Book celebrating history of Dominick Street women on shortlist for CAP Awards
Snappin’ Twine by Ursula Kane Cafferty has made it on to the short list for the CAP Awards (Carousel Aware Prize for Independent Authors) in the Anthology category.
The prize celebrates indie authors like Ursula and also the charity, Aware, who provide support and information for individuals with mental health struggles.
From an initial group of 18 titles on the long list Ursula‘s stories with universal themes have made it to the final six.
Celebrating the remarkable Dominick Street women of the 1960s, her book resonates with anyone whose life has been shaped by inspiring women like those featured in its pages. It is a heartfelt tribute that blends poetry, prose and personal reflections, drawing on Ursula’s memories of growing up in a tight-knit community defined by resilience, friendship and an indomitable spirit.
Through evocative storytelling and vivid imagery, Snappin’ Twine captures the lives of the women who shaped Dominick Street’s mid 20th century history and left an indelible mark on Ursula’s childhood.
It is enriched with old photographs of those inspiring women and snapshots of the street as it evolved over time.
“This book is my tribute to the incredible women of Dominick Street, whose strength, kindness, and unwavering sense of community were the foundation of my upbringing,” said Ursula. “Their stories deserve to be celebrated, and I hope readers will be as inspired by them as I continue to be.”
A unique fusion of genres, Snappin’ Twine invites readers to step into a world where community spirit thrived, and each woman’s story contributed to the vibrant tapestry of life at that time. From intimate reflections to snapshots of local history, the book offers a touching homage to a bygone era and the women who made it unforgettable.
An interesting and extremely helpful feature of the book, especially for those with poor or failing eyesight, is that each story includes a unique QR code, giving readers the option to listen to the story being narrated by local actress Mary Hughes and/or Ursula herself.
Ursula has received support and praise from such luminaries as journalist Mary Kenny, founding member of the Irish Women’s Liberation movement, who wrote in her review that it is a ‘unique picture of life in an Irish midlands town in mid-20th century, full of vibrancy and wisdom’, adding that it is in contrast to the usual “misery memoir” of Ireland of the 1950s.
Cherished local author Patricia Gibney shared the news in a post to all her followers on social media saying the accolade was ‘well deserved’.
And the author Alice Taylor of ‘To school through the fields’ fame said she is ‘amazed’ by the book and she ‘loves the title’. Alice remembers twine being snapped in her own shop at home many years ago. ‘It belonged to an era’ she said.
Journalist Yvonne Reddin at Evoke.ie (Ireland’s premier website for Irish females) recommended Snappin’ Twine as a summer holiday read, saying it ‘is a warm, nostalgic collection of poems and stories capturing life on Dominick Street, Mullingar, in the 1960s. It’s a heartfelt tribute to community, resilience and the quiet strength of the local women in Ursula’s neighbourhood.’
The awards ceremony is in Chapters Bookstore, Ivy Exchange, Parnell Street, Dublin 1, on October 10 (6pm).
Snappin’ Twine is available at ukcafferty.com, and buythebook.ie, and in Just Books, Mullingar.
For more information, interviews, or review copies, contact Ursula via her website.
Ursula Kane Cafferty, 00353872317758