Hachette Ireland pays tribute to 'brilliant' publicist Daly

Hachette Ireland has paid tribute to the “wonderful” books publicist Margaret Daly, who has died.

She died in St James’ Hospital in Dublin earlier this week following a short illness and now many have paid tribute to her including her former employer. Daly worked for Hachette Ireland including handling PR responsibility after it was launched in 2007 following a merger of Hodder Headline Ireland and Little, Brown Ireland.

“It is with great sadness that Hachette Ireland announces the passing of our wonderful friend and colleague Margaret Daly,” Hachette Ireland said in a statement. “Margaret was a brilliant book publicist who worked for Little Brown for years and when Hachette Ireland was set up in 2002 she worked across the entire Group until her retirement a few years ago.”

The publisher described Daly as “beloved among all her friends in the book world: booksellers, agents, authors, journalists and publishers”.

“She championed books and authors in her own completely inimitable way and with such unparalleled passion and genuine love for what she did, and she worked tirelessly through the years on behalf of every author she was charged with,” the statement reads. “When Margaret retired she was an immense loss to Hachette and to the Irish publishing industry in general and now we mourn the sad passing of our dear friend but will remember her with many, many fond memories, as she would want us to.”

Former c.e.o. of Little Brown Ursula Mackenzie said: ‘I always felt she did more to get my books read by as many people as possible than anyone else I ever knew - she was a one-off and will be very much missed’

Breda Purdue, group m.d. of Hachette Ireland, said: “Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time. Funeral arrangements will be up soon on RIP.ie. Rest in Peace Margaret.”

Many Irish publishing professionals in senior positions were trained up by Daly, including Purdue who had known Daly since she was 18 and in her first role at Poolbeg. A spokesperson for Hachette Ireland added: “The outpouring of messages we have received from authors, media and industry professionals  has been overwhelming.”