Author Hannah Ireland
Author Hannah Ireland
  • I watched the film adaptation of Shirley Valentine a lot as a teenager. It inspired my love of travel and made me feel that I could attempt it alone if I needed to. At the age of 23, I went to live in New Zealand by myself. Shirley’s strength to change her life remains an inspiration (yes, I do know she is a fictional character!).
  • When I was 10 years old, our family moved to Brittany. I had to pick up French pretty quickly in order to get through secondary school! Our house hadn’t been lived in since 1940, so it was a big adventure. We spent six months sleeping on the kitchen floor during the renovations, and my three siblings and I enjoyed many happy hours exploring the surrounding fields and streams. There was even an old school bus in the garden!
  • Living in an area of France that had been occupied, and in a house still containing the belongings of those who fled when the Nazis arrived in the village, meant that I developed an interest in the Second World War. Locals used to tell us their stories of resistance, and school outings involved day trips to the D-Day landing beaches. Some of my favourite books take place during that period, such as ‘All The Light We Cannot See’, and my MA dissertation also focused on the literature of war.
  • I moved around a lot until my early thirties, when I eventually settled in London. It’s wonderful to finally put down some roots and get involved in the local community. I love the fact that there is always something to do in London – and that the airports are close by! I spend many rainy Saturdays taking in West End shows or pottering happily around my favourite art galleries.
  • You may notice that my book is dedicated to my friend Audrey, who died last year at the age of 95. I joined a local charity as a volunteer seven years ago, and Audrey was the first person I was matched with. For nearly six years, I spent Saturday mornings with her. Unfortunately, Audrey suffered from dementia. She could never actually remember my name! I still miss her a lot but know how delighted she would be to see her name in print.
  • I have been to Nice and the surrounding area four times by myself and would happily visit at least once every year – when finances allow! There is so much to see and do, and I keep finding new little corners of paradise. I’d love to spend retirement there! It truly is my happy place.
  • I really hope that ‘How to Holiday Alone Like a Boss’ will inspire those who have been thinking about doing a trip by themselves to give it a go. I’ve been holidaying alone for over 15 years and I am so happy I didn’t wait around for others to join me, or I may still be sitting at home – and I certainly wouldn’t have had the opportunity to write a book about my experiences! Now, if someone suggests coming on holiday with me, my response is along the lines of ‘Um, I’m ok thanks!’!

Hanah's latest book How to holiday alone like a boss by Hannah Ireland - A funny and light-hearted guide to holidaying alone and written by an experienced solo holidaymaker, the book covers over thirty-five destinations across the UK, Europe and North America, featuring some of the author’s own photographs.

Publication Date: 28/08/2023 ISBN: 9781915853004 Price: £8.99

To read our review article and Hanah's Bio  Click Here

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