Celtic Spirit-Fire:

When learning of this book, one of the first questions people ask me is: "Is it based upon your own experiences?"  The answer is yes, from a life-long quest that took me into the spirit path of my ancient Celtic Ancestors.

Michael J. McCoy ("Mick") comes from a long line of family artists, and cannot remember a time when art was not a vital part of his life.  His life, however, has been anything but "ivory tower."

Born into a very non-typical Irish-American family, his parents were neither Protestant nor Catholic. His mother (herself a gifted artist) practiced an earth-based spirituality, while his father styled himself as the devil's brother, "...and at times proved it."  His early environment was verbally and physically abusive.

Later, after his mother and father divorced, he was sexually abused by friends of the family and clergy.  Despite these early unfortunate beginnings, Mick went on to successfully enter a number of fields.

He has owned his own printing business, been general operations officer of a bank, then an information management consultant, seminar instructor, and software development consultant.  He also was many years a Christian clergyman, and an advocate and counselor for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and violence, as well as doing glass art.

Some years ago, exhausted, disillusioned, and seriously ill, Mick turned towards the ancestral homeland of his heritage, Ireland.  There he discovered pre-Christian Celtic Spirituality, jettisoned Christianity, and adopted the Gaelic Polytheism of his ancient ancestors.  For the last several years Mick has divided his time between County Cork and America.

His over forty years experience in all of the above areas has taught him how to present information in ways that is approachable and comprehensible to a diverse audience.  Readers have told Mick that Celtic Spirit-Fire is like having a personal guide into an adventure they couldn't stop reading.

He continues to do his glass art, but has also begun to write about Gaelic Spirituality and the "Warrior's Truth" of the ancient Irish Fianna, i.e. "warrior bands."

These days he laughs often, and, oh yes, he has one son about whom he brags often as well ..."As you do."