Shelly Mooney, Illustrator
Shelly Mooney is an artist, historian and writer from the sunny south-east of Ireland in County Wexford who spent her childhood surrounded by the rich history, as well as the myths and magic of Ireland’s wild and ancient landscape. She developed a passion for exploring the Irish countryside through camping trips with her family which brought her from one side of the country to the other. An ever-growing love for the works of Tolkien, and her understanding of how closely intertwined Ireland’s history and archaeology are with its myths, helped to further fuel her fascination with mythology.
In 2008, Shelly began her degree at University College Dublin, majoring in History and German while also taking classes in archaeology and horticulture. Once she graduated, given the uncertainty of the times, she entered the business world until her yearnings to bring her love for Ireland’s rich culture to a wider audience took precedence over other activities. In early 2020, she launched Tales From The Wood, sharing her adventures around the breath-taking sites of Ireland with the rest of the world through her photos, artwork and writing. An active participant in the Irish history and mythology community, Shelly is helping to ensure that the ancient stories and traditions of the Emerald Isle are preserved for future generations and not lost to the ages.
Shelly lives in the quiet countryside of North Wexford with her husband Kev and their two pets — Lola the German Shephard and Guinevere the silver cat. This peaceful life lends itself to her creative process as well as her horticulture love-affair in the garden and her love of music. She plays the piano, guitar, whistle & fiddle. She also enjoys long walks with Lola through the countryside, baking cakes and spending time with her family.
Contact information: www.talesfromthewood.ie
Instagram.com/talesfromthewood
facebook (facebook.com/talesfromthewood.ie)
Shirley Cavanaugh, Artist
Shirley Ann Cavanaugh has been an artist her whole life. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1972, she went on to fulfill her passion for creating as a studio artist. Speaking with Shirley, one notices her joy of possessing her fine gifts. "To me the act of creating each day is such a rewarding and meditative experience. I realized long ago that I had been given a great gift, which is the power to create art with my hands. Life is always filled with interesting creative adventures, and I will always be filled with the joy of creating."
She has felt it is an honor to work with her husband on this book. Her talent is evidenced within the pages where her efforts have created an interesting union between his poetic words and her art photography.
Over the years, they have traveled on many great adventures which they have both documented through their own artistic forms of expression. This book includes pictures of the images that represent the inspiration for the feelings and thoughts conveyed in Joseph Cavanaugh's poetry.
