On Our Way

About the Book

On Our Way details the many trips throughout Europe made over the years by Hugh Oram and his wife, Bernadette. During their travels, they have visited practically every country in Western Europe, as well as countries in Central and Eastern Europe such as Poland. Memorably, Hugh was in Prague in August 1968, shortly before the Soviet-led invasion of what was then Czechoslovakia. The two trips he made to Prague—one just before the invasion in 1968 and another in the aftermath in 1969—were among the most memorable he has done. Other outstanding trips done by Hugh and his wife have included one to Poland, as well as trips to Greece, Spain, and Portugal, shortly after democracy was restored in each of those countries. The country that they have done the most explorations in is France, where over the years, they have visited practically every part of the country, including numerous visits to Paris. Hugh considers that he knows the map of Paris as well as the map of the city where he lives, Dublin. In the course of his journalism and radio work, Hugh has also visited every corner of Ireland—North and South—and has got to know well every city and town, as well as many villages. During these travels, he has gained many insights into Ireland’s culture and unique history.

About the Author

Hugh Oram has been on the road since 1958, when he made his first trip to France,to Paris and the Lyon region. Many adventures followed, especially in Prague in 1968 and 1969. Shortly after he met his wife Bernadette, in 1970, they began their trips together around Europe. The pace of those trips speeded up after they got married in 1972. For 20 years,they criss-crossed the continent of Europe, as well as making one memorable trip to Boston in the US, where hilarious incidents included a visit to an all-nude university revue. Since his first visit to Dublin when he was 14 and his decision to settle permanently in Ireland five years later,he has lived in Derry, Belfast, Drogheda and Dublin and has made countless trips the length and breadth of Ireland, sometimes accompanied by Bernadette, at other times on his own. All along the way, both throughout their European trips and their forays throughout Ireland, they have met an amazing array of characters, a selection of whom are depicted here. Many of his books have been profiles of specific places throughout Ireland and researching these books has provided many historical insights. One book contract in particular made a big difference, Hugh’s involvement in researching and writing the first Michelin Green Guide to Ireland. That work involved industrial quantities of travelling that helped enhance his appreciation of the many sights of Ireland.