Following Sunshine

A Voyage Around the Mind, Around the World, Around the Heart

Non-Fiction - Memoir
321 Pages
Reviewed on 09/28/2024
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Author Biography

NIAMH MCANALLY (pronounced “Knee-if Mack-an-alley”) is an
Irish-born bestselling author, keynote & corporate speaker, former
TV director, and youngest daughter of the late BAFTA award-
winning actor, Ray McAnally, and actor, Ronnie Masterson. Niamh
has traveled the world and lived and worked as a volunteer
in many island nations in the Caribbean and the South Pacific.
Niamh’s first book Flares Up: A Story Bigger than the Atlantic was
shortlisted in the 2023 Sunday Times Vikki Orvice Award. The Ray
D’Arcy radio show chose her memoir-short Haul Out from over
3,000 entries for a coveted spot in the anthology A Page from My
Life, and her whimsical series Falmouth Freddy and the Cruising
Kanes has been serialized in Caribbean Compass Magazine. Niamh has also been published in
The Journal, Sail, The Irish Times Abroad, Writing.ie and Subsea magazines. Following Sunshine
is the winner of the 2024 Literary Titan Gold Award for Nonfiction.
In 2016 she helped a solo sailor crew his boat from Florida to the Bahamas. It was only supposed to last a month. Niamh soon realized she had not only found the life she loved but also the love of her life. She and Captain Gary have sailed as far north as Maine in the USA and to Bonaire off the northern coast of South America. With toes in the sand in Antigua, Captain and Crew became Husband and Wife. Many of her stories are inspired by her travels on land
and at sea. She now lives in the Southwest Florida.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Niamh McAnally’s Following Sunshine is a unique memoir that skillfully weaves the elements of adventure, self-discovery, and love, creating a refreshing narrative. In this honest and uplifting account, McAnally takes readers on a life-changing journey that starts in uncertainty and culminates in a profoundly satisfying sense of fulfillment. At the age of fifty, with no job, no home, and reeling from a divorce, McAnally embarks on a global quest that leads her to some of the world's most remote and beautiful places. From Belize to Vanuatu and even Tonga, her story immerses readers in vibrant cultures, marine conservation projects, and personal growth.

Niamh McAnally’s narrative is authentic and unfiltered, making it easy to connect with her vulnerability as she navigates new physical and emotional landscapes. One of the most remarkable aspects of Following Sunshine is how McAnally’s external voyages parallel her internal exploration. Each destination unlocks a piece of her evolution as she discovers the importance of protecting the environment and how to protect and nurture her spirit. What is most enjoyable about this memoir is the way it’s told. McAnally writes with such emotion and conviction that readers should be prepared to be wholly swept into the story. Whether you’re an armchair traveler or someone looking for inspiration to leap into an adventure, this memoir will leave you reflecting on the power of following your heart wherever it may lead. Following Sunshine is an excellent read for fans of travel, personal growth, and those who believe it’s never too late to reinvent your life.

Nino Lobiladze

Following Sunshine by Niamh McAnally is for travelers ready to expand their horizons. This memoir is about an incredible journey around the world that the author accomplished to make her dreams come true and live a simple yet meaningful life in conditions many of us will call challenging. Niamh narrates about her childhood traumas, coping with grief after losing her father, a famous Irish actor, a disappointing marriage, and the decisions she made to reshape herself and her life completely. After years in the TV and hospitality industries, Niamh participates in volunteer projects that allow her to see the world and meet amazing people. She helps to protect endangered turtles in Vanuatu, chases the Northern Lights in Lapland, teaches children in Tonga, visits Bora Bora, Guam, and Thailand, and takes a fateful trip from Florida to the Bahamas.

Niamh McAnally's Following Sunshine reads like a riveting adventure with a touch of romance. It has many twists and keeps us engaged until the end. Niamh is a wonderful storyteller, and her humor is irresistible. "Back outside, my polar boots left such enormous prints a Yeti might think he’d found his eccentric aunt," writes Niamh, recollecting her fascinating experience in Lapland. The author offers us an excursion into the Tongan language, altering our perception of grammar rules and giving us a glimpse of a different way of life. I appreciate the author's reminder to never put off adventures until later. Niamh speaks to her readers straightforwardly. Her story gently urges us to look deeper into ourselves and face our fears and challenges. I highly recommend this compelling book to lovers of memoirs, travel, and motivational literature.

