All about Dervla Murphy

Dervla Murphy is an amazing woman who has had a very exciting and adventurous life! She was born in Ireland in 1931 and from a young age, she loved exploring and going on adventures. When she was just ten years old, she rode her bicycle all the way from Ireland to Spain with her father. Can you imagine how brave she must have been?

As she grew older, Dervla continued to travel and explore different countries. She went to places like India, Ethiopia, and even Afghanistan! She didn't just fly on airplanes like we do now, but she traveled on her bicycle or by walking. She wanted to experience the world in a different way and meet different people.

Dervla also loved writing and she wrote many books about her adventures. She wanted to share her experiences with others and inspire them to see the world too. In her books, she talked about the beautiful landscapes she saw, the interesting people she met, and the challenges she faced along the way.

Not only was Dervla an amazing traveler and writer, but she was also very kind-hearted. She often helped people in need and even adopted a little girl from India. She believed in being compassionate and making a difference in the world.

Dervla Murphy is a true inspiration because she followed her dreams, explored the world, and used her voice to make a positive impact. She showed us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.

1. Why do you think Dervla Murphy enjoyed exploring and going on adventures?
2. How did Dervla travel to different countries?
3. Why do you think Dervla wrote books about her adventures?
4. What did Dervla do to help people in need?
5. What makes Dervla Murphy an inspiration?

A Visit to Ireland

Hi, my name is Olivia and I am 8 years old. Today, I want to tell you about my visit to Ireland, a beautiful country in Europe. I was really excited to go there because I had heard about a famous lady named Dervla Murphy who wrote books about her adventures in Ireland.

One of the places I visited in Ireland was the Aran Islands. These islands are located off the west coast of Ireland and are very famous. Dervla Murphy wrote a book called "Full Tilt" about her journey to the Aran Islands. I was so curious to see what the islands looked like!

When I arrived at the Aran Islands, I was amazed by the scenery. There were green fields, stone walls, and beautiful cliffs overlooking the sea. I could imagine Dervla Murphy riding her bicycle and exploring all the hidden corners of the islands.

I also visited Dun Aengus, an ancient fort on one of the islands. It is said to be over 3,000 years old! Dervla Murphy mentioned Dun Aengus in her book, so I was excited to see it in person. It was incredible to stand on top of the fort and look out at the vast ocean.

I had a wonderful time in Ireland, exploring the places that Dervla Murphy made famous. I hope one day I can be as adventurous as her!

1. What is the name of the child?
2. How old is the child?
3. Where did the child visit in Ireland?
4. Who is Dervla Murphy?
5. What is the name of the ancient fort visited by the child?

Dervla Murphy Fact Finder

Your Turn...

After learning all about Dervla Murphy, your job is to create a timeline of her life. You should add all the important events in her life but you can be inventive and add some interesting things that people might like to read about. You can make it as simply as you like with pen and paper or you can be very inventive and create a 3D diorama or hanging banner. The sky's the limit - go for it!

Slideshow - Dervla Murphy
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