Jersey-based author captures rural Irish life in debut book

Sunday 06 October 2024

A Jersey-based Irish author has released a collection of short stories set in 1980s and 1990s rural Ireland, with all proceeds going to a charitable organisation that supports islanders in need.

Yvonne Heavey, who moved to the island from Ireland 23 years ago, said she hopes her debut novel will give readers a “taste of the Irish midlands” where community and simplicity were at the forefront.

The anthology, called 'The Wake of Yer Man', draws on Yvonne's experiences growing up in the Irish midlands and aims to showcase the strong sense of community that defined village life before the rise of modern technology.

She said: "What I want people to take away is that the simplicity has such great power."

Pictured: Yvonne Heavey (left) and Grainne McGinley who interviewed the author at a book launch event at Santander Work Cafe on Thursday 3 October. 

"Growing up in rural Ireland, community was everything. Without it, we wouldn't have survived," explained Yvonne.

"When I go back now, I see that same connection among people, and it's something I think has been lost in many places today."

The book features eleven semi-autobiographical tales that she has written over the last 15 years, including the title story which won the Jersey Festival of Words short story competition last year.

"The stories are based around the midlands of Ireland, in a community of about 100 houses," Yvonne explained.

"It's almost like a time capsule before we all went into that world of mobile phones."

The anthology explores themes of childhood innocence, class dynamics, and the role of the Catholic Church in community life – with stories told from the perspective of young people navigating the changing world around them.

Unlike some contemporary Irish literature, Yvonne's book takes a more positive view of the Church's influence.

"The book heavily focuses on the Catholic religion in almost a romantic way," she said.

"This book looks at the angle of how the church was amazing, the nuns were amazing."

Yvonne is donating the proceeds from her book to St Vincent de Paul, an international charity and food bank linked to the Roman Catholic Church.

Locally, the charity supports over 450 families in Jersey with food, heating costs, and other essential needs.

"I felt it was important to give back to the community here," said Yvonne.

"St Vincent de Paul does incredible work, and this is my way of helping."

Yvonne is currently working on her next project, a coming-of-age novel about a country girl moving to Dublin.

'The Wake of Yer Man' is available now on Amazon.