Snow Birds by Roisin Maguire **Independent Bookshop Edition**

Standing on the edge of the icy Irish sea, the village of Ballybrady typically has a warm embrace for locals and a cold shoulder for outsiders. So when corporate interests threaten the nearby island colony of rare birds, all-weather swimmer Grace – usually so keen to do things on her own – is alarmed to find that her allies in the fight are the Duckie Divers Swimming Club, a raft of city women with expensive gear and good intentions.

Grace reluctantly joins forces with the Duckies to mount an audacious fundraising event that will draw in villagers and city folk alike. As she teaches them the art of the cold swim, she finds herself softening in their company, learning that each woman has her own powerful reason to commit to their cause. Irreverent and irrepressible like Grace herself, Snow Birds is a delightful celebration of found family, unlikely friendship and the thrill of open water.

‘Grace is a force of nature – it’s impossible not to be swept up in admiration for her’ – LUCY CALDWELL, author of These Days.

‘Grace is a fabulous character’- GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Published 8th October 2026