Clodagh Finn: Time to celebrate the first Irishwoman to sell books by the million

Ethel Lilian Boole, author of the international bestseller 'The Gadfly', was born in Cork, even if the city doesn’t make enough of that glorious connection

Cork-born Ethel Lilian Voynich (nee Boole), daughter of George Boole., was a publishing sensation.

Here’s a great quiz question; no sneaky Googling now. Who was the first female Irish writer to sell books by the million?

Double points to anyone who answers Ethel Lilian Boole, author of the international bestseller The Gadfly. She was born in Cork, even if the city doesn’t make enough of that glorious connection.