Born in Dublin, Felicity Hayes-McCoy graduated from UCD in the 1970s with a degree in English and Irish, before heading to the UK where she built a successful career as an actor and writer, working in theatre, radio, tv, and digital media. Her first books were actually children’s stories published in 2008 for O’Briens’ Panda Legends – Finn's Thumb and The Riddle – I actually remember my own children reading these!  From there she went onto non-fiction, such as ‘Enough is Plenty’ and then in 2016 she began publishing her gorgeous Finfarren Series.  

 

Known for her vivid portrayals of rural Irish life, she has become a beloved voice in contemporary literature, who has captivated readers with her enchanting storytelling and evocative descriptions. Through her books, she invites readers to immerse themselves in the charm and beauty of Ireland while exploring themes of community, family, and personal growth.

 

Her debut novel, "The Library at the Edge of the World," garnered critical acclaim and established her as an assured, confident voice. Set in the fictional village of Finfarran, the book explores the journey of Hanna Casey, a librarian striving to preserve her community's way of life. In subsequent novels, such as ‘The Month of Borrowed Dreams’, and my personal favourite, ‘The Transatlantic Book Club’, Felicity Hayes-McCoy continues to delve into the lives of the residents of Finfarran, crafting authentic and relatable characters and her ability to breathe life into these individuals has resonated with readers worldwide. ‘The Keepsake Quilters’, a stand alone novel tells the tale of 3 generations of women.  I read it last year, just after the death of my mother and whilst I sobbed as I read, I also felt comforted and reassured too, connected to a past and linked to the future – I was really sorry that I couldn’t pass it on to Mum, because I know she would have loved it and she was a tough critic!

 

Felicity Hayes-McCoy's writing style is often described as lyrical and immersive. Her prose weaves a vivid tapestry of sights, sounds, and emotions that transports readers to the heart of her narratives, where there is a strong sense of connection to the notion of ‘homeland’. Ireland is not just a place where the action happens. it's a character; the landscapes, the people, and the traditions all shape the stories and there is a deep sense of belonging and connection to the rich tapestry of Irish culture and society that she weaves into her tales.

 

Hayes-McCoy's contributions to contemporary popular fiction have earned her a dedicated following and through her eloquent storytelling and deep understanding of human nature, she invites readers on a heartfelt journey to the Irish countryside, where she explores universal themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery; evoking a sense of nostalgia and inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys.  Her work is like a warm embrace on a cold day, or basking in the garden in sun - it reminds us of the importance of community, love, and finding our place in the world.

 

What is the first book you bought yourself?
The King Must Die, Mary Renault’s novel about Theseus of Athens. I was about twelve and I bought it in Parsons bookshop on Baggot Street Bridge. Parsons was a Dublin institution, small, crowded, run by formidable women, and the haunt of writers like Brendan Behan and Patrick Kavanagh who I just knew as adults that got between me and the books. Looking back, I can see The King Must Die contains themes that occasionally crop up in my own novels, such as intersections between folklore, history, myth and matriarchy. I was raised on Cú Chulainn, Fionn Mac Cumhaill, and folktales told by my granny, so I imagine I chose it largely because of its blurb. But I also remember being grabbed by the cover design of the Four Square Books’ edition which, in 1960s Ireland, felt sophisticated as well as dramatic: and, though at the time I just read it as a page-turner, Renault’s storytelling subtly challenged 1960s assumptions about many subjects, from cultural colonialism to LGBT sexuality. (Had I been born later, I might have begun with The Hunger Games, which was inspired by The King Must Die.)

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Whatever it might be, I doubt if I’d have listened. That seems right to me now. You have to find your own way.

Did publishing your first book change your writing process?
In any medium you work in as a commissioned writer, your own requirements and deadlines have to dovetail with those of a team. In radio and TV, where I began, everything is driven by production processes, so it wasn’t hard to slot into the rhythms of publishing. In a way it felt easier because, with books, you don’t face the horrors of having to salvage your creation at the last minute when an actor’s dropped out or the overseas location budget’s been slashed.

What were you most wrong about when you imagined being a writer?
I didn’t imagine the mental and physical stamina writing itself requires, and I didn’t realise that authors are expected to get out and push their books. Before becoming a writer, I trained and worked as an actor, so speaking in public, hitting marks and being on camera doesn’t faze me. But actors rehearse, and they speak lines written for them by writers. It’s a lot harder when you have to come up with things on the hoof. You get used to it, but I know I’m not the only author who’s gone blank when asked the name of the book I’m there to promote!

Which 3 books do you think everyone should read?
I never know how to answer this one, so I won’t try. I think one reason it’s worth reading Shakespeare is to ask yourself why his plays seem to be timeless and universal.

Do you have a favourite book to gift and if so, what is it?
It changes depending on circumstances and who I’m giving it to. I have friends to whom I give secondhand copies of Ngaio Marsh or Georgette Heyer in times of crisis – it’s a version of bringing round chocolate cake or filling a hot water bottle and, when I’m feeling crap, it’s reciprocated. Often, when I read something newly-published, I’m so blown away that I want to pass it on. Cristín Leach’s Negative Space did that to me. So did Caroline Dodds Pennock’s On Savage Shores.
 

What song always gets you on the dance floor? I’m a terrible dancer.
Mostly, you’ll find me lurking in the loo when the music begins. This is particularly sad because my husband has spent a lifetime in the music business.

Tea or Coffee?
Tea. Gallons of it. I live partly in inner-city London and partly in the West Kerry Gaeltacht, both places where, traditionally, strong brews keep you going. I’ve even got Marbh le Tae. Marbh Gan É on a mug.
 

Do you Google yourself?
I never did before I began writing books. Now I do occasionally, to keep track of social media. I’ve got Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts, each of which tends to reach different kinds of readers or keep me in touch with different groups of friends. Booksellers, authors and librarians are brilliant at online networking, great fun, and immensely supportive of each other.


Why do you love Chapters?!
Probably for the same reason I fell in love with Parsons as a child. I’m a sucker for indie bookshops with heart and attitude, and for booksellers who really know books. Chapters’ mix of new and secondhand books wasn’t unusual in the Dublin I grew up in. I think it produces the perfect ambience, and adding plants and coffee upstairs is genius.