The February Blarney & District Person of the month is Michelle McDonagh Galway born Michelle moved to Blarney more than 15 years ago where she lives with her husband Greg and three children Lucy, Jake and Kiana.
An Irish journalist with over twenty-five years’ experience, including twelve years as a staff reporter at the Connacht Tribune, Michelle has written for numerous Irish papers, including The Irish Times but long harboured the dream of penning a novel. In January 2020 she finally bit the bullet and started a Faber Academy online ‘write your novel’ course, pulling back from journalism for a time to focus on her writing, and next month her debut novel will arrive in Irish bookstores opening up a whole new chapter for the talented writer. ‘There’s something I have to tell you’ tells the story of Glenbeg Farm and opens with the discovery of the bodies of wealthy matriarch Ursula Kennedy and her farmer husband Jimmy who are pulled from the slurry pit, sending shockwaves throughout the family and community. Everyone has questions, including the gardaí. Was this a tragic accident? Or is there more to it than meets the eye? The book, published by Hatchette Books Ireland, who fought off stiff competition from other publishers to win the rights, has received stunning author reviews from literary alumni including Sheila O’Flanagan and Jeanine Cummins among others.
Michelle’s new novel will be launched on April 19th in Dubray Books, Galway, followed by a book signing in Waterstones Cork on Saturday April 22nd at 3pm. The local launch, date to be confirmed, will take place in Blarney Woollen Mills strengthening Michelle’s unique link to the village as the proud granddaughter-in-law of the late Christy Kelleher.