Born in Killeenduff, Easky, County Sligo, where he was schooled, Conlon won a five-year scholarship to the National College of Art and Design in 1960.
Although some 80% of the tumour was removed, Conlon was physically incapacitated and required extensive care for the remaining year of his life.
Conlon's works include Millennium Garden Sculpture at Lucan Community College.
Harte and Conlon were born within fifty metres of one another, and ten months apart, in the townland of Killeenduff.
In this book Harte warmly tells the remarkable story of Conlon's life and provides a unique insight into his ideas and inspiration.