The Whoseday Book. A Millennium Journal.

Special Edition. Oblong 8vo. [392]pp. Black Irish linen-covered boards, inlaid in copper gilt to spine and front; rust-coloured endpapers. Numerous b/w photographs and text reproductions. Printed on varnished paper with integral ribbon place marker. Housed in a matching slipcase.

Signed by Seamus Heaney in black marker pen at the foot of his page-long introduction, p. [7]. Additionally signed by Colm Tóibín at his contribution (February 3rd).

Along the first trade edition, there was a limited edition of 129 copies signed by Heaney (patron of the hospice), and 35 other contributors. While both afore-mentioned editions were issued in a dust-jacket, the special edition was published sans dustwrapper in a black cloth-covered slipcase.

A day-by-day book for the year 2000, designed as a fundraiser for the Irish Hospice Foundation, with contributions from 365 writers, artists, and celebrities. They include John Banville, Sebastian Barry, Ronan Bennett, Maeve Binchy, Bono, J.P. Donleavy, Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright, Brian Friel, Carlo Gébler, Bob Geldof, Anne Haverty, Dermot Healy, Jennifer Johnston, Brian Keenan, Thomas Kinsella, Louis le Brocquy, Michael Longley, Derek Mahon, Patrick McCabe, Colum McCann, Frank McCourt, Martin McDonagh, John McGahern, Patrick McGrath, Frank McGuinness, John Montague, Christy Moore, Brian Moore, Paul Muldoon, Iris Murdoch, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Edna O'Brien, Sinéad O'Connor, Tom Paulin et al.

Besides his introduction, Heaney here contributes a translation from the Irish of Cathal Ó Searcaigh's 'Pilleadh An Deorai,' (February 5th), and his own 'Hygeia,' (May 15th).

[Brandes & Durkan B197b]