Nora Connor

Annie M. P. Smithson (1873-1948) was one of Ireland's most beloved novelists, weaving tales of romance and nationalism during the nation's revolutionary period. A Dublin native who converted to Catholicism in her thirties, Smithson lived an extraordinary double life as both a dedicated nurse and acclaimed novelist. Her debut novel ‘Her Irish Heritage’ (1917) became an instant bestseller, launching a literary career that would produce twenty novels and numerous short stories. Smithson wrote with raw authenticity about Ireland's struggle for independence while serving as a member of Cumann na mBan and nursing wounded revolutionaries. Her work among Dublin's poorest communities as a Queen's Nurse informed her intimate portrayals of Irish life, while her own dramatic escape from prison during the Civil War rivals the plots of her romantic novels. Smithson's books, which include classics like ‘The Weldons of Tibradden’’ and ‘The Walk of a Queen,’ continue to captivate readers with their unique blend of passion, faith, and revolutionary spirit, cementing her place in Ireland's literary heritage.