A CARRIGART woman has proven it’s never too late to follow a creative dream, with the publication of her first book at the age of 78-years-old.
Teresa McGinley, who has long held a love for storytelling, told the Donegal News that creative writing has been a hobby of hers since her retirement.
Over the years she has been involved with a number of creative writing groups and is currently a member of the Gallowglass Creative Writing Group in Milford. She has also been a regular contributor to the Little Gems Magazine.
Before turning her attention to writing, Teresa enjoyed a highly successful career in the craft industry.
She ran her own business, Irish Creations, producing upmarket ladies’ coats and capes made from mohair and tweed. Her work brought her regularly to wholesale fairs at the RDS in Dublin, before she later fancied going further afield.
Teresa travelled throughout the United States, attending craft fairs everywhere from Boston, Chicago and Milwaukee. Her designs were even worn by members of the prominent Kennedy family.
Born and raised in Donegal, when she was only 12 years old, Teresa moved to England near Bolton, where she received both her secondary and third-level education.
“It was a time when I would have been leaving school here unless I was going to travel and pay to get to either Milford or Letterkenny.”
She spent much of her early working life in secretarial roles, but always made sure to return home for the holidays.
During one particularly special trip home, Teresa met her future husband Jim at a dance in Termon. He too was working away in England at the time.
“He should have been away to London but he couldn’t get a flight.
“So you might say fate intervened there.”
The couple returned to England, with Jim travelling from London to the north of England to visit Teresa.
They have been married for close to 60 years and continue to enjoy their retirement together, attending weekly two-hand dancing classes in Letterkenny.
Together they raised two sons and a daughter, who were behind the special publication of her first book.
Teresa typed the first draft of her book in 2018. The collection, The Three Cats of Happydale Farm, includes three stories and is based on cats she has owned throughout the years. The three charming cats were named Bessie, Boomerang and Cheeky.
The eldest cat the McGinley family owned lived to 25 years of age and was sadly put to sleep just a few months ago. A special dedication in the book is made to Boomerang.
Unknown to Teresa, her children surprised her by having the manuscript turned into a beautifully produced hardback book.
“At some stage they must have sneaked away the script and that’s how they made it into a book,” she laughed.
Teresa said she was completely taken aback by the gesture.
“I didn’t know at all until they presented me with four copies,” she said.
With the help of Browne Printers they have since published many more copies, which make the perfect stocking filler this Christmas.
The Three Cats of Happydale Farm is now available locally from The Workhouse in Dunfanaghy, Gifts Go Leor in Carrigart, The Four Masters Bookshop in Donegal Town and Bookmark in Letterkenny.
