Sadhbh Devlin
Sadhbh Devlin doesn’t remember ever having to learn how to read, because she was lucky enough to have parents who read to her so much when she was very young that she somehow absorbed the ability from them before she ever set foot in school. When she did start school, however, she discovered that while she loved reading, she absolutely loathed the act of writing. Throughout her entire education she was often in trouble in class for not finishing her work or only writing ‘half-answers’. Eventually, she realised that writing for school and writing stories were two entirely different things and that, if she gave it a go, she might quite enjoy the latter after all. Happily, she did! She loves writing books for young children which are inspired by family relationships, play and imagination and stories for older readers inspired by Irish mythology and folklore.
Two of Sadhbh’s picture books, Geansaí Ottó (Otto’s Sweater) and Amuigh Faoin Spéir (Out Under the Sky), both published by Futa Fata, have won awards and been adapted as outdoor story-trail exhibitions in several stunning locations around Ireland. She loves that these trails bring families on reading adventures together in the great outdoors. Her book An Fia sa Choill (The Deer in the Woods), published by Futa Fata, was shortlisted for an An Post Irish Book of the Year Award in 2025. It was the first children’s book in the Irish language to have ever been shortlisted in the history of the awards, and the first book written in Irish to be shortlisted for an award outside of the Irish language category.
Sadhbh lives near the sea in Co. Wicklow with her husband, twin daughters and a small but very cheeky black cat named Pico.
