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Life Between the Mountains and the Sea - A Memoir of an Irish Childhood

By Mary M. Trant

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A charming memoir of an Irish childhood, full of adventure, tradition, and heart. It is a love letter to a vanishing way of life in Ireland.

Synopsis

A captivating insight at a vanishing world
Childhood memoirs rarely come any more enchanting than this. In sharing her experiences growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s, Mary M. Trant brings to life a world we have lost.

Maggie and her brother Ted – just a year apart in age but joined forever by love and caring – rampage around their little world, sliding down forbidden water pipes, rounding up the family menagerie composed of any farm animal you could imagine from hens to horses and Mary brings their sheer joy of living exultantly to the page.

Mary’s world is unique and it is filled with a riot of characters, from family to the villagers – Mrs O’Brien, over from America to find some peace in her last years; Danjoe and his wife, whose already-brimming home always has room for just one more; Josh the postman, with his exciting parcels from Aunt Maureen in San Francisco, that magical land to the far west that Maggie and Ted look for with their hands made into binoculars as the sun sets. There is death and birth but mostly glorious happiness in this creative nonfiction memoir that truly deserves the word ‘uplifting’.

In her charming debut memoir, Life Between the Mountains and the Sea - A Memoir of an Irish Childhood, Mary M. Trant takes readers on a poignant journey through her childhood in the picturesque Gorse Valley of County Kerry, Ireland. Trant's vivid storytelling captures the essence of growing up in a world of adventure, folklore, and tradition, giving readers a powerful sense of nostalgia.


Trant's firsthand experiences of farm life, exciting local fairs, tales of fairies, and the mysterious yet terrifying Banshee tell of a rich childhood where family is at the heart of all you do. Trant's descriptions are so vivid that readers can almost smell the fresh air and hear the nearby sea. Her tales of watching her Pop and Grandpa working their farm and tending to the livestock are so descriptive that they make you appreciate what backbreaking work farmers endured.


What sets Life Between the Mountains and the Sea - A Memoir of an Irish Childhood apart is Trant's ability to write a touching story with an excellent balance of humor. Readers will find themselves laughing at the stories of childish mischief while being deeply moved by the moments of sadness. Trant's honesty and vulnerability shine through, creating a deep connection with her audience. Her memories are intense, vivid and detailed.


One of the book's strengths is its celebration of the rich Irish culture and tradition. Trant's deep love for her homeland is evident on every page, and her memoir is a beautiful tribute to a way of life that is slowly fading. Trant's memories preserve the essence of rural Ireland, ensuring that future generations can relive her experiences and the magic of her childhood through the pages of her book.


Life Between the Mountains and the Sea—A Memoir of an Irish Childhood is a good choice for anyone who appreciates books about childhood memories filled with innocence, wonder, and tradition. Trant's memoir reminds you of simpler times and is a testament to the power of storytelling. Trant's love for her family and Ireland shines throughout.

Reviewed by
Elizabeth Javor

I’m Elizabeth Javor, the voice behind The Book Marketing Nook blog (www.TheBookMarketingNook.com). With over 17 years of experience in publishing and marketing, I have developed a passion for helping authors connect with readers through insightful, impactful strategies and reviews.

Life Between the Mountains and the Sea - A Memoir of an Irish Childhood

Written by Mary M. Trant

Buy it nowBuy nowBuy
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Synopsis

A captivating insight at a vanishing world
Childhood memoirs rarely come any more enchanting than this. In sharing her experiences growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s, Mary M. Trant brings to life a world we have lost.

Maggie and her brother Ted – just a year apart in age but joined forever by love and caring – rampage around their little world, sliding down forbidden water pipes, rounding up the family menagerie composed of any farm animal you could imagine from hens to horses and Mary brings their sheer joy of living exultantly to the page.

Mary’s world is unique and it is filled with a riot of characters, from family to the villagers – Mrs O’Brien, over from America to find some peace in her last years; Danjoe and his wife, whose already-brimming home always has room for just one more; Josh the postman, with his exciting parcels from Aunt Maureen in San Francisco, that magical land to the far west that Maggie and Ted look for with their hands made into binoculars as the sun sets. There is death and birth but mostly glorious happiness in this creative nonfiction memoir that truly deserves the word ‘uplifting’.

Maggie and Ted

Having pondered for way too long, I am excited to recount my childhood adventures, most of which I shared with my brother Ted, and how our lives were influenced by family members and where we lived in rural Ireland.

My brother, Ted, born in 1950, was now six years old – a big burly lad, with curly red hair that leaped around his head like springs. I, Maggie, was one year his junior, slight in stature, with rosy-red cheeks, and silky black hair.

In our childhood years we were blessed to be surrounded by Kate, our mum, and Jimmy, our pop. This blessing was twofold, with Nano and Grandpa John, our paternal grandparents, also living with us. We had two older sisters, Cait and Elizabeth, but it was a foregone conclusion that Ted and me would be playmates, as we were nearest in age.

At this time, the Irish language was still used by our parents and grandparents, albeit sparingly and intermingled with English. We lived in the most picturesque part of Ireland, between the mountains and sea, in a wee townland called Gorse Valley in County Kerry. The mountain range above our farm holding, and the sea below, stretched for miles in either direction – a townland of rugged magical beauty and a neighbourhood where everyone supported each other.

I invite you to come back with me, to where we had time to be children and life moved at a slower pace. Enjoy the journey!

Maggie – 2024

Life Between the Mountains and the Sea - A Memoir of an Irish Childhood

Written by Mary M. Trant

Buy it nowBuy nowBuy
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4 Comments

Mary M. Trant – Thank you Elizabeth for wonderful review. @elizabethjavor
1 like
7 months ago
Elizabeth Javor – @marymtrant It was my pleasure!
1 like
6 months ago
Wendy Hart – Thanks for connecting. I thought you would like to know, I followed the buy it now link & it took me to the Canadian marketplace of Amazon, which said it was unavailable. I have now downloaded it from Kindle Unlimited on the Australian site and started to read it.
0 likes
5 months ago
Mary M. Trant – @wendyhart Thank you Wendy, very thoughtful of you to let me know about link. Really appreciated, Mary.
0 likes
5 months ago
About the author

Mary a native of County Kerry, Ireland, with her unique firsthand experiences while living within a rural farming community, was the inspiration for Life Between the Mountains and the Sea A Memoir of an Irish Childhood. She now lives in County Dublin, Ireland with her family and five dogs. view profile

Published on August 07, 2024

60000 words

Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆

Genre:Historical Fiction

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