K.C. Finn

Following Sunshine by Niamh McAnally is a memoir that chronicles the author's transformative journey from personal hardships like unemployment, homelessness, and divorce in her fifties to discovering a new sense of purpose through global travel and volunteer work. McAnally shares her experiences of working on marine conservation projects across exotic locales like Belize, Vanuatu, and Tonga, while also finding unexpected love when crewing for a solo sailor in the Bahamas. This inspiring memoir is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of giving back, offering readers hope, adventure, and a heartwarming love story.

Author Niamh McAnally’s ability to transport readers to remote islands and beautiful locales is impressive, blending captivating travel details with heartfelt emotional experiences. Amidst this setting, a truly heartfelt memoir comes to the fore with some really unexpected additions and brilliant life lessons born from struggle and personal soul-searching. Her raw and honest narrative style is deeply engaging and candid, making her story highly relatable for readers seeking their own paths to fulfillment, and easy to read whether they’ve been in her situation or not. The memoir also offers a powerful message about second chances and personal reinvention, demonstrating that life can hold unexpected opportunities for love and purpose, no matter the age, which is a beautiful reminder of the freedom to change at any time. Overall, I’d certainly recommend Following Sunshine as both an exciting travelogue memoir and a profound reflection on self-discovery and personal growth that is sure to touch the heart of any reader.

Jamie Michele

Niamh McAnally’s memoir, Following Sunshine, centers on the author's journey of personal transformation following the sudden death of her father, actor Ray McAnally. Struggling with grief and the burden of public mourning, McAnally sets out on a global quest to find herself and redefine her life. Her travels take her from the intensity of Tony Robbins’ seminars in Fiji to diverse volunteer roles in places like Vanuatu and Kenya. McAnally talks about reverse culture shock, personal setbacks, and ethical dilemmas while she sought a meaningful existence. Through various roles—like hospitality in the Channel Islands and marine conservation in Palau—McAnally confronts the issues that continue to haunt her, with experiences that lead her to a deeper understanding of self-worth and purpose, and, ultimately, to love.

Following Sunshine by Niamh McAnally shares a uniquely intimate look into her life, and does so with a straightforward and conversational writing style that makes her voice distinct, and almost immediately relatable. The most interesting part to me is when McAnally talks about "voluntourism," which I found to be particularly insightful, especially since I just watched a documentary that scrutinized this organized travel practice as potentially exploitative. McAnally walks away and, instead of engaging, chooses to give back in more authentic and responsible ways. I loved that. Overall, this book will resonate with readers who are interested in the everyday experiences of a worldwide traveler.

Ronél Steyn

Niamh McAnally shares her heart and soul in her amazing and inspirational memoir, Following Sunshine. As one of four children born and raised in Ireland with both parents as actors, Niamh was raised with a wonderful “Anything is Possible” mindset. In this memoir, she shares with us her personal growth while traveling around the mind, the world, and the heart. Living a life of simplicity that fits into one bag, Niamh shows us that we don’t need much to find joy and adventure. From childhood trauma to dealing with crazy weather, Niamh gives us a peek into a life filled with beauty and wonder if we only dare to open ourselves to it. Join her as she opens your eyes to the world and her life.

Author Niamh McAnally daringly braves the stormy seas of vulnerability by giving us a glimpse of her mind, heart, and soul. Throughout this memoir, I was reminded that not everyone’s journey is the same, and that’s okay. I was still able to learn from her and enjoy her unique perspective. There is a little treasure in here for everyone. This book is filled with sensory stimulation from tantalizing tastes to exotic sights. In a wonderful array of gorgeous destinations, I was amazed by what she did and where she traveled. I loved being reminded that it is never too late to find happiness and beauty in this world and to keep chasing our dreams. Following Sunshine is suitable for all readers and will open your eyes to a galaxy of possibilities.