Mark F Chaddock grew up in Cheshire, England. In 1995 he emigrated to live on Achill island in County Mayo, Ireland, close to his Grandmother's farm. Twelve years ago he began writing poetry on a regular basis.

He has published four small collections of poetry: 'We Are Islanders' and 'Living On The Edge' in 2002; 'To Walk Among Clouds' and 'Pages Of My Life' in 2003.

'The Ordinary Miracle' is the author's first full collection, and the poems were written since 2003. The themes include - loss; memory; belonging; landscape and nature.

As 'slanting light fires the land/climbs the gable ends of cottages' on a winter's afternoon Chaddock's enthusiasm for the place he lives shines through, gently directing the reader to life's ordinary miracles.