Kildare author publishes second novel
Mary Moloney, who publishes her debut novel this week, standing outside the Moat Theatre in Naas recently
AT a time when most people would be looking at the benefits of retirement, Naas novelist Mary Moloney (65) is to publish her second novel by the end of the month (28 April).
Mary practices her naturopathy out of a clinic at her home in Mountain View on the Blessington Road out of Naas, having previously been a primary school teacher in the girl’s school in Clane.
“I’m from Limerick originally, but I’ve been a long time in Kildare,” she said.
Her book delivers a tender, emotionally resonant story about three women whose lives — each marked by grief — intertwine through an evening class in practical philosophy.
As they blend ancient wisdom with newfound connection, they discover that healing rarely arrives in the ways we expect.
Perfect for fans of Helen Paris’ T and by Maeve Binchy, invites readers into a world where grief meets hope, and where the quiet strength of women becomes a force all its own.
Struggling to come to terms with the death of her son in a drowning accident, 50-year-old Caitriona decides to enrol in evening class in Practical Philosophy, hoping it will provide the perfect distraction to her grief.
There, she meets two other women, Alva and Aedmar, whose lives have been equally impacted by tragedy.
At 38, Alva has only recently escaped from an abusive relationship and is desperate to have a baby of her own, knowing her biological clock is ticking.
Meanwhile, soon-to-be 70-year-old Aedmar is struggling to balance the needs of her husband, who has Alzheimer's, and her foster daughter’s determination to find her birth family.
As the three women get to know one another, their lives become increasingly interconnected, and they come to realise that no matter what life throws at them, the enduring power of female friendship will see them through.
“I myself became a member of a threesome of women of differing ages who bonded over a philosophy class and whilst now we are totally different to the characters in this novel, the idea for arose from this,” said Mary.
“I then years later witnessed another threesome in my nursing home, all relatives of patients and that bond was quite awesome.”
Published by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers, is published on 28 April and will be available in paperback at £11.99 and eBook format.
Mary has always been a scribbler, and after trying her hand at everything from poetry to flash fiction, she joined a local writing group The Moat Writers.
Then, four years later, self-published her debut novel in June 2024, with a successful book launch at her local cultural and arts centre.
Mary’s other pursuits include theatre, painting, singing, and walking her small dog, Ally.
