Ann Murtagh
Ann lives in Kilkenny and is an active member of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society. She has published three children’s books with The O’Brien Press: The Sound of Freedom, The Kidds of Summerhill, and The Climbing Boys. Most recently, Ann has completed a novel for adults set in Kilkenny in 1600.
Who was the first writer you ever obsessed over?
Enid Blyton was the first writer whose work captured my imagination. I was completely obsessed with her adventure and school stories.
What book have you reread more than any other?
As a child, my most frequently reread book was Alice Through the Looking Glass. As an adult, it has been Pride and Prejudice. There was a large mirror over the mantelpiece in my granny’s house, and I would often imagine another world beyond it, just like Alice’s, where I could have all sorts of adventures.
Pride and Prejudice was first introduced to me in secondary school by a wonderful English teacher, and I have reread it many times since then.
What’s the strangest book you’ve ever loved?
One of the most unusual books I have loved is An Accidental History of Tudor England by Steven Gunn and Tomasz Gromelski. Ironically, by reading about how people died in Tudor England, you gain valuable insight into how they lived.
Who is your favourite contemporary writer?
My favourite contemporary writer is Kevin Barry. I was particularly taken with The Heart in Winter, which the author describes as ‘a western, with Irish accents’. Beyond the originality of the story, what stands out for me are his lyrical writing style and his skill at characterisation.
What’s your favourite film adaptation of a book?
My favourite film adaptation of a book is That They May Face the Rising Sun by John McGahern. Funnily enough, I was not particularly keen on the book itself, but I found the film extraordinary. I loved how the lakeside setting was brought to the fore and how convincingly the characters were portrayed. Despite the sleepy, rural backdrop, the film conveyed a sense that, while it might seem that not much happens, it is actually a place where everything happens.
What’s the best short story you’ve ever read?
The best short story I have ever read is Fjord of Killary by Kevin Barry. This story was published years ago in The New Yorker. Set in a rundown hotel in the west of Ireland—particularly in the bar—it resonated with me. My parents owned a pub in County Meath, and we lived above it while I was growing up. Reading this story, I laughed until I cried.
Tell us about a book that didn’t live up to the hype.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown is a book that, for me, did not live up to its reputation. I found the dialogue awkward and the characters unconvincing.
Do you have a favourite poem?
My favourite poem tends to change over time. At the moment, it is Maria Edgeworth 1847 by Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin. During the famine, American porters refused payment for loading Indian grain onto ships bound for Ireland. Maria Edgeworth heard about this and knitted a scarf for each of the men, then sent them to a friend in America for distribution. This act of kindness inspired Eiléan’s beautiful poem.
What are you reading right now?
I am reading Martin Hayes' memoir Shared Notes. My son read it, was enthusiastic about it, and passed it on to me. I am thoroughly enjoying it so far. I have just finished two other books that I also really enjoyed: Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood and The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.
Find out more about Ann Murtagh’s writing on Goodreads.
