Following Sunshine by Niamh McAnally – A voyage around the mind, around the world, around the heart.
Irish-born bestselling author, TV director, and youngest daughter of the late BAFTA award-winning actor, Ray McAnally, Niamh McAnally, known as The Writer on the Water, has travelled all over the world and lived and worked as a volunteer in many island nations in the Caribbean and the South Pacific.
In her upcoming honest and heart-warming memoir, Following Sunshine: A Voyage Around the Mind, Around the World, Around the Heart (September 12, 2024) Niamh shares the story of her liberating journey from being unemployed, homeless, and divorced in her fifties, to embarking on a global quest to find purpose through volunteer travel and ultimately finding a profound love that changed her life.
From volunteering for marine conservation projects on remote islands in Belize, Vanuatu, and Tonga, to exploring exotic destinations like Bora Bora, Palau, Fiji, and St Barths, Niamh takes readers on a captivating journey where each destination unveils a layer of her self-discovery.
If you are a romantic, be prepared for the most unexpected love story. In 2016 she helped a solo sailor crew his boat from Florida to the Bahamas. Although it was only supposed to last a month, Niamh soon realised she had not only found the life she loved but also the love of her life. She and Captain Gary have sailed as far north as Maine in the USA and to Bonaire off the northern coast of South America. With toes in the sand in Antigua, Captain and Crew became Husband and Wife. Many of her stories are inspired by her travels on land and at sea and she now lives on the Southwest Coast of Florida.
We found the book a heartwarming and introspective journey that beautifully captures the resilience of the human spirit in the pursuit of joy and meaning.
In 2020 Niamh founded an international writer’s group, with whom she meets monthly and has curated and contributed to an anthology of their work Stories of Place due out May 2025. Believing everyone has their own unique story to tell, Niamh also runs writer’s workshops, both in person and online, to encourage emerging talent.
This book is perfect for fans of adventure travel and romance, Following Sunshine also serves as a roadmap for the rest of us, inspiring us to awaken to the potential that lies within and choose a path truest to our being.
Advance Praise for Following Sunshine
“Gripping and heartfelt, Niamh’s beautifully written memoir [Following Sunshine] unfolds with warmth, courage, and a touch of cinematic magic. A truly brave, enriching read that will take you on a global adventure in pursuit of purpose, and leave you uplifted by the impact one person can have. A MUST-READ for anyone seeking inspiration and a deeper connection to the world.”– Liam Neeson
“A story of an ordinary woman doing an extraordinary thing. As Goethe said, ‘Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”—Jeremy Irons
“The memoir is more than a mere travelogue; it’s an introspective look at McAnally’s personal growth amid life’s challenges, including dealing with loss, divorce, and financial struggles. Her expressive language enhances the narrative, painting scenes with phrases that capture the transition of seasons and emotions…Following Sunshine resonates with those who have a zest for adventure and nature and readers interested in the introspective aspects of travel. This book is an invitation to experience the world through the eyes of a thoughtful and resilient explorer.” —Literary Titan
“Few people see all the things Niamh’s seen and even fewer can put pen to paper and record their experiences with such beautiful vividity. Niamh’s writing is stunning.” —Amanda Geard, author of The Midnight House, A Richard and Judy Book Club choice
“Niamh McAnally is a brave, fearless adventurer, who grabs life and lives it to the full, picking herself up when she falls and moving forward, always with hope in her heart. An uplifting read that will warm your heart.” —Sinead Moriarty, bestselling author of The Seven Letters
“‘I am a child of the ocean.’ As the person who’s guilty of introducing Niamh to the underwater world, I can truly say that her opening line speaks for itself. She embraced the aquatic world, and her stories of adventures driven by the seas are honest, open, and humorous. Dare to dream. Niamh did.” —Rory Golden, Titanic Explorer
“A brave, honest memoir, at times introspective, poignant, and often funny. McAnally tells her story with humour, empathy and intelligence.” —Caitlin Richard, Caribbean Compass Magazine
Poppy Watt