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TALENTED Killarney cartoonist, artist and illustrator Martin Carey will himself be in the picture this Saturday as he opens a brand-new chapter with his fantastic first book The Hahah.

Martin, from Kilcummin, has always had a passion for art and will be known to many locally for his stunning watercolour paintings. Now his cartoons have won him another whole legion of fans both in print and online, particularly in the past few months.

Since May, Killarney Advertiser was delighted to welcome Martin as our resident cartoonist – and we always look forward to seeing and sharing with our readers Martin’s unique and witty take on life in Killarney and beyond.

Martin, who has been a member of staff with Irish Rail and who has worked at Killarney Railway Station for the past 25 years, has a real eye for the faces and places he encounters. “I called the book The Haha, both in reference to the place in Killarney town centre and also as a play on words,” said Martin. Indeed, one of his memorable cartoons shows The Simpsons character Nelson at the Haha in Killarney – Nelson is, of course, renowned for his catchphrase “ha ha”. “The book mainly consists of cartoons about Killarney and Kerry with an emphasis on local issues, politics, Kerry football and the GAA,” added Martin.

The Haha, which was designed by Ticketyboo Design & Print at Killarney Advertiser, features a whole host of eye-catching, humorous and thought-provoking cartoons and would make the perfect Christmas present.

The 64-page publication will be available for sale throughout Killarney, in Eason, O’Connor’s Newsagents, Eagers, Kerry GAA Store in Killarney Outlet Centre, Bricin, Serendipity and Muckross Gift Shop. It retails at €9.99. Martin will also be selling it online through Facebook (martincareyart) and Etsy.

Martin, who is a past pupil of Holy Cross Mercy National School, Presentation Monastery National School and St Brendan’s College, has also had his work published nationally in the Phoenix magazine and examples of his cartoons, illustrations and watercolours can be viewed on Facebook at Martincareyart where Martin will also be setting up an online shop link. “Artistically I'm self-taught,” said Martin. “At a younger age I loved comic books, 2000AD particularly.”

Interestingly, it was the general election that ensured he took up his cartoonist’s pen again. “During the election earlier this year I did a couple of cartoons in support of Danny Healy-Rae’s late candidacy,” said Martin. “These cartoons received a huge reaction online, most of which were viewed between 30,000 and 40,000 times, with a worldwide reach, so after this I began to concentrate on the cartoons and all this has culminated in the book.”

Martin’s wife Tina and his daughters Nicola, Hazel and Holly will be wishing him well at his book launch this Saturday at 2pm in Killarney Library. The book will be lby TDs and brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae (both of whom feature regularly in the book). Admission is free and all are welcome.