Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, Ireland, and lived in Dublin as an adult. She received her degree in English literature and German, and her doctorate degree in English literature from Trinity College Dublin. She currently lives in Dublin with her husband. She teaches creative writing at St. Patrick's College, Dublin City University, and translates children's books from German. She was Ireland's first children's laureate from 2010 to 2012. Parkinson is visually impaired and utilizes audiobooks and magnifying software.