BOOKS: A colourful tale of Clew Bay treasure

There’s something very magical about Clew Bay… its endless islands encircled by rocky inlets and majestic mountains, its shorelines strewn with beaches and castles, its abundant wildlife of land, sea and sky – and of course, its legends of fairies, mythical races and pirate queen Gráinne Mhaol.
This special corner of the world has been a muse for countless artists and writers, and the latest in this long line is illustrator and author Sarah Kilcoyne. She might have been raised in Tipperary, and she might be living in Berlin, but it’s Sarah’s childhood memories of visiting her father’s home county of Mayo that have inspired her enchanting new children’s picture book, ‘The Lost Treasure of Clew Bay’, published by Gill Books.
The tale it tells is one of adventure, nature and imagination. Little ones will be delighted by the lively character Saoirse, who is visiting her grandad and his big dog Nessa during her summer holidays. Grandad lives in rural Mayo ‘at the end of a little old lane in a little old cottage with a bright red door’. Saoirse is spellbound by his stories of the daring pirate queen of Clew Bay and her long-lost treasure, and she is determined to find it for herself. (Show us a child who wouldn’t be!)
With her heart set on finding this glittering prize, she borrows Grandad’s rowing boat, and she and Nessa set off on an adventure around the islands. Along the way, they encounter fascinating creatures, face exciting challenges and even make an unexpected new friend, a friendly giant who might just lead them to treasure after all – but a mysterious souvenir suggests otherwise….
All of the charming illustrations in ‘The Lost Treasure of Clew Bay’ are hand painted. A Fine Art graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design, Sarah uses watercolour, ink and coloured pencil to create captivating scenes that are full of playful movement and liquid light.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for the West,” she tells The Mayo News. “Though I grew up in Tipperary, as a family we spent a lot of time in my father’s hometown of Westport. I was always fascinated with the folklore and history of the area, even more so as an adult. It was this, plus a love for the wild and beautiful landscape of the West that served as inspiration for the book. I hope that it sparks the imaginations of our young readers and inspires an interest in Irish nature and folklore.”
After she graduated, Sarah moved to Berlin in 2011, where she has been working as a freelance illustrator ever since. Her client list is impressive, boasting such big names as New York Magazine, Amnesty International and The Wall Street Journal.
One of her favourite subjects to paint is food, playing with composition and colour to create dynamic and fun recipe illustrations, posters and labels. This passion is evident in her gorgeous illustrations for ‘GIY Diaries’, a gardening and cookbook written by Michael Kelly of Grow It Yourself (‘GIY’). Also published by Gill Books, it was nominated for the Irish Cookbook of the Year award in 2022.
‘The Lost Treasure of Clew Bay’, Sarah’s debut children’s book, proves that this artist’s talents not only encompass capturing the delights of pumpkins, potatoes and pies. Its wonderful illustrations are bright, colourful and fun, and faithful to the features of the landscape that inspired them – from Croagh Patrick and the islands to the bay’s ever-changing skies and folklore-laden seas. It also proves she can spin a story sure to bewitch young minds while allowing their imaginations soar as high as puffin wings.

Launch
Sarah Kilcoyne is visiting Westport for the launch of ‘The Lost Treasure of Clew Bay’, which takes place in Tertulia bookshop at the Quay this Saturday, March 8, at 4pm. This will be a family-friendly event with a reading for the children, and Sarah will be on hand to sign copies of her book too. All are welcome.