Beginner’s pluck: Cork-born author Barbara Leahy

Barbara Leahy: 'I always wanted to write a novel. During covid, I thought, 'it’s now or never'.'

As a child, Barbara read anything and everything.

“I read my own books, my brothers’ books, and everything in the bookcase at home,” she says.

“I loved English but becoming a writer wasn’t on the horizon. It was a distant dream.”

Since leaving university, Barbara has worked full-time in admin — fitting writing in during evenings and at weekends. 

“That gave me the luxury of a regular income,” she says.

Fifteen years ago, Barbara joined a creative writing class in the College of Commerce in Cork, and, receiving encouragement, moved on to the Munster Literature Centre.

“I met other writers there, including Danielle McLaughlin.”

We set up our own writing group and have been meeting every two weeks for the past 14 years.

She started with short stories, with some success at competitions.

“A couple of stories were broadcast through the Francis McManus Award,” she says, “but I always wanted to write a novel. During covid, I thought, ‘It’s now or never.’”

Barbara met her agent, Ger Nichol, and publisher, Deirdre Nolan, at the final of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair in 2023.

Who is Barbara Leahy?

Place of Birth: Cork

Education: Regina Mundi College in Douglas; University College Cork, BA in English and Mathematical Studies, and MA in English.

Home: Cork — “I live 10 minutes from my childhood home.”

Family: Mother, three brothers. “Dad died in 2018.”

The day job: Insurance admin

In another life: “I’d be a museum curator. I love the power of everyday objects to connect us with the past.”

Favourite writers: Danielle McLaughlin; Jean Rhys; Hilary Mantel; Maggie O’Farrell; Daphne Du Maurier.

Second book: “It’s with my agent.”

Top tip: “Do it now. The conditions are always impossible. You have to start and keep going.”

Instagram: @barbaraleahywriter

The debut

Rembrandt’s Promise

Eriu: €16.99

An impoverished widow, Geertje is a nursemaid in Rembrandt’s house; and when his wife dies, she becomes his mistress. Will he keep his promise to her?

“I always loved Rembrandt’s story,” says Barbara. “It was in the bookcase at home.

“And later, when I discovered he lived with another woman for seven years, I really wanted to tell her story.

“She was illiterate and had no way of speaking up.”

The verdict: Wonderfully researched and beautifully written.