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Fidelma Kelly’s third novel inspired by windswept coasts of Wexford

Fidelma Kelly, author of One More Time.

Simon Bourke
© Wexford People

While many of us have been bunkered down for the winter, protecting ourselves from the elements in the best way we can, Fidelma Kelly spent the time in her Rosslare home perfecting the plot for her latest novel, One More Time. Set in Italy and Ireland, Fidelma’s adopted home features heavily in her third novel; with a love rival from Broadway, a Christmas spent in Ferrycarrig and Kilmore, and a number of scenes in Ballyhealy all featuring.

One More Time tells the story of Isabelle Ryan, who begins a relationship with Italian conductor Rico Parisi while on holiday in Sicily. Dealing with the complexities of a long-distance relationship, Isabelle is torn when the aforementioned love rival from Broadway makes his presence known. With her father urging her to choose the man closest to home, she must decide where her future lies.

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Aside from its romantic themes, Fidelma says the story deals with a lot of contemporary Irish issues.

“Although set between 2005 – 2023, the early chapters remind the reader of earlier house price inflation and the difficulties of trying to find somewhere to live if batting on your own,” she says. “As in my earlier books, opera is a central theme. I have worked in opera and at close-hand with the overseas singers, and I’m acutely aware that opera is not an environment conducive to stable marriages – unless the non-performing partner gives up their job, their life and followed the performer around. This forms a lot of the conflict for the protagonists in One More Time.

“Many of my good friends to this day are from those years in opera and include wonderful Wexford soprano Deirdre Masterson and tenors Declan Kelly and Anthony Kearns.”

One More Time is published by Poolbeg Press and available now.

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