Padraig Standún was born in Ballydavock, Castlebar, Co. Mayo in 1946. He is a well-known writer, activist and priest, best known for his novels by many of his plays have also been produced. Stigmata was produced by Taidhdhearc na Gaillimhe theatre company in 1996 and others have been staged on the amateur circuit in Belfast and London. His play Uisceinafhíon was shortlisted for the Cló Iar-Chonnacht Literary Award 2001. The film-maker, Bob Quinn, based his film Budawanny (1987) on Standún's first novel, the controversial Súil le Breith. Standún has spent time as a priest in Carraroe, Connemara, and on the Aran Islands (Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr). For the past fifteen years he has been a curate Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo and is now the local parish priest in Carna, Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland.