New book explores the meaning of life but we want to hear your #lifeinatweet

It’s a question that mankind has pondered since the beginning of time and the answer is never the same  - no matter who you ask.

A new book by UCC lecturer Catherine Conlon does just that.

Entitled ‘Saol – Thoughts from Ireland on Life and Living’, Conlon seeks opinions from people from all walks of life on the point of existence.

A number of prominent Irish names from the world of media, academia, psychology, politics and even an astronaut give insight into their own personal reflections on the meaning of life.

Dr Conlon, a lecturer in epidemiology and public health said, “I love this quote from Erwin Chargaff – ‘Science is wonderfully equipped to answer the question ‘How?’ but it gets terribly confused when you ask the question ‘Why?’’ so I decided to ask lots of different people “why are we here?”

Dr Conlon will be in Waterstones Cork on Patrick St, Cork this Saturday October 11 for ‘Books Are My Bag’, an initiative by the Booksellers Association aimed at highlighting the importance of bookshops. She will sign copies of her book from 2pm.

The book got us thinking and now, we're asking you! So what is your meaning of life - in a tweet? Let us know using the hash tag #lifeinatweet and we'll compile a list of the best contributions later in the week.

In the meantime here are some of our favourite reflections from the book's contributors:

Bill O' Herlihy - Broadcaster/Journalist

Bill wants to be remembered as someone who tried his best. Quietly.

Eleanor McEvoy - Singer/Songwriter

Every night, as Eleanor McEvoy goes to sleep, she thinks of three things she’s grateful for that happened during the day, and one thing she is looking forward to on the following day.

Peter Sheridan - Author

Peter Sheridan remembers a man who said ‘Religion is for people who are afraid of hell, and spirituality is for those who have already been there.’

This writer's personal opinion on why we exist:

However, this 9-year-old buy makes far more sense with his thoughts on why we're all here.

Oh look! Howard's being eaten! .................... Makes you think, doesn't it? #MontyPython #MeaningOfLife

— Monty Python (@pythonquotes) September 1, 2014