Dermot Somers was born in Roscommon in 1947. He is a recognised writer, broadcaster and mountaineer. He has made numerous expeditions to challenging territories of the world, particularly the Himalayas, the Sahara, and the Alps.

Cois Life published his works Rince ar na Ballaí (2002) and Buaic (2006), a book which was awarded a place on the Gradam Réics Carlo shortlist (2007) and on the Reading Association of Ireland Children’s Book Awards shortlist (2007).