If I had to describe writer Lee Dunne in one word, it would have to be "Generous, generous with his words, his wisdom and his wealth."

I first met Lee in 1993 and, I am afraid to say, I had never heard of this charming, distinguished man, as a writer or as a family member.

He was like Santa Claus himself because every time he came to visit he always brought presents for my mother and my family. It was then I not only gained a cousin but I had met a man that I could rely on and confide in as a friend.

Lee is probably best known for "Goodbye to the Hill," the autobiographical play that he wrote, which ran in the Regency Hotel for three years. The play then continued to run in various venues such as The Embankment for eighteen weeks and in the Tivoli in Liverpool for a future eight weeks.

A projected production is planned for the Temple Theatre in Dorset Street which will begin in January 1998.

Not surprisingly two Hollywood producers, namely Patrick Markey and Cathy Orloff, who are finishing scoring the motion picture "The Horse Wisper" with Robert Redford in England, have arranged to get together with the Irish writer on the development of "Goodbye to the Hill" to be made into a film.

At the moment Lee is involved with RTE and has a radio programme on the air called "Konvenience Korner" which he describes as both funny and dramatic with all the usual characters. This programme goes out on RTE Radio 1 at 12.30 pm on Monday and Friday.

When I asked Lee about plans for Christmas he told me he would probably be going somewhere sunny and relaxing with his wife Maura, and then proceeded to quote about his wife that "it was like the Lord God said, this quare fellas needs an angel to look after him and he sent Maura." I have met Maura and there has never been a truer word spoken, because you could easily mistake this woman for an angel.

Both Lee and Maura have attended the same school in Northumberland Road. Lee has tutored on occasions. He said that this experience is a bonus for living and looking back on his life he told me "It was like an old movie. I felt sorry for him but he did the best he could on the day. With no prizes awarded, you can only do your best."

Lee celebrated 28 years of being sober on 16th October this year, and seventeen years drug free.
He came back to Ireland in 1970 and moved all over Ireland before settling in Monkstown after he married Maura.

He told me of his worst Christmas, which was when he worked as a steward on board a liner travelling from New Zealand. "It was a horrifying experience which was no picnic." He mentioned last Christmas, definitely the best yet, which he spent with family and friends. "Work was good," he said, "and living is even better."

Out of all the people I have met in my life Lee Dunne is the most uplifting person I could ever meet in a lifetime. Lee Dunne with the writers group who meet in the C.Y.M.S. Offices every Wednesday morning at 10.15. Feel free to call in if you would like to get involved. Contact Audrey at 2838620 for further details.