Maeve Binchy, (28 May 1940 – 30 July 2012) Schoolteacher, novelist, playwright, short story writer, Irish Times journalist/columnist.

Lived at Glenageary, London and Dalkey. Married Gordon Snell.

A very prolific writer for all media, she was particularly successful in romantic novels and in compilations of short stories. Her work also included many stories especially written for TV, film, stage, and radio, and additionally some of her novels and short stories have been adapted by others as successful movies.

The photo (right) was taken at Finnegans pub, Dalkey, at the Dalkey Book Festival shortly before her death.

Comprehensive listing of her works here