Dervla Murphy was an Irish cyclist and author who recounted her cycling adventures in numerous books. Her passion for travel began on her 10th birthday when she was gifted an atlas and a bicycle, leading her to vow that she would someday ride all the way to India. As a young adult, she was the primary caregiver for her mother, whose health was declining, and she did not stray far from home, staying in Ireland and Great Britain. After 16 years, when her mother passed away, Dervla set out to fulfill her childhood dream of pedaling to India at the age of 32. After the success of this trip, she wrote her first book, Full Tilt, about the journey.

She always traveled with a gun for personal safety and had to use it for self-defense on multiple occasions, including against thieves, soldiers, and even wolves. Thankfully, none of these experiences dampened her joy in her adventures. Later, she had a daughter and began taking her little girl on trips starting at the age of 5.

Throughout her life, Dervla visited over 30 countries and wrote more than 25 books, but regardless of how far and wide she traveled, she was always glad to be home. Dervla stated that she “wouldn’t live anywhere else than my own little bit of west Waterford” in Ireland.