Author to Author
Home to an annual Matchmaking Festival, Lisdoonvarna is a pretty town on the edge of the Burren, a beautiful & wild landscape on the west coast of Ireland. The Burren landscape includes a raw & barren looking limestone topography, ancient ruins, a riot of wildflowers in the summer, a pretty perfumery with marvelous handmade fragrances & soaps, a chocolate factory & caves to explore. The ever popular Cliffs of Moher sit a few minutes ride from Lisdoonvarna & the Burren.
Our favorite hotel & restaurant, Sheedy’s Hotel & Restaurant, is owned & managed by John & Martina Sheedy. Their children Matthew & Roisin are both delightful, bright, talented & athletic young people. Roisin has already had one book published & is working on her second book. She appears to be following in the footsteps of some of the famous authors (Maeve Binchy & Seamus Heaney) who in the past made Sheedy’s their temporary home in County Clare.
Our friend & published author, Susan Moger has been in contact with Roisin & the two authors have chatted about their backgrounds, interests, inspirations for their books & how they go about writing.
The Girl Who Met a Talking Tree, Roisin’s first book was written & published before she reached 13 years of age – quite an accomplishment! Her next book is about Irish females in sport & in her research for the book Roisin has interviewed a dozen or more athletes & is grateful to them for their time in responding to her request for an interview. Roisin herself is a talented athlete & has played or is currently playing football, soccer, camogie, golf, tennis & does Irish Set Dancing.
Award Winning Hotel & Chef
Rosin’s parents’ hotel & restaurant is an elegant & beautiful 18th century family-run country house. Sheedy’s Hotel & Restaurant has received numerous awards & among them are: 2019 Georgina Campbell Guide Irish Breakfast Award, 2017 McKenna Top 100 Places to Stay in Ireland & TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels for Service & TripAdvisor 2016 Travelers’ Choice winner.
John & I have stayed at Sheedy’s Hotel many times over the last decade & always look forward to a return. The rooms are well appointed & elegant. John’s award winning breakfast is the best we’ve ever had & his dinners are beautifully presented & absolutely delicious. Martina takes top quality care of the hotel & John works his magic in the kitchen. It is no wonder that Sheedy’s Hotel & Restaurant have received so many awards over the years & is a beloved favorite of many who visit Ireland. While I was sitting in the lobby reading a book, a young family came into the hotel. The little girl looked around & exclaimed “It’s posh, isn’t it?” & I would have to agree!
So, readers, stay tuned for Roisin’s next publication about Irish female athletes & if you haven’t read Susan’s Of Better Blood, you’re in for a marvelous book when you do. Susan is also working on another novel so keep your eyes open for that.
If you plan to visit Ireland, I highly recommend some time exploring the Burren & a stay at Sheedy’s Hotel in Lisdoonvarna.
Next stop, the Loop Head Peninsula!