News

Talking Ghostwriting.

I’m often asked to talk to the press about the art of ghostwriting, but this article, prompted by Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, is the most comprehensive I’ve contributed to. Journalist Patrice Harrington, writing in The Sunday…

Read more

Death of Máire Mhac an tSaoi – (Cruse O’Brien)

I was so saddened to hear of Máire’s death at the weekend. Back in 2003, I was lucky enough to interview her about her memoir, The Same Age as the State. I spent a glorious afternoon…

Read more

Book signing with Ronan Smith

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of signing copies of If Memory Serves Me Wrong with my co-writer, wonderful Ronan Smith. It was a gorgeous sunny day in Wicklow town – and we got a great…

Read more

If Memory Serves me Wrong

It has been such a pleasure to co write this memoir of an extraordinary life with the actor/producer of Riverdance, Ronan Smith. And it’s publication day! To see the trailer click here

Tom Hickey RIP.

I was so sad to hear of the death of the actor Tom Hickey, on May 1st. I have such fond memories of interviewing him for the Irish Examiner back in 2002. Here is the piece…

Read more

Cork’s One City One Book.

I’m thrilled , and honoured to have been asked to Launch Cork’s One City One Book for 2021. Now in it’s 6th Year, this is a fabulous initiative, which encourages book loving Corkonians to read and…

Read more

Book Launch with Danielle McLaughlin

On February 4th, I was delighted to chat to Danielle McLaughlin, on a webinar, organized by The West Cork Literary Festival to launch her much anticipated debut novel, the Art of Falling. For details click here

Twelve Things I learned at the 2019 West Cork Literary Festival.

With the 2020 festival cancelled, I’m wishing I was in Bantry, and am remembering last year. Roll on July 2021! HERE ARE THE 12 THINGS I LEARNED:  1. John Boyne auditioned for Boyzone – and only…

Read more

Eulogy for Joy Almond. 3rd February 1922 – 16th May 2020

Joy was born in 1922 in Newcastle to Charles and Gladys Forster, a much wanted fourth child and first daughter. After a rich, if somewhat lonely childhood, spent between Wiltshire and her beloved Bamburgh, she left…

Read more

Margaret Daly. A Tribute

The first rule of author interviewing, is don’t, ever, be late. Especially if the writer has flown in and has a packed-out schedule for the day. But once, when I was due to meet the duo…

Read more

West Cork Literature Festival, 2018

I first attended the West Cork Literature Festival back in 2009 – appearing on a panel on ‘How To Get Published.’  I’ve been back every year since, in various roles, such as teacher, (In 2010, of…

Read more

Writers for Repeal

It’s been quite a week in Ireland. After a sometimes divisive campaign, we voted, overwhelmingly to repeal the eighth, and put an end to years of sadness for Irish women, forced to leave their country to…

Read more