A lifelong atheist, he became president of the Humanist Association of Ireland. This absorbing book chronicles Keatings personal and political odyssey, from earliest memories to old age. Genial, conversational and emphatic in tone, he was a candid raconteur, whether writing about Nol Browne, Sean McBride, Garret FitzGerald, Charles Haughey, Conor Cruise-OBrien and their era, admitting I have been in love four and a half times, or mapping his journey from the Marxism of his youth towards ardently felt, Green-leaning social democracy. Edited posthumously by his wife, Barbara Hussey, Justin Keatings notebooks are an in-depth, impassioned account of the interests and opinions of one of Irelands most wide-ranging intellectuals. His prescience encompassed the perils of nationalism, the future of the Left and of Europe, civil liberties, globalization, religion and sexuality, science, education, womens health, ecology and respect for the natural world. Nothing Is Written in Stone forms a brilliant self-portrait of this multi-faceted radical, whose vision of Ireland and the world remains of enduring relevance.