Novel set in Mayo county town gains international recognition
AN acclaimed Irish Novel titled ‘He Used to Be Me’ which is set in Castlebar has garnered worldwide fame.
New Island Books announced that ‘He Used to Be Me’ the beautiful and devastating novella by acclaimed Irish poet Anne Walsh-Donnelly, who lives in Mayo, is set for publication in Greece with publisher Koukkida.
First published in Ireland in spring 2024, ‘He Used to Be Me’ has already made an international impact.
This new Greek edition follows successful rights sales to Poland’s ArtRage and China’s One-Way Street, affirming the novella’s global appeal.
Mariel Deegan, managing director of New Island Books, commented: “We’re thrilled to see He Used to Be Me resonating with readers around the world.
"Anne Walsh-Donnelly’s story of Daft Matt is universally powerful, and these new translation deals are a testament to that.”
Author Anne Walsh Donnelly expressed her joy at the novel’s continued journey.
“I’m deeply honoured that He Used to Be Me, a story set in Mayo, has struck a chord with readers beyond Ireland. Its translation into multiple languages affirms my belief that the emotional truths at the heart of the novel are universal and speak to our shared human experience.”
Upon its Irish release, the novel received glowing praise from some of Ireland’s most respected literary voices
Dermot Bolger called it “a sublime achievement.”
Nuala O’Connor described it as “stuffed with both humour and deep poignancy.”
Alice Kinsella hailed it as “an exquisite piece of art.”
He Used to Be Me follows Daft Matt, as he wanders the streets of Castlebar in search of Devil’s feet – the claw marks of the cága, or jackdaws, who have spoken to him since he was a boy.
Yet Matt is anything but daft. In lyrical prose, Walsh Donnelly explores the complex workings of Matt’s inner life: how he deals with the loss of his twin brother as a child, navigates the carefree days of early manhood and copes with the aftermath of the horse-riding accident that would see him incarcerated in the care system for the next thirty years.
Richly imagined and beautifully written, this is a story for anyone who chooses to look beyond the surface of things.
Author Anne Walsh-Donnelly has been shortlisted for the Fish International Prize and the Frances MacManus competitions for her fiction.
Ann has also been shortlisted for the Hennessy New Irish Writing Award and the International Poetry Book Awards for her poetry.
Poetry Ireland in conjunction with Mayo Arts Office, appointed Anne as Poet Laureate for the town of Belmullet, in 2021.