The Dance of Time
A memoir of love, resilience, and the threads that woven between two worlds.
Born in America to Irish immigrant parents, Annie Flatley’s life took an extraordinary turn when, at just six years old, she moved to Ireland to live with her beloved grandparents. Thus began a life of duality—two homes, two cultures, two families.
Her story moves between the quiet rhythm of the Irish countryside and the exhilarating pulse of cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. At the center of it all stands the old Ryan farmhouse, a nearly 300-year-old home built by the hands of her ancestors. It is here, under the guidance of her kind grandfather, that Annie learned the most important lessons of all: to love deeply, to cherish life and to stand up for yourself and others.
Now in her sixties and a grandmother herself, Annie has become the keeper of the family farmhouse — and of the stories it holds within its stone walls. As she moves through love, loss, and the unfolding of time, she reflects on the resilience of the human spirit and the universal yearning for belonging, for a place to call home.
A deeply personal yet profoundly memoir, The Dance of Time is a testament to the highs and lows of life—the laughter, the heartache, the adventure, and the quiet, everyday moments that make it all worthwhile.
The Dance of Time
A memoir of love, resilience, and the threads that woven between two worlds.
Born in America to Irish immigrant parents, Annie Flatley’s life took an extraordinary turn when, at just six years old, she moved to Ireland to live with her beloved grandparents. Thus began a life of duality—two homes, two cultures, two families.
Her story moves between the quiet rhythm of the Irish countryside and the exhilarating pulse of cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. At the center of it all stands the old Ryan farmhouse, a nearly 300-year-old home built by the hands of her ancestors. It is here, under the guidance of her kind grandfather, that Annie learned the most important lessons of all: to love deeply, to cherish life and to stand up for yourself and others.
Now in her sixties and a grandmother herself, Annie has become the keeper of the family farmhouse — and of the stories it holds within its stone walls. As she moves through love, loss, and the unfolding of time, she reflects on the resilience of the human spirit and the universal yearning for belonging, for a place to call home.
A deeply personal yet profoundly memoir, The Dance of Time is a testament to the highs and lows of life—the laughter, the heartache, the adventure, and the quiet, everyday moments that make it all worthwhile.
Whatever the question…
Annie Flatley
Annie has always had a deep love and appreciation for the beauty of life — a sincere gratitude for the opportunity of just being alive.
A photographer, retired radio host, writer and passionate champion of the underdog, Annie believes in the magic of connection, the power of kindness and the simple yet profound beauty of the present moment.
She treasures the beauty of nature and all living things. “I love people,” she says, “and I often refer to them as my favorite animal.” But her love extends far beyond humanity — to trees, flowers, animals, birds, art, music, perfume, candles, design — essentially, all things of beauty.
Growing up on a farm in rural Ireland in the 1960s, Annie developed a profound connection to the natural world. The hills and valleys, rivers and forests of Ireland, along with the country’s reverence for art, literature, and music, all shaped her sense of wonder and lifelong appreciation for nature and art.
Her beloved grandfather, a man blessed with wisdom and patience, played a significant role in her early life. As they worked side by side in the fields — preparing crops, herding sheep and cattle — they would talk for hours. He gently passed along the insights he’d gathered over his lifetime, helping Annie understand what truly matters in life. It was, in many ways, an idyllic childhood and the lack of a telephone, television or any sort of electronics, enhanced that connection considerably.
At fourteen years old, Annie moved to Chicago but as life went on, she has also made Los Angeles and New York City her home. Over the years, naturally she developed her own philosophies about life, drawing from both her Irish roots and her wide-ranging experiences in the U.S. Now, as a grandmother herself, she has found ways to share some of the wisdom she’s gathered.
Little Frame of Mind
The right quote at the right time—inspiring the soul, one frame at a time.
Annie Flatley has always understood the power of words to heal.
It all began with a simple yet profound way:
Little Frame of Mind is simple. It is a collection of Annie’s favorite quotes that she has gathered over the years. These electronic frames are elegantly framed and designed to serve as a daily reminder of hope, courage, and joy. Whether placed on a desk, in the kitchen or a waiting room, each frame is a small but mighty vessel of inspiration. A wonderful gift for anyone and incredibly simple to use … just plug it in and the inspiration begins.
She says that at first, the ever changing words of wisdom, don’t seem to do much but over time, we find ourselves realizing that those words of encouragement or advice start to seep into your heart and soul and slowly start affecting the way you live your life.
The right words, at the right time, can be nothing short of magic
Photography:
Capturing Life’s Poetry
“The minute I put my camera strap over my shoulder, I immediately see the world differently. Everything becomes a thing of beauty.”
Annie Flatley’s photography is a love letter to life.
From the quiet grace of a grandmother’s hands to the golden glow of an Irish sunrise, Like all art, Annie’s images tell stories that words cannot. They invite you to pause, to feel, to remember.
Annie Flatley
