Gordon Snell Death: the moment everyone is talking about

The popular children's author Gordon Snell has died aged 93. Gordon Snell Death has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Ireland.

Key facts

• The popular children's author Gordon Snell has died aged 93.
• Gordon Snell, the children’s author, journalist and husband of the late Maeve Binchy, has died aged 93.
• Listen: Gordon Snell discussing Maeve Binchy's work on Sunday with Miriam in 2022.
• Gordon Snell also wrote scripts for RTÉ, including the popular children’s show Wanderly Wagon.
• Echoes Book Festival, a Dalkey based festival which celebrates the life and work of Maeve Binchy shared a post on social media which said: “It is with the deepest sadness that we mourn the passing this morning of Gordon Snell, author, broadcaster and Maeve’s beloved husband of over 35 years.

What we know

Going deeper, Gordon Snell, the children’s author, journalist and husband of the late Maeve Binchy, has died aged 93.

On the substance, Listen: Gordon Snell discussing Maeve Binchy's work on Sunday with Miriam in 2022.

Beyond the headlines, Gordon Snell also wrote scripts for RTÉ, including the popular children’s show Wanderly Wagon.

More precisely, Echoes Book Festival, a Dalkey based festival which celebrates the life and work of Maeve Binchy shared a post on social media which said: “It is with the deepest sadness that we mourn the passing this morning of Gordon Snell, author, broadcaster and Maeve’s beloved husband of over 35 years.

It is worth noting that He married writer Maeve Binchy in 1977 and the couple lived and worked together in their Dalkey home in Dublin until Ms Binchy's death in 2012.

By the numbers

At this stage, Born on 1 October 1932 in Singapore, Mr Snell went on to study at Oxford University before joining the BBC.

On a related note, Mr Snell published his first book for young readers, The King of Quizzical Island, in 1978.

Going deeper, Snell was born in 1932 in Singapore, where his father worked as a surveyor.

On the substance, In 2009 Binchy revealed that Snell had had a heart-bypass operation.

What they're saying

“He was proud to be known as Maeve’s husband but Gordon also made an enormous contribution to the arts and literature, especially children’s literature and like Maeve was a tremendous supporter of emerging talent,” Dooley said.

“They spent their very happily married lives together writing heartfelt dedications to each other in their books and entertaining each other with stories”.

The wider context

On a related note, [ Gordon Snell on his wife, Maeve Binchy: ‘We rejoiced in each other’s successes.

Going deeper, In a 2023 Irish Times interview with McKervey, Snell said: “Maeve and I always said we were very lucky, first to have met each other but also that we realised we were lucky.

On the substance, Alongside his fiction writing, Mr Snell also wrote TV scripts for the popular RTÉ children's show Wanderly Wagon and also comedy for adults.

Beyond the headlines, Mr Snell died peacefully at his home and will be sadly missed by his loving family and wide circle of friends.

More precisely, Snell was 'quintessential Englishman' with 'very Irish sense of humour.

The bottom line

• In a statement, the National Union of Journalists said Mr Snell was a life long member of union and "one of the most respected writers in Ireland".
• Assistant General Secretary Séamus Dooley said: "Gordon and Maeve were a couple who inspired affection and respect.
• On first meeting, Gordon could appear the quintessential Englishman, with impeccable manner but he had a very Irish sense of humour, and his political satirical verses were hilarious and biting.
• Searches spiking right now: Death Notice of Gordon Snell (Dalkey, Dublin), Gordon Snell, children’s author and husband of Maeve Binchy, dies aged 93, Maeve Binchy's husband and author Gordon Snell dies aged 93, Gordon Snell, author and Maeve Binchy’s husband, dies aged 93.