'I'm not going to talk to people as if they're thick': Why we all worship the Gaff Goddess

Cork woman, Laura de Barra has become a DIY sensation and her earthy, down-to-earth edicts have won her legions of fans.

Remember those dense how-to manuals of the past? The text-heavy ones that were about as enjoyable as perusing a telephone directory?

Well, the sassy and visually appealing new household repairs guide penned by a Cork woman is the opposite of all that. Since Gaff Goddess: Simple Tips and Tricks to Help You Run Your Home hit the shelves last month, Laura de Barra has become a DIY (or, as she styles it herself, She-IY) sensation and her earthy, down-to-earth edicts have won her legions of fans.