I grew up on the south side of Dublin and had a really happy childhood. School out, I did a secretarial course, and launched myself into the work of business. And there were lots of jobs, a stint in the European Commission in Brussels, and then the setting up of Just Curtains, our interior design company which I run with my sister, Mary Lucherini.
Always interested in theatre, my granduncle Professor Liam OBriain, one of the founders of An Taibhdhearc Theatre in Galway, and also a writer, was an influence, but it was the family history on my mother's side which sparked my first foray into the world of the novel.
The romantic story of my grandparents who eloped to marry against the wishes of the family was described in my first book which still lies unpublished in a drawer. But I continued writing and finally I decided to publish THE MARRIED WOMAN, and established McGuinness Books with my husband, Arthur McGuinness. To make my scribbling worthwhile we decided to donate all the proceeds to LAURALYNN HOUSE CHILDREN'S HOSPICE AT THE CHILDREN'S SUNSHINE HOME, LEOPARDSTOWN, DUBLIN 18. To date we have published four books - THE MARRIED WOMAN, THE LIBERATED WOMAN, ODDS ON LOVE, AND WHO IS FAYE? and have donated €120,000.00 between sales and donations to the LauraLynn. We are very happy to be associated with this most deserving charity which was established by Jane and Brendan McKenna who tragically lost their only two daughters, Laura and Lynn. It was their dream to build a Children's Hospice in memory of their girls and at last that dream has been realised and LauraLynn House will open in September 2011.
There were many people associated with the publication of these books, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my friends in the Wednesday Group. My editor, Muriel Bolger. My proofreader Vivien Hughes. Yvonne and Martin, from Martone Press, and most especially Mags Moran of Cyclone Couriers, who was the person who very generously agreed that their company would deliver all the books for us free of charge, and to whom we are truly grateful. Also all family, friends, and business colleagues who helped by buying books and donating money to the fund. /P>
My next book THE RED CARPET has just been launched and we hope that sales of the book will increase the figure raised to date. Needless to say, none of this could possibly have been achieved without the love and help of my darling husband, Arthur.
Fran
