McCourt's ashes to be scattered in Ireland

NEW YORK, July 22 (UPI) -- Frank McCourt's ashes are to be scattered over a river in Limerick, Ireland, where the late author spent much of his childhood.

The New York-born teacher, who died of cancer Sunday, chronicled his years living in poverty in the Irish town in his best-selling memoir "Angela's Ashes."

"Scatter my ashes on the Shannon," IrishCentral.com quoted McCourt as telling friends on his deathbed.

Smith magazine founder Larry Smith told the New York Post he plans to publish McCourt posthumously in "It All Changed in an Instant: More Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure."

Smith told the newspaper he pursued McCourt for months before the beloved scribe came up with something.

"A few months ago, I woke up to find an e-mail from him," Smith recalled. "It read, 'Larry: Here is my half dozen -- 'Miserable childhood leads to royalties.'"

"I was elated," Smith said. "Then I realized: it's only five words!"

McCourt added "The" to the beginning of his sentence and it made the cut, Smith said.