The Irish novelist Maeve Binchy, most widely known for her books “A Circle of Friends” and “Tara Road”, has passed away in Dublin following a short illness.
Binchy passed away in a Dublin hospital with her husband, fellow author, Gordon Snell, by her side.
During her prolific career Binchy sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Her works include dozens of novels, novellas, collections of short stories and non-fiction. Popular novels such as “Circle of Friends”, “The Lilac Bus”, and “Tara Road” were adapted as Hollywood movies.
Binchy began her writing career as a journalist, with the position of woman’s editor at the Irish Times before moving on to the newspaper’s London desk. During her time in London she wrote her first novel “Light a Penny Candle”, in 1982, which became a bestseller.
The Dublin writer was included on the list of Britain’s top ten most popular writers and featured on the New York Times’ Bestseller List. She also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1999 and “Tara Road” was featured on Oprah Book Club.
Although she had announced her retirement in 2000 Binchy continued to write.
Two years ago with the publication of her latest novel “Minding Frankie” she announced that she would be unable to tour the US with her newest publication due to ill health.
At the time she wrote on her website “My health isn’t so good these days and I can’t travel around to meet people the way I used to. But I’m always delighted to hear from readers, even if it takes me a while to reply. So I hope all my American readers enjoy the new book.”
Her death was announced by Vincent Browne on TV3 on Monday evening. Politicians, actors and fans have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the much loved author.
Ireland’s President Michael D Higgins tweeted “RIP Maeve Binchy. Our country mourns.”
Music mogul Louis Walsh tweeted “RIP Maeve Binchy. The writer Maeve Binchy has died following a short illness, aged 72. RETWEET FOR RESPECT!#MaeveBinchy”.
Author Anne Rice tweeted “Maeve Binchy has died. We've lost another beloved writer. So sorry to hear it."
Sheila O‘Flanagan tweeted “So sad to hear of Maeve Binchy's passing. A warm, wonderful woman and an inspiration in so many ways.”
Meath East TD Regina Doherty posted "Godspeed Maeve Binchy RIP lovely warm gentle lady brought much joy through all her work."
Recently Binchy wrote an article for the Irish Times Healthy Age supplement reflecting “on lessons of a lifetime”.
She wrote about aging saying “The great thing about getting older is that you become more mellow. Things aren’t as black and white and you become much more tolerant. You can see the good in things much more easily, rather than getting enraged as you used to do when you were young.
“I am much more understanding of people than I used to be when I was young – people were either villainous or wonderful. They were painted in very bright colours. The bad side of it, and there is a corollary to everything, is that when we get older, we fuss more. I used to despise people who fussed.”
She continued “Another good thing is that you value your friends more as you get older: you’re not in any kind of competitive relationship with them any more, wishing to succeed or show off, or impress others.
“You value people just for themselves… I’ve found growing older most extraordinary. I thought inside you’d change and you’d start thinking like an old person, but I don’t think inside I’ve changed at all. I’ve just become slightly more tolerant of everybody, which has to be good.”
The author ended by saying “I’ve been very lucky and I have a happy old age with good family and friends still around.”
Three years ago Maeve Binchy took part in a “Meet the Author” interview for the promotion of her novel “Heart and Soul”. Here the author talks about her philosophy on life.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.exmarine54 | Aug 01, 2012, 01:23 PM EDT
Three years ago Christmas, I bought my kids grandma a copy of "Light a Penny Candle", thinking that I had found a great book for her to read and enjoy in her later years...After I gave it to her, she laughed and said..."Oh I've been reading Maeve for a long time"...I felt like an eejit for a short while, but more fortunately I started to read the novel and so loved the characters and the story, and the writer, that I got all of her books and caught myself reading them IN ORDER of how she wrote them, not knowing how many of her characters returned in future books...It is indeed sad to hear of her passing, as much as hearing that "Minding Frankie" would be her last book. And that book was like a veritable homecoming, seeing so many of her previous characters back again and wanting to ask them questions about how their lives had gone and what were they doing....her books were so engaging, and yet so instructive to women (my take) about what NOT to do with their life, and whom NOT to date or marry....sweet/sad/sometimes tragic lessons, but always the great AUNT telling you how life should/could/might be done or not done...and always,always,,,telling you that your loving relationships were truly the ONLY thing to care and embrace in this life of ours.
jamieLM | Aug 01, 2012, 10:08 AM EDT
I'm so sorry to hear about her passing. I've enjoyed reading all of her wonderful books and I will miss this beautiful author. Rest in peace, Maeve, and thank you for your excellent contributions to many hours of pleasurable reading.
oldboreen | Aug 01, 2012, 08:53 AM EDT
By chance, whilst recovering from cancer surgery eight years ago,I discovered Maeve Binchy. Not an author I would have considered reading in other circumstances,she provided the perfect distraction at a time when I struggled to come to terms with a very uncertain future.Thank you Maeve. May you rest in peace.
