Description

Mary Catherine Reilly was born in Dublin in 1968. She grew up in Belmullet, Co. Mayo. She is proud of her Erris roots and Iniskea heritage but now lives in Westport, Co. Mayo.

She has an honours degree in English Literature and Philosophy, and a Higher Diploma in Education, both from NUI Galway. She has worked extensively in the arts since graduation. Mary also spent some years teaching English and Religion in London.

Mary moved to Westport in 2007. Since then she has been involved in many community projects such as Westival (Westport Arts Festival) and local radio. From starting at open mics, Mary has gone from strength to strength.

She has published three previous collections of poetry. The Woman Who Cries Songs, Le Grande Choure, 2014; Only Speak In Flowers, Le Grande Choure, 2016; Castle of Stars, CPR, 2023. Basket of Gems is her fourth collection.