Born on Valentia Island in County Kerry in 1934, Des Lavelle has never felt hemmed in by the surrounding waters. Perhaps best known to the world for his passion for the nearby Skellig Islands, on whose history and wonder he has lectured internationally, Des has led a fascinating and varied life. But from his earliest childhood, through his short-lived 'permanent, pensionable job' with the Western Union Telegraph Company, his local seafaring activity, his stint in movie life and his international travels as a lecturer and bestselling author, his heart has never left the Island.

In this wide-ranging memoir, Des's love of his surroundings shines through as he takes us on an extraordinary journey from an idyllic childhood to finding a track in life where no ready-made routes or signposts showed the way, to becoming an author, an authority and an international lecturer on the historical and wildlife riches of Kerry's intriguing Skellig Islands. Island Boy is the compelling story of a man born and raised in Valentia, but not limited by its remote location. Des Lavelle invites us to share with him in the ups and downs, the adventures and the quiet reflections of life on an island outpost - a unique life that has been lived to the full.