Mary Arrigan facts for kids

Mary Arrigan is an Irish writer, artist, and illustrator. She is well-known for creating exciting books for children. Mary was born on February 15, 1943, in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. Her stories and artwork have delighted young readers for many years.

About Mary Arrigan

Mary Arrigan was born Mary Nolan in Newbridge, County Kildare. Her parents were Brendan Nolan and Marian Maher. She had one brother who later became a doctor. Mary went to school at Holy Family Convent in County Kildare. She then continued her studies at the National College in Dublin. She also attended University College Dublin.

In 1968, Mary married Emmet Arrigan. They had three children together. Before becoming a full-time writer, Mary worked as an art teacher in secondary schools. She also showed her artwork in exhibitions for eighteen years.

Her Journey to Writing

Mary Arrigan started her writing career by creating short stories. These stories were published in magazines and broadcast on the radio. Her passion for storytelling grew. By 1994, she began writing full-time. Mary writes her books in both English and Irish. Her wonderful stories have been translated into ten different languages. This means children all over the world can enjoy her books!

Awards and Recognition

Mary Arrigan has received several awards for her amazing work. These awards celebrate her talent as a writer and artist.

• The Sunday Times CWA Award, 1991
• The Hennessy Award, 1993
• International White Ravens Award, 1997
• Bisto Merit Award, 2000