IrelandNorth | Aug 01, 2012, 07:09 AM EDT
Lovely woman - gentle soul! Saw her many years ago on the Late Late Show (under Gabriel Byrne's stewardship), where she talked very engagingly about how she love meeting people at book signings and elsewhere, and about how she found it quite impossible to find anyone uninteresting. Ar dheis Dei go raibh a h'anam!
irishcoffeekid | Jul 31, 2012, 11:15 PM EDT
What sad news. She was a great writer and a great character. We'll light that penny candle and remember her on Tara Road - go neiri on bothair leat. She'll be missed..
rugbyplayer | Jul 31, 2012, 04:08 PM EDT
Goodbye, too soon, to a wonderful woman and novelist.
KerryGold | Jul 31, 2012, 03:52 PM EDT
Light a penny candle - The candle will burn brightly for you Meave in Ireland and elsewhere tonight. You were a gem of a writer, you and your stories will be missed. Heaven has another angel. RIP.
foxtrotwinnie | Jul 31, 2012, 03:09 PM EDT
I am so saddened to hear of Meave Benchy's death. She was a wonderful writer, I loved her books, she will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.
manhattan | Jul 31, 2012, 02:28 PM EDT
My favorite book of hers is Tara Road. Every book she wrote was a wonderful story. Oh how I will miss her. May she rest in peace.
Kells46 | Jul 31, 2012, 02:23 PM EDT
What a beautiful lady. Such a wonderful ambassador for Ireland and God knows we are very very short of them!!!! She was an inspiration to us all. God speed Maeve to that library in the sky. Just imagine the gathering of all the Irish writers who have moved on waiting to greet her.
tucsondub | Jul 31, 2012, 01:54 PM EDT
My first Maeve Binchy book to read was “Light a Penny Candle” and I was hooked on Maeve’s books after that. The mother’s name was Eileen O’Connor the same as my birth name, so I really felt at home when I discovered that book. I have read all her books since and also listened to them on CD many times. The CDs are recorded to my IPod and I go to sleep at night listening to Maeve’s tales. Thank you Maeve Binchy for the hours of reading and listening pleasure. RIP.
mayoman | Jul 31, 2012, 01:19 PM EDT
Binchy was a very fine writer. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.
ProudCanadian | Jul 31, 2012, 12:12 PM EDT
Rest in peace Ms Binchy. We have lost a great writer. I have read all of her books and enjoyed everyone of them. She seemed very genuine. She will be missed.
borefield | Jul 31, 2012, 11:16 AM EDT
May she rest in Peace. She brought countless hours of good story telling to so many people. I read all her books. She will be remembered with love and missed dearly.
elfrisby | Jul 31, 2012, 11:02 AM EDT
I have been reading Maeve Binchy for years. I actually discovered her at a rummage sale.Inside the book was a Bookcrossing.com sticker in it. It was read by a customer from a coffee shop from Maryland. She will be missed. Love her writing. Eileen L. Frisby, Milwaukee, WI.
boydshield | Jul 31, 2012, 10:53 AM EDT
Maeve Binchy was an inspiration to all, in the way she wrote and the subjects she chose to write about. She will be sadly missed, but I hope her books continue to live on. If you have never read one, pick up Tara Road or Minding Frankie. They are beautiful, as was she.
Sparklet | Jul 31, 2012, 10:42 AM EDT
I'm stunned and shocked. I just cried when I heard. I love Maeve and have all her books. Lovely, lovely lady, and such a loss.
kfelchsmith | Jul 31, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
The news of Maeve's death is like learning of the passing of a dear friend. I have read all her novels and always wished the story would continue past the ending. Ten years ago while visiting Ireland, I learned she and her husband had stayed at the same B&B, so II wrote her a fan letter. She replied and I will always treasure that note but most especially her generosity of spirit. Rest in peace Maeve. Condolences to her family.
joan1954 | Jul 31, 2012, 10:16 AM EDT
Ah Maeve you kept me up many a night laughing at the Shenannigans of your characters. Still to this day I understand the simple folk of "Scarlet Feather" and "Circle of Friends" among others. Through your books, I felt I knew you so dear Maeve Rest in Peace.
donal1951 | Jul 31, 2012, 10:16 AM EDT
Maeve Binchy's passing removes from this world a popular writer whose fans looked forward to each new book and often enjoyed rereading an old favourite. RIP Ms Binchy, may your memory be eternal.
TisEyerish | Jul 31, 2012, 10:00 AM EDT
The world will definitely miss Maeve Binchy and her wonderful talent for taking ordinary people and weaving extraordinary tales about them. I have read all of her novels...most of them multiple times. Rest in peace, Maeve...your legacy will live forever through your writings.
Ballyphehane1 | Jul 31, 2012, 09:54 AM EDT
Rest in Peace Maeve. Your books have kept me up many a late night down through the years as I literally could not put them down. Have always looked forward to sharing them with my daughter when she is old enough to appreciate the stories.