A woman who grew up in Armagh has turned memories of school searches, bomb scares and life during the Troubles into a novel about violence, anxiety, addiction and recovery.
Kate McGrail, formerly Kate McLoughlin, spent five years writing Beyond the Wall, a tongue-in-cheek story based on her own real-life experiences. The book is set in Northern Ireland in 1973 and follows the Rooney family as they try to hold on to hope while living behind the barricades of Creevy Park.
Memories of growing up during the Troubles
McGrail remembers walking to school past the Army Barracks and being stopped while her schoolbag was searched. She also recalls bomb scares at school, when teachers had to evacuate pupils, and the wider disruption that shaped everyday life.
She grew up in Armagh before leaving for London at the age of 18. She returned around the time of the ceasefire in 1996, bringing a personal connection to the period that forms the backdrop to her debut novel.
In an interview with Armagh I, McGrail described the Troubles as creating a “ripple effect”. She said she saw the lasting impact in how people interacted with each other and treated themselves, but also saw recovery taking place.
A story of danger, secrets and recovery
The central character, Molly Rooney, lives among bomb scares, army patrols and whispered secrets. According to the book’s synopsis, Molly is haunted by anxiety and burdened by things she cannot tell anyone, while being drawn closer to the danger she is trying to escape.
The novel also examines addiction and substance abuse through Danny Rooney. McGrail uses his story to reflect how some people turned to self-medication to manage anxiety during traumatic times.
Despite those serious themes, McGrail describes the book as a humorous human tale intended to connect with readers regardless of their background or beliefs. As a grandmother, she is conscious that younger generations have no direct memory of the period and instead depend on the accounts and lessons of those who experienced it.
Where to buy Beyond the Wall in Armagh
McGrail said she had always dreamed of writing a novel and regarded it as a “bucket list” ambition. A scholarship with the John Hewitt Writing School in Armagh helped lay the foundations for the book.
After receiving early interest from readers, including buyers in Australia, Belgium and Italy, she chose to self-publish rather than wait for a traditional publisher’s approval. She said she hopes the experience encourages other aspiring writers to turn their ideas into books.
Beyond the Wall is available locally from Macari’s Newsagent, Rocks’ Newsagents and the Post Office on Barrack Street. It can also be bought through Amazon.
