‘a rollercoaster ride of scandals, strokes and scoops’—Jason O’Toole, Hot Press
‘Gatsby carrying a copy of the Daily Telegraph’—Miriam Lord
Top 3 best-seller: Large-format hardback: 240pp of text, 32pp of photos
As featured in the Sunday Business Post, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday and Sunday Independent
Launched by rugby legend Ollie Campbell at the RDS on 30 August
Racing commentator Brough Scott interviewed about the book on The Ivan Yates Show
Author royalties to IRFU Charitable Trust and Irish Injured Jockeys
‘It is said that there is no greater burden than the untold story. So now that Joe McGowan has written the extraordinary, fascinating, intriguing and unique story of his eventful and full life, with such honesty and good humour, and in such detail, I hope he will be completely unburdened – and even liberated – for the rest of his life.’—Ollie Campbell, Ireland rugby international and British & Irish Lion
‘This is a book all can readily identify with: it is a story of family, friends – and the odd foe! It shares a life of compassion, conviction and courage, underpinned by a keen intellect and a generous heart. Joe’s narrative is not just a personal story but also a piece of social history. On both grounds, it is worth telling, and worth reading.’—Alan MacGinty, principal of Blackrock College
‘Clearing the Hurdles is a gripping account of the writer and his business partner, Tom Brennan, becoming the biggest house builders in the country: pioneers in providing affordable houses at value that will never happen again, selling houses at four times the industrial wage.’—Ray McLoughlin, Ireland rugby international and British & Irish Lion
‘For the past five decades, Joe McGowan has been right at the heart of business, sporting and social circles, both in Ireland and the United Kingdom. His astuteness in business, his brilliance as a horseman and his superb social graces provided him with an entry into every echelon of society. In Clearing the Hurdles, Joe McGowan proves to be a very entertaining, charming and honest raconteur as he shares with the reader the ups and downs of his fascinating life, beginning with his upbringing on his parents’ farm in County Mayo and moving on to his time as captain of the Irish three-day-eventing team, while in between marrying a beautiful fashion model, becoming the largest housebuilder in Ireland, buying film director John Huston’s mansion and winning the Blue Riband of the British National Hunt Season, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.’—Charles Smyth, country-house and equestrian-estates specialist
‘Joe writes as he talks: with honesty. I couldn't put Clearing the Hurdles down.’—Alva Gunne, estate agent
‘This book reflects Joe’s enthusiasm for life.’—Pamela Carberry
‘Joe describes the Planning Tribunal, his “Theatre of Ice”, in an exceptionally clever and talented way. He courageously got on with his life and competed at the top level in his sport while showing cause in bankruptcy for five years. Truly remarkable!’—John Walsh, solicitor
‘An interesting book, beautifully written. Captivating – and more bizarre than a novel.’—Alison Oliver, trainer to Princess Anne
‘This book is packed with fascinating stories: from buying film director John Huston’s mansion to playing croquet on a small lawn in Coláiste Pádraig, Swinford, under the guidance of the Principal, Father Sean O’Neill. Now, sixty years later, he is the President of the Croquet Association of Ireland.’—Stephen O'Connell Miley, solicitor
‘It is a formidable story of two young men in the building and property world, unknown to the general public.’—Laurence McCabe, former World President of the International Real Estate Federation
‘Clearing the Hurdles is Joe McGowan’s extraordinary story. He has lovingly crafted every word of this book with meticulous attention to every detail, from the writing and photography, to the design of the book itself. The end result is the story of someone who has lived life at the pace of a Gold Cup horse in sight of the winning post. His love of words, writing, poetry and music embellish every page, and not only commemorate a life less ordinary but chronicle a remarkable era in the country he helped to build.’—Liam Collins, author and Sunday Independent journalist
