09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Bestselling Dublin author to visit library in Waterford
The Dublin-born author has written 20 novels as well as three collections of short stories and two novels for children, all of which have been bestsellers both in Ireland and overseas.
These include The Hideaway, What Happened That Night, Isobel's Wedding and Suddenly Single, with sales topping eight million around the world. She is renowned for telling a good story and making her readers feel like they know the characters.
Ms O'Flanagan said: 'Ireland is famed for its writers, but for me growing up most of the novels were rural in both their settings and their points of view. I wanted to read books about people like me, who lived in the city… I also wanted to read novels in which the women were the heroes of their own stories and not simply there because they were someone's wife, mother or daughter.'
She is also a passionate advocate for increasing literacy and helping people who have come to reading late in life so that they can find the same pleasure in reading as she has.
Waterford City and County librarian Mary Conway, who founded the Writers at Waterford Libraries programme in 2023 said: 'Our series of writer events aims to unite readers and writers through free, accessible events in their local library branches.
'Waterford Libraries are presenting a line-up of unique and engaging voices in Irish writing and we are delighted to welcome Shelia O'Flanagan to Waterford as part of this.'
The event is free, but booking is essential. Phone Tramore Library on 051 849594 to reserve your place. The Writers at Waterford Libraries series is a programme of Waterford City and County Council Library Service.
