'The whole sky at her fingertips wasn't enough': Limerick aviator’s legacy revived in new novel

HISTORICAL fiction writer June O’Sullivan felt a “huge responsibility” in bringing the story of pioneering Irish aviator Sophie Peirce-Evans to life in her new novel, ‘The Sky Is Not Enough.’

The book tells the story of the Knockaderry-born adventurer who survived a traumatic childhood to become one of Ireland’s earliest female aviators, most notably completing a solo flight from Cape Town to Croydon in 1928.

The novel was launched on Saturday, February 7 in The Red Door Gallery in Newcastle West. A lovely touch to the event was the inspiration of Vicki Nash who prompted Richard Langford, a relative of Sophie Peirce-Evans, to provide the gallery with some family photographs to allow attendees to see Sophie in her many guises.

“I grew up very near to the same village where she was born. I used to play camogie with Knockaderry when I was a child so I cycled up and down past her house or past the entrance to her house... and never even knew that the place existed or that she had existed,” explained June.

READ MORE: 'Slow down and connect': New willow artwork offers calming space in Limerick city park

It was only years later, while working in a local bar in the village, that she first heard Sophie’s story.

“Some of the older lads at the bar started talking about it and they asked me had I ever heard of the ‘Murder House’,” June recalled. “That just piqued my interest straight away so they told me about her, and I just couldn't believe that this was my first time hearing about it. I went to school in Newcastle West and she wasn't in any of the history books.”

Sophie’s father beat her mother to death when she was just one year old. She was later raised by her grandfather before going on to excel academically and in sport, serve during World War I, live in Africa, and carve out a career in aviation at a time when women were routinely excluded from the field.

The novel focuses primarily on Sophie’s solo flight from Cape Town to Croydon, a journey June describes as both daring and under-appreciated. “People don’t see it as the big deal that it was back then,” she said, “to do that on her own, as a woman, across a fairly unexplored continent, where she was at risk every day. Every day she went up in that plane, her life was at risk, and it was an open cockpit plane... Every time she landed, she had to rely on the resources of the people who were there.”

While much of Sophie’s life is documented — including her own published account of the journey — June said separating fact from embellishment proved challenging. “She was known for exaggerating and embellishing, and she didn't let the truth stand in the way of a good story.”

Among the more surprising elements uncovered during research was Sophie’s meeting with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
“The fact that she met Mussolini and seemed to like him threw me a little bit,” June admitted. “I think at the time, that was 1928, most people hadn't kind of copped on to what kind of a man he was at that stage.”

The novel also explores Sophie’s friendship — and subtle rivalry — with fellow aviator Mary Bailey. “I thought that was interesting that they could be really good friends but still once they got into the sky because they competed in aviation, it was every woman for herself.”

The book’s title reflects what June sees as the defining trait of her subject. “Even the whole sky at her fingertips wasn't enough for her. She was still going to be chasing after something else,” she explained.

June hopes the novel will help restore Sophie Peirce-Evans to her rightful place in Irish history. “Amelia Earhart's really well known, but Sophie Peirce-Evans should be the first name that Irish people think of when they think of aviation.”

While the novel is grounded firmly in historical research, June said it is ultimately about resilience. “She came from very difficult beginnings, and then she went on to achieve so much. I wouldn't say it didn't affect her, but I think it made her who she was in a way.”

June also graduated with a Master of Arts last year which she completed part-time over two years. “I had decided before I went in that this was the book I was going to work on for my dissertation so I did the first three chapters of the book for my dissertation.” stated June.

The Limerick woman is based in Kerry on Valentia Island. June works as a secondary school teacher and teaches a special class in the Intermediate School, Killorglin.

With a four-book contract underway, she is already considering her next project, though she plans to step away from writing about real historical figures. “After this book, I kind of felt like I wanted to step away from writing about real people because it does restrict you a little bit,” added June.

“I have a character in mind for my next book who's completely fictional, but there is a real woman kind of creeping into the background of it.”