By Britney Grover
Christy Cashman calls herself a “lazy procrastinator,” but it’s hard to believe. She’s appeared in over 20 films as an actress and
has produced five. She’s the founder of YouthINK, a nonprofit mentorship program for teens with an interest in the creative arts. YouthINK provides young people of all backgrounds with the opportunity to be immersed in creative activities from writing, drama and film, visual art and animation, fashion and photography to music and technical aspects such as camera work, sound engineering, makeup and production design.
What sets YouthINK apart is that participants learn by doing, working with top professionals in their fields—including Christy herself. YouthINK hosts at least four multi-day, immersive workshops each year at Kilkea Castle—the magnificent Irish castle hotel owned by Christy and her husband, Jay.
As if that weren’t enough to keep her busy, Christy is the mother of two, has written two children’s books, set in Ireland, and her first novel, “The Truth About Horses,” is scheduled to be released August 15. Christy and her family split their time between Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts, and Christy loves to ride her horses in either locale. She’s loved horses all her life, growing up with her family’s horses and ponies in North Carolina, so it’s fitting that her debut novel is centered around them—and how they can draw people together.
Tell us about your castle in Ireland.
Kilkea Castle is an historic property in Kildare County, about an hour from the Dublin airport. It dates back to 1180 and we’ve owned it since 2012. We did an extensive renovation and opened in 2018 as a hotel, resort and golf club.
What is your book “The Truth About Horses” about?
“The Truth About Horses” is about a father and daughter who drift apart after a tragedy, how their fear of feeling makes them push each other away and how the mysterious forces within each of them guides them back together.
What prompted you to write it?
I was inspired to write this book for multiple reasons. Partly because I had the notion that healing is a combination of grace and inner strength; that sometimes inner strength is just there and has to be discovered; that there is beauty in all emotions and if you allow yourself to feel, that might just be the key to moving on. I’d love for whoever reads the book to feel like they were swept up in the world, the characters and the story in a way that leaves them wanting more!
Did writing your book change you?
Writing this book absolutely changed me. It’s the most important gift I’ve given myself by listening to that barely audible whisper from nine years ago that said, “Just start writing.”
What’s your favorite thing about being a writer?
My favorite thing about writing is the moments I’ve experienced that feel like they have nothing to do with me. They are story elements that are outside of my own life experiences, and they magically seem to appear. It’s when descriptions or dialogue or scenes show up for me just at the right time—it makes me feel plugged into the creative process and that is an extremely fulfilling feeling.
What are you doing in the horse world now and what are your goals?
I mainly just enjoy my horses by trail riding, beach rides, a little cross-country and my favorite is just the good times in the barn spent feeding, grooming and hanging with them.
What’s your biggest achievement in the horse world?
My biggest achievement in the horse world is racing in the Fair Hill Point-to-Point. Growing up reading every horse book I could get my hands on and devouring the intense race scenes and the descriptions of the bond that happens between human and horse made me feel like I was living a dream.
What are your goals in the writing world?
I’m working on my second book, “BEULAH,” set in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee in the 1980s. A girl from the small town goes missing and the town unravels, leaving best friends and family members questioning each other. It’s a quirky, Southern dark comedy mystery. I think I have at least a few more books to write.
What do you like about Ireland?
I love the people of Ireland. I’ve met some of my very best friends while living there. I love the horseback riding in Ireland. There’s no better way to see the countryside than on the back of a horse. And I love the feeling of coming home that I get there whenever I go back
What advice would you give to those considering traveling to Ireland?
I would tell anyone traveling to Ireland to of course go to Kilkea Castle for falconry, golf and the spa experience! But also ride in
the Wicklow Mountains, take a swim in the cold rivers in the summer, visit a sheep farm during lambing season in the spring, stroll through the shops of Kilkenny, learn about Saint Brigit at Saint Brigit’s Cathedral in Kildare and see a play at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin! Check out the races at the Curragh, Naas or Punchestown, and try clay pigeon shooting and archery at the Harbour House Sports Club. Visit the Irish National Stud, stop in for a pint of Guiness at the Moone High Cross Inn, eat dinner at Mimosa’s in Carlow and see one of the shows above Bewley’s Coffee in Dublin!
What is the best thing about your life?
Wow! Good question! My life is very full. I’m blessed. I have a very big family, lots of nieces and nephews, two talented sons, a husband whom I love, and I feel surrounded by friends who share a passion for the adventure of life. My animals are such an important part of my life and I adore just being with them during the day, taking them on walks or just hanging out. I feel it’s a gift to be able to choose to write.
Best-kept secret about what you do?
I seem to get a lot done for being kind of a lazy procrastinator!
For more information, visit christycashman.com
Photos by Lindsay Ahern
