John Farrelly (52) is the author and illustrator of three Irish history books for children – about the Vikings, Celts and Normans – and he also creates comics. Originally from Kilean in South Armagh, he lives in Newry with his partner Ellie and their dog Rosie.
You were orphaned at a young age. Tell us about that.
My mother died of multiple sclerosis when I was four and my father died in a car accident when I was eight. So there was just me and my three older sisters. Our grandmother and aunts raised us. I lived with my grandmother, due to lack of space, and the three girls lived in another house just down the street. I went between the two houses with my bags of books.
Did it leave a scar?
Not really. I was surrounded by loving sisters and we had a very close relationship. I don’t remember having had a sad childhood. It was always full of laughs.
Was it ever a struggle?
When you grow up in poverty, you take it for granted. I always have this mindset of doing expandable things and recycling and reusing things. I couldn’t afford action heroes so I made them out of cardboard.
What motivates you ?
The desire to create.
Where does the drawing come from?
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing. I was always there. I was not necessarily very good, but I continued to work.
First drawing memory?
I remember the first time my dad showed me how to draw birds in the sky – like a little v-shape. Then he taught me how to draw steps. It was a kind of optical illusion and it was fascinating to watch him do it. He was a bricklayer by trade, but he himself was a very good caricaturist.
What did you read as a child?
Beano, Dandy, Buster and even girl comics like bunty. I have friends who have worked on comics for girls and they said the crueler the story, the more girls liked it. I liked ‘Dennis the Menace’ and joined the fan club.
What was the appeal of comics?
I loved Judge Dredd’s dark humor and anti-establishment stuff in the comic 2000 AD. That’s how I learned to read. Comics are a great way to teach children to read because pictures support words and words support pictures.
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Is that why you write comics?
I do them for me, because I am the first reader. I have three. One is about Captain Wonder, a portly superhero, and the other, Beans and Tuckeris about a snail and a turtle going on the run, on a skateboard.
Tell us about your Irish history books for children.
In telling these stories, I’m interested in what they ate, how they dressed and how they spoke. I wrote about the Vikings, Celts and Normans in the last book. The Normans were the descendants of rowdy Vikings who settled in northern France. “Norman” simply means “Northmen”.
How to attract children’s attention?
Humor is the sugar that helps the medicine go down. It’s “learning by laughing”. There are no barriers when someone makes you laugh. I am writing this for my 10 year old self. I still remember what it was like to be 10 years old.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Like you.
The best advice you give?
Be yourself, especially when it comes to writing.
Who are your role models and why?
Mr. Joe Stewart. A substitute English teacher I had when I was 13. He was larger than life and told us all these stories. He had lived in Africa and one day he brought a great spear. He was like something Dead Poets Society. He gave me the love of George Orwell. Not having a father meant I collected father figures a lot. He wasn’t a father figure, but he was a big influence.
“The Normans” and ‘Deadly! Irish History: Have fun with the Celts and Vikings!’ by John Farrelly are published by The O’Brien Press. His comics are available at capitanwonder.com. He is an author participating in World Book Day, March 3; see worldbookday.com
