Today I spent most of my day looking for illustrators for my collection of stories. Mike on the Castlebar Bulletin Board suggested I ask some art students. This I did among other tasks of searching through the web. I came across wonderful illustrators on the IGI page and phoned Steve Cannon about our ideas and goals. What a great chap. Anyhow, it’s good to know there are others like me out there.

Browsing through the Castlebar Business Directory I came upon a new shop that had opened in December 2004. McCarthy’s Books. The owner is Michael McCarthy and I thought him to be the one and same as the Michael McCarthy, the illustrator. There was no phone number, so I gathered my things, jumped in my car and drove there.

No one seemed to know where the new bookstore was. I knew that they were close to Cox’s. So on foot I walked around. Good news. I found it and what a lovely surprise it was. I walked into this small bookstore; one could still smell the new wood of the shelf. A calm atmosphere lingered in the shop. So many books are offered, but without making it look commercial. Just homely. I recognized authors such as our Maeve Binchy, Michael Mullan, John Connelly right through to my favorite suspense writers Jonathan Kellerman, James Patterson. They even had Wilbur Smith, a South African writer. I was impressed.

But now for the cherry on the cake. This tall friendly man greeted me with such a smile. Not one of that "put on" salesperson smiles. But a genuine smile that lit up his eyes. It was the owner himself, Michael McCarthy,(not the illustrator by the way.) Here was a person who’s whole attitude said; "I have this shop because I love books." A real book person. He was not shy about admitting not having read some of the books, I mean, who could? Michael suggested many titles and when I told him about the other Michael McCarthy he offered to help me find an illustrator as well. He even agreed to have a book launch for my new book (once it’s published) right in Castlebar. Now if that is not service!!! If I had been one of those mystery shoppers, I would give him and the shop full marks.

There are many shops selling various items, but in my mind there is a vast difference between a shop that just sells goods and a shop that makes you feel welcome. Have I mentioned the good prices? No, I don’t think I’ll go there. I don’t want this article to sound like a sales pitch. And to think I didn’t even know the shop existed until I saw it on Castlebar Business Directory. Well done to the people of Castlebar.ie.