Journalists who worked with William Rocke in the Irish Press came to celebrate the publication of his latest book, All to Play For, this week.
The launch took place in the Round Room of the Mansion House with Lord Mayor Michael Conaghan officiating.
Liam Flynn, the former art editor of the now defunct newspaper group, was there with his wife, Eithne. Des Nix, another fellow journalist, also recalled the days they spent working together on Burgh Quay.
Rocke's neighbours from Artane came along to get their copy of All to Play For signed by the author. Among them were Frances Duffy, Pat Keegan and the author's sister-in-law, Phyllis Ann Rocke.
His own wife, Phyllis Rocke was there, as were his two brothers, Eamonn and Noel.
The novel is "very racy", said the writer and playwright, who was a full-time journalist for more than 30 years before the Sunday Press closed in 1995 and he began to concentrate more on writing.
"It's about people caught up in the world of big-time golf, all of them with agendas. Golf is in the background. Most of the action takes place off the course . . . it's about people, in particular a passionate love story," said Rocke.
Publishing the book himself was "a great adventure", he explained. He decided to publish the novel because "a lot of good novelists have been turned down" largely because of the "avalanche of chick lit" , he said.
All to Play For by William Rocke is published by Rocphil Publishing, e-mail rocphil@o2.ie