An Armagh woman has turned memories of growing up during the Troubles into a debut novel exploring fear, addiction, family life and hope. Kate McGrail, formerly Kate McLoughlin, spent five years writing Beyond the Wall, which is now available to buy in Armagh, online and through Amazon.
The self-published novel is set in Northern Ireland in 1973. It follows the Rooney family as they try to preserve hope while living behind the barricades of Creevy Park, against a backdrop of bomb scares, army patrols and whispered secrets.
Memories of growing up in Armagh
McGrail’s childhood experiences provided the foundation for the story. She remembers walking to school in Armagh past the Army Barracks, where her schoolbag was searched.
She also recalls bomb scares at school that forced teachers to evacuate pupils. Those experiences, along with the wider disruption of the period, influenced the routines and relationships of everyday life.
McGrail left Armagh for London when she was 18 and returned around the time of the ceasefire in 1996. Her connection with that era helped shape a novel that considers both the immediate dangers of the Troubles and the effects that continued afterwards.
She has described those longer-term consequences as creating a ripple effect. She saw the period’s impact in the way people interacted with one another and treated themselves, while also witnessing recovery.
Anxiety, addiction and hope
The central character, Molly Rooney, lives amid bomb scares, army patrols and secrets she cannot share. The book’s synopsis presents her as haunted by anxiety and drawn towards the danger she is trying to escape.
The novel also examines addiction and substance abuse through Danny Rooney. His storyline explores 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 story intended to connect with readers regardless of their background or beliefs. As a grandmother, she is also conscious that younger generations have no direct memory of the period and instead rely on the accounts and lessons passed down by those who experienced it.
Where to buy the book in Armagh
Writing a novel had long been a dream for McGrail, who regarded it as a bucket-list ambition. A scholarship with the John Hewitt Writing School in Armagh helped establish the foundations for the book.
Early interest from readers, including buyers in Australia, Belgium and Italy, encouraged McGrail to self-publish rather than wait for approval from a traditional publisher. She hopes the experience will encourage other aspiring writers to turn their ideas into books.
In Armagh, Beyond the Wall is available from Macari’s Newsagent, Rocks’ Newsagents and the Post Office on Barrack Street. The novel can also be purchased through Amazon.