Katy was born on October 7th 1965, and grew up in Shankill, Co Dublin. Her late father, Tom Hayes, was a filmmaker and a pioneer of the indigenous Irish Film Industry. Her mother Anna was a full time homemaker. Katy has three brothers and one sister.

She did a BA Hons in English and History of Art at University College Dublin, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Film Production at the College of Commerce, Rathmines. At UCD, Katy was a keen member of Dramsoc, where she had her first experience of directing for the theatre. She co-founded and was resident director of Dublin theatre company Glasshouse Productions, from 1990 – 1995, where she directed plays by emerging and established women writers, including Emma Donoghue, Trudy Hayes, Clare Dowling and Clare McIntyre. Glasshouse was part funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Dublin City Council. During this time she directed sixteen theatre productions, at the Project Arts Centre, Andrews Lane Theatre and the City Arts Centre. She also worked as a guest director for Raven Theatre Company (Dublin area community tours) and Punchbag Theatre Company in Galway.

In 1994 she married Anthony (Tony) Roche, UCD academic and Irish theatre specialist. They have a son and a daughter, both currently studying at third level. She lives in Monkstown, County Dublin.

This is Katy in her shed, where she alternately works and bangs her head off the wall. The very expensive chair was specially made for her in the Back Shop, and paid for by the advance on her first novel. She goes out to the shed to escape from everybody. You knock on the door at your peril…

Reviews and Comments

Forecourt - A Collection of Short Stories

"This is a sparkling, funny, disturbingly memorable first collection from a terrific writer who is here to stay."

JOSEPH O'CONNOR

“A punky, spunky collection - mad, bad and dangerous to read.”

FERDIA MAC ANNA