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Best-selling author Le Carré traces his local roots

August 22nd, 2019 5:05 PM

By Southern Star Team

Richard Moxley (a friend of Le Carré) with John Le Carré and Skibbereen Heritage Centre genealogist Margaret Murphy.

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The multimillion-selling writer John Le Carré visited Skibbereen Heritage Centre recently, to research his West Cork ancestry. 

THE multimillion-selling writer John Le Carré visited Skibbereen Heritage Centre recently, to research his West Cork ancestry. 

Le Carré is the nom-de-plume of David Cornwell whose paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Wolfe, was born near Rossmore. 

The writer was raised by his grandmother and he credits his success to her belief in him as a child. 

‘The staff in Skibbereen Heritage Centre were delighted to meet him and welcome him home to West Cork and all agreed that he was a perfect gentleman,’ said Centre manager Terri Kearney. 

‘His ‘homeplace’ was identified subsequent to his visit so hopefully he will return to West Cork again soon,’ she added. 

Le Carré is one of Britain’s most successful writers, whose works include Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, and The Constant Gardener.

He is also a former member of the British security services, both MI5 and MI6, which he left in the 60s to pursue a full-time career as an author.

His book sales are in the millions and he is due to publish a political thriller later this year.

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