Aoibhín Garrihy Offers Insight into Family Life and Storytelling Passion
Aoibhín Garrihy has shared details about her cherished evening routine with her husband John and their three daughters.
The former actress and wellness entrepreneur describes their evenings as winding down with books, conversations, and cuddles, moments she treasures as ‘magical’. Her daughters are particularly engaged with encyclopedias, bringing new knowledge each day.
“They’re close in age, so they enjoy the same stories. We all read together,” she explains. “Hanorah, who has her own room, is currently fascinated by encyclopedias about the body and science. John spends this time with her, learning new facts together. It’s adorable how she shares her newfound knowledge each morning.”
Recently, Aoibhín announced she is expecting her fourth child. The BEO founder shared the happy news with a festive photo of her daughters in matching tartan pajamas, writing: “Counting our blessings…one more on the way.” This followed her remarkable achievement of completing the Dublin Marathon, where she revealed the pregnancy to her parents mid-race.
Aoibhín is also leading a children’s short story competition with Specsavers, coinciding with their sponsorship of the Junior and Senior Children’s Book of the Year categories at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025. The initiative aims to foster a love of reading among children nationwide.
“As an author and a mom, I understand the magic that happens when children are encouraged to create,” she says. “This competition is about discovering the incredible worlds within their minds. Every child has a unique voice and story to tell. I’m excited to see their imagination and talent shine through.”
Garrihy’s passion for storytelling is deeply rooted. “With my acting background, it’s always been there,” she shares. “I teach speech and drama to my daughters and other children. Creativity and imagination are powerful, especially when they draw children away from screens. Telling stories and even poetry are passions of mine. Poetry, in particular, is therapeutic for me.”
Finding time to read has become challenging as life gets busier. “It’s hard to find time,” she admits with a laugh. “That’s why I love poetry; it’s in bite-sized chunks. It’s almost a segue into meditation and a good sleep practice. But I still love books.
During holidays, I eagerly pick up new books. I recently chose ‘Nobody’s Girl’ to read. I have a fascination with the royal family, a passion passed down from my grandmother who loved magazines about Charles, Diana, and others.”
Her daughters have naturally developed a love for reading, a habit she hasn’t needed to enforce. “They love books. We don’t have iPads yet. We have a TV, but books are something they gravitate towards, with school playing a significant role. Our evening wind-down time is magical, and books are always packed for holidays.”
Aoibhín hopes the Specsavers competition will inspire more children to find joy in writing. Winners in both junior and senior categories will receive €500 for their school library and a collection of all titles shortlisted in the Specsavers Irish Children’s Book of the Year categories at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025.
She offers advice to young writers, encouraging them to create memorable characters, start with an engaging moment, and remember that “the best writers are also great readers.”
Above all, Aoibhín encourages children to enjoy the process. “Let your imagination run wild, embrace silliness and surprise, and enjoy bringing your unique story to life.”
Aoibhín’s Tips for Writing a Short Story:
Meet Your Hero (or Villain!): Consider your main character’s loves, fears, and uniqueness to make your story exciting.
Paint a Picture with Words: Describe the setting vividly so readers feel present in the story.
Start with a Spark: Grab readers’ attention immediately with an intriguing event or discovery.
Let Them Talk: Use dialogue to convey emotions and make the story lively.
The Big Problem: Introduce a challenge for your character to solve, sparking the adventure.
Read, Read, Read!: Great writers are avid readers. Explore various genres for inspiration.
To participate in Specsavers’ competition, children can submit a short story of up to 500 words based on the prompt:
“I looked around my new classroom, at the letters, the map, and numbers on the wall — then I saw it, the teacher’s secret cupboard tucked away behind my desk. There was a weird noise coming from it, so I slipped off my chair and went to investigate…”
Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Submissions can be sent to:
Specsavers Short Story Competition,
c/o WHPR, 6 Ely Place, Dublin 2.
or submitted online at www.specsavers.ie/irish-book-awards
