Ballina man's debut novel is published

While he studied dentistry in University College Cork, Neil Tully also pursued and cultivated his interest in writing, the fruit of which now comes in the shape of the Ballina man’s debut novel, entitled The Visit.

Neil’s love of writing stems from a young age. He grew up in The Moorings, Ballina, and attended The Quay School and St Muredach’s College locally. His mother Ann and his late father Tim – a former Garda Superintendent in Ballina – encouraged creativity among their children. Neil and his siblings had a gifted streak when it came to music, writing and art. So, once he qualified as a dentist in UCC, Neil went on to complete an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick.

Now living in Cork City with his wife, where he practises as a dentist, Neil has written short stories previously but The Visit is the 36-year old’s first foray into something more substantial.

Set in June 1963, at the time of John F Kennedy’s visit to New Ross, Neil completed extensive research from the start to ensure anachronistic integrity for his story. The narrative centres around Garda Sergeant Jim Field, who feels a guilty paternalism for Patrick Hatten, a young man struggling to find a job, a life and a purpose in a small-town Wexford community. Both are used to being on the fringes but while Jim is a romantic with bad health and regret, Patrick is full of anger and action, and his actions could have devastating effects.

Renowned author Joseph O’Connor has lauded Neil’s first major work, calling it "an exquisite and powerful debut novel from a compelling new voice in Irish fiction", and Wexford author Colm Tóibín has given it the thumbs up also, calling it "…brilliant and intriguing".

The Visit will be published in hardback this coming Thursday by Eriu, and will be available to purchase in bookshops and online.