Beginner’s pluck: 'The Faerie Isle' is a magical book to treasure

Síne Quinn's stunningly beautiful book tells of 16 types of Faeries in Irish folklore, giving us facts and history followed by imaginative retellings and new stories

Síne Quinn: 'I always had a few ideas for books. I’d tentatively try things and send bits to friends.'

Chatty and curious as a child, Síne has always been a massive reader.

“I go into a zone,” she says, “and can feel my blood-pressure reduce.”

She didn’t know you could work with books until she was finishing college in 1995, when a cousin got a job with Attic Press.

“She said you could be an editor. That was my lightbulb moment,” she says.

Síne moved to America and worked in publishing for two-and-a-half years. 

I came home when the Celtic Tiger started, and worked for different publishing companies, including O’Brien’s and Veritas, as well as freelance.

“Years later I set up Beehive, a general interest list with Veritas. I also worked freelance for Gill, and directly with authors and agents on reader’s reports. I started as commissioning editor for Merrion in February.”

After editing a lifestyle book in 2015, Síne ghostwrote a few books: “And I always had a few ideas for books. I’d tentatively try things and send bits to friends.”

In 2020, Síne wrote Holy Shocking Saints. Afterwards, the idea of dark faeries followed her around.

Who is Síne Quinn?

Date/place of birth: 1972/ Dublin.

Education: Newpark comprehensive; Sallynoggin, Foundation course in Art; Trinity College, Dublin, Theology. In 2011, MPhil in Children’s Literature.

Home: Dublin.

Family: Husband Martin Bradley, twins Daniel and Benjamin, 20. Dog, Poppy: “She’s really grumpy.”

The day job: Commissioning editor with Merrion: “I also run book clinics for Children’s Books Ireland.”

In another life: “When I was 4 or 5, I saw Fossetts Circus. I’d love to be brave enough to be a tightrope walker.”

Favourite writers: Albert Camus; David Almond; Claire Keegan; Emma Donoghue; Colum McCann; Sarah Crossan; Patricia Forde.

Second book: “I’m trying to continue a children’s novel, and I’m researching a non-fiction book.”

Top tip: “Lots of tea; lots of fresh air. Keep a notebook and don’t beat yourself up. Just do what you can.”

Instagram: @Sinelquinn

The debut

The Faerie Isle 

(Illustrated by Dermot Flynn)

Walker Books, €16.99/ Kindle, €13.31

This stunningly beautiful book tells of 16 types of Faeries in Irish folklore, giving us facts and history followed by imaginative retellings and new stories. 

Along with the pooka and changeling there are Faerie Cats and dogs, giants, and mermaids.

The verdict: Magical, a book to treasure.