An Armagh woman has turned memories of school searches, bomb scares and everyday life during the Troubles into a debut novel now available locally and online.
Kate McGrail, formerly Kate McLoughlin, spent five years writing Beyond the Wall, a self-published book set in Northern Ireland in 1973. Described as a tongue-in-cheek story based on her own real-life experiences, it follows the Rooney family as they try to hold on to hope while living behind the barricades of Creevy Park.
Memories of growing up in Armagh
McGrail remembers walking to school in Armagh past the Army Barracks, where her schoolbag was searched. She also recalls bomb scares at school, when teachers had to evacuate pupils, alongside the wider disruption that shaped daily life during the period.
She left Armagh for London when she was 18 and returned around the time of the ceasefire in 1996. Her personal connection to the era provides the background for the novel.
Speaking about the long-term consequences of the Troubles, McGrail described the period as creating a “ripple effect”. She said she saw its lasting impact in how people interacted with one another and treated themselves, while also witnessing recovery.
Danger, anxiety and recovery
The central character, Molly Rooney, lives among bomb scares, army patrols and whispered secrets. The book’s synopsis presents Molly as haunted by anxiety and burdened by things she cannot tell anyone, while being drawn towards the danger she is trying to escape.
The novel also explores addiction and substance abuse through Danny Rooney. McGrail uses his story to examine how some people turned to self-medication to manage anxiety during traumatic times.
Despite those serious themes, McGrail describes Beyond the Wall 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 rely on the accounts and lessons of those who experienced it.
Where to buy Beyond the Wall in Armagh
McGrail said writing a novel had always been a dream 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 approval from a traditional publisher. She said she hopes the experience encourages other aspiring writers to turn their ideas into books.
The novel is available in Armagh from Macari’s Newsagent, Rocks’ Newsagents and the Post Office on Barrack Street. It can also be bought through Amazon.