To Bridget Higgins, milliner and hatmaker extraordinaire. Thank you for the wonderful day in Galway, showing me your craft and sharing with me the secrets of a milliner. Your passion is contagious and I fell madly in love with your wonderful hats.
To Philip Treacy. Thank you for the beautiful hat, the warm welcome in Elizabeth Street, and the constant inspiration of your stunning designs and exquisite creations.
To my mother, Mary, who when I was a little girl would lift down her hatboxes and with a rustle of tissue produce a gorgeous hat. So began the magic, as I watched her dress up to go out to the races or a stylish party!
To Dublin, my city. Your streets burst with life and energy and your big old heart is so full of stories – it’s no wonder you are a city of writers.
To the Royal Dublin Society Horse Show and Ladies’ Day. What a perfect day – sunshine, hats, frocks, champagne and horses and all the excitement of the competition.
To the Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin.
Thanks to The Mad Hatter, J. C. Brady, Halo and all the other wonderful hat shops that I visited.
To my editor Francesca Liversidge, for making writing such an interesting pursuit, and to Nicky Jeanes, Deborah Adams, Vivien Garrett and all the team at Transworld.
To my agent Caroline Sheldon. Assembling a hatbox is the very least of it! Thanks.
To Gill, Simon, Declan, Geoff and all the team at Gill Hess, Dublin. Your hard work and good humour is much appreciated.
To the Irish Booksellers who have cheered me along and been there from the start. Thanks. Your support is brilliant.
To Anne Frances Doorly and ‘les girls’ – Ann Lawler, Grace Murphy, Yvonne Taylor, Karen Quinn, Helen O’Dowd and Mary Joy. Thanks for all the years of fun and friendship, girls’ nights and that special trip to Barcelona.
To all my friends, old and new, and my lovely readers, thanks.
Last but certainly not least, to my tall, dark, handsome husband James and my children, Amanda, Laura, Fiona and James, and son-in-law Michael Hearty. I couldn’t do it without you all.