From a thatched house in Aughrim to fashion, music, China and beyond, To Be Frank captures a life lived with colour, character and passion
“I’m probably the most unlikely person to write a book – I’ve only managed to read three books in my 75 years,” laughs Frank Owens.
And yet, having spent a lifetime being told by friends and family that he “should write a book” because of the many stories he had gathered along the way, Frank has finally done just that.
With the creative writing assistance of 29-year-old Andrew Watson, To Be Frank tells the extraordinary story of a man whose life has taken him from a rural childhood in Aughrim, County Roscommon to the worlds of music, fashion, international business and performance.
The opening chapter brings readers back to Frank’s early days growing up in a straw-thatched house in Aughrim, where he was born at home and raised in a rural setting, living close to the land. There are memories of school days, getting into trouble, and the kind of colourful childhood stories that immediately give the book its charm.
Music was part of life from the beginning. Frank’s father was a well-known fiddle player, his brother took up the accordion, and Frank himself gravitated towards the guitar and bouzouki. That love of music would stay with him throughout his life.
At 16, Frank left for Dublin, where he trained as a lab technician. In 1974, he and his wife Geraldine moved from Galway to Australia, spending three years there before returning to Dublin. Geraldine had already enjoyed success in the public eye, having won Miss Teen and gone on to place fourth in the world.
Back in Ireland, Frank’s career took an unexpected turn into the fashion industry. The book recalls his encounters with major names from the music world, including AC/DC, U2, The Smiths and Luke Kelly, as well as his years working as the Pepe Jeans agent during the 1980s.
Frank later opened boutiques in Castlebar, Kildare, Portlaoise and Dublin, eventually moving into debs dresses, red-carpet designs and his own brand, So Amazing. By 2016, he had become a major supplier of debs dresses, as well as supplying Miss Ireland and Miss World, with his work reaching shops across Ireland and the UK.
His business also brought him regularly to China, where he travelled six to eight times a year. In another remarkable twist, Frank was invited to form a band there and went on to perform in Hong Kong for St Patrick’s Day, headlining the Canton Tower for four years before Covid.
Now semi-retired, Frank continues to follow his passion for music and performs with the Wandering Elderberries. For him, music and passion are closely linked. He believes music brings people together, allows them to interact, and reminds them to enjoy life.
That spirit runs through To Be Frank. The book is very well written and easy to read, but what makes it stand out is the personality behind it. It is full of character, warmth, honesty, and unexpected turns – the story of a man who followed opportunities, took chances, built a life across several worlds, and never lost his sense of humour.
Asked what he hopes people will take from the book, Frank’s answer is simple: “Enjoy life and follow your dreams.”
*To Be Frank will be launched in Bracken’s, Hillstreet, at 8.30 pm on Friday, June 5th and at Gullane’s Hotel, Ballinasloe, at 8 pm on Saturday, June 6th.
