Author Stefanie Preissner on why there’s no place like home

Stefanie Preissner takes Siobhan Howe on a trip down memory lane in her native Mallow, and explains why the town will always be home to her.

I walk into The Hibernian Hotel on Main St in Mallow 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time. It’s the start of summer and the place is teeming with First Holy Communion kids and their families.

I ask at the front desk if there’s a quiet place to meet someone, explaining I’m doing an interview. “Oh are you meeting Stefanie Preissner? She’s in the bar,” says the staff member, adding with pride that Stefanie is famous.