The Tide is Coming, A Book of Coney Island in Sligo Bay is a stunning, illustrated book of prose and poetry recording the story of Coney Island. It is a story reflecting island life, which was typical of many of the wild islands off the coast of Ireland, many of which are no longer inhabited.

The author-transcribed interviews with island elder John McGowan that form part of this book, illuminates eight decades of Island life in the place his ancestors have inhabited since 1789. In addition, the insightful poetry and prose reflect the author’s thoughts as she moves across the island. Artist Catherine Fanning’s stunning paintings, line drawing and etchings together with haunting photography of James Fraher bring the book to life.

The book itself is a work of art; a striking cover collage is enhanced by the timeless quarter binding, head and tail bands, marker ribbon and rich-coloured endpapers. The sumptuous paper provides the perfect backdrop for the superb illustrations and exceptional writing.

The Tide is Coming is a wonderful history of an Irish island and a perfect gift.

The author
Maura Gilligan was born in India in 1954. The Coolera Peninsula became home for her in 1966. Maura’s writing has been broadcast on RTE Radio One’s Arts Show, The Darkness Echoing and Sunday Miscellany. Her work has been published in anthologies including Force 10, The Cormorant, Badal, Café Writers, Full Stop and Christmas Stories. In 2020, Maura was awarded ‘Artist in Residence’ by Sligo Arts Service. As part of her residency, she wrote and composed a song Lighters of The Channel Lights, which was recorded in collaboration with musicians Ray Coen, Deirdre Correia and Anna Houston and exhibited at Returning, in the Yeats Building, Sligo.