A Co Fermanagh based children's author is preparing to launch his fourth book, inspired by his own children's experiences of growing up.
Mack McEvoy, 50, lives in Newtownbutler with his wife Donna and their two young children, Jacob, nine, and seven-year-old Myla.
The Portlaoise native is a man of many talents.
His keen interest in music as a child ultimately led to a successful 16-year career as a professional drummer/vocalist, touring extensively in Ireland, UK, Scandinavia, Europe and North America with the hugely popular Irish band, Big Generator.
During this time with Big Generator, Mack enjoyed chart success and played in some of the world’s best known venues alongside some legendary bands.
Mack remains close to the band and occasionally makes surprise special guest appearances at their live shows.
He continues to play regularly in his spare time and is currently playing with Derrylin-based band, Power Struggle.
When his touring days came to an end in 2008, Mack immersed himself in another growing passion, working with and teaching children, in particular those with Special Needs.
After gaining the relevant qualifications he now works in the Learning Support Department at Devenish College in Enniskillen.
It was during this time that Mack began to write poetry and children’s books, started his own drum academy and became a father to his two children, with whom he spends four days a week as a stay-at-home Dad.
Through the children he has worked with, along with the experiences he has shared with his own kids, Mack quickly recognised the myriad of issues and challenges that children (and consequently their parents) deal with on a daily basis.
"I've always loved language and words and when I was on the road years ago, I tried my hand at writing lyrics so that was my first dabble at it," Mack told MyFermanagh.
"Later on, I wrote a poem for a family anniversary and more followed and now I get asked to wrote poems all the time for birthdays and weddings.
"It dawned on me one night that although what I was reading to my children were nice fairytale type stories, there was nothing in them that kids could really take something from.
"I mean in terms of trying to relate to the modern day issues they go through rather than the happy ever afters.
"Working with children every day in school, I see the myriad of things they go through."
Inspired by this, Mack started his first series of six children’s books, entitled The Greenhills Gang.
"It is a collection of stories about a loveable group of six farm animal friends," he explained.
"Each book carries an important and educational message for children on issues like anxiety, being afraid of the dark, body image, bullying, friendship, losing your first tooth, sharing and trust."
The fourth book in the Greenhills Gang series - Hamilton Saves the Day - has just been published and follows on from Webster's Best Day Ever, Millie Moo's Christmas Wish and Barkley and the Big Bad Bull.
"I think that when kids read the books, they take a little positive message from them about how to look at things in a different way," Mack added.
"My own kids have gone through most of the issues covered in the books so all the ideas have come from them."
All of the books have been beautifully illustrated by Lisnaskea-based artist Kevin McHugh.
"Kevin is super talented and has always been superb when it comes to bringing the vision to life. He is an absolute pleasure to work with and nothing is ever a problem," Mack added.
