Historical Fiction Author June O'Sullivan joins the Kerry Creators Series

“The Kerry Creators Series grew out of a passion to connect with other writers, illustrators and photographers with links to the Kingdom. Kerry’s motto is “Comhar, Cabhair, Cairdeas,” which translates to “Cooperation, Help, and Friendship” and I can think of no better description of the people in this place that, as a blow-in, I’ve come to love.”

— Amanda Geard

June O’Sullivan is from West Limerick which is as close to Kerry as you can get without crossing the border. She moved to Portmagee in 2014 with her husband who’s a native and settled into life as a blow-in. She contributed three children to the local national school and commuted a lovely scenic drive to Killarney to teach for a number of years until she decided to take a break from that and focus on writing.

Her debut novel is a historical fiction story set on Skellig Michael and tells the story of a lighthouse keeper and his family in the 1860s (Ed note: we will all be keeping an ear to the ground for news on this brilliant-sounding novel, which I believe is out on submission with a fabulous agent - congratulations, June!). She also writes flash fiction and short stories.

Q&A

1. You’re taking a writing break in a Kerry café … Where is it? What Kerry author would you be reading? And which Kingdom-inspired dish would you be absolutely unable to resist?

I would have to say The Bookshelf in Tralee, which I thought for a long time was actually a bookshop! It doesn’t have books but it has gorgeous brunches and coffee. I would be reading A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa and eating crab claws.

2. Which month do you love most in Kerry, and why?

I love September because the tourist traffic has quietened down but you still have lovely long evenings and sometimes good weather to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

3. Who would you rather share a pint of Guinness with: Tom Crean or John B. Keane? Tell us a little more!

That’s a tough one. I’d love to hear of Tom Crean’s adventures but I think I’d have to go with John B for all the interesting characters he met or invented.

4. Which is your favourite Kerry …

a. Beach? Ballinskelligs

b. Pub? Dick Mac’s in Dingle (Ed: find them on Insta @dickmacspub!)

c. Drive? Waterville to Sneem

d. Hike? Cnoc na dTobar

e. Bookshop? Quirkes in Cahersiveen

f. View? Bray Head to the Skelligs

5. If time travel allowed you to go back, visit the Blaskets, and give one item and one piece of advice to Peig Sayers, what would they be?

I would give her a dictaphone and tell her to stay in charge of her own story.

6. We’re lucky to have Ireland’s mightiest (and highest) peak right here in the county. Have you ever climbed Carrauntoohil? If so, how did it make you feel? If not … would you consider giving it a go?

I haven’t. Yet. But I’d love to some day.

7. If you could pick one thing the county could do without, and one thing that it must never, ever lose, what would you choose?

I think it could do without coach tours. It must never ever lose the warmth of its people.

8. Finally …

i. The reeks or the strand? The strand

ii. Dingle or Killarney? Dingle

iii. Blaskets or Skelligs? Skelligs

iv. Black or white pudding? Veggie - Clonakilty make a lovely one

v. Kerryman or Kerry’s Eye? Kerryman

vi. Hunter, Dubarry or good old Dunlop? Dunlop

vii. Rooster or Kerr’s Pink? Kerr’s Pink

viii. Turf or timber? Timber