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

by Mary M. Trant

216 pages, Paperback

Published August 7, 2024

Reviews

[Wendy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful memoir about a "free range" childhood in Ireland. An easy read written in heartfelt language. The author's love of her family and country comes through from start to finish.

[Marianne Crichton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and so heartwarming!

It was a privilege to join Maggie and Ted…along with their family, friends, neighbours and animals…as they navigated childhood ‘between the mountains and the sea’ in a gentler and much simpler time.
Beautifully written and so heartwarming!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me back to being a child, sat in my grandparents kitchen with tea and cake as they told stories. My nan had a fair share of war time stories. My grandad had a fair share of everything, some bordering a little too close to fantasy. My mum would join in too about her childhood. The stories were always fun to hear. It always seemed like, other than the war stories, there was something peaceful and welcoming in those memories that made me wish I could time travel back to them.

This book is just like that. Mary tells us the memories of her irish childhood. Her family, the things they got up to on the farm, vivid descriptions of the scenery, adventures and the more normal day to day life things. Even the most normal parts had an edge of magic to them thanks to Mary's wonderful story telling.

I was however particularly taken by the chapter regarding The Banshee. I have a fancy for folklore and local legends. I'm already aware of this one from watching a television show where it was mentioned so seeing it pop up was exciting. Although the end of this chapter gave me chills!! And of course the chapter about fairies too. A bit of magic with a bit of a scare!
I also love that Mary includes the occasional poem to go with these tales too.

This book made me reflect, made me cry (the quote about being what you loved most about the person who is gone fell at the right time), and made me laugh. A stunning non fiction novel that will stay with me for a long time, and remind me to be grateful for the little things that life offers.

[Aoife · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trant time travels the reader to a simpler time, in her beloved Gorse Valley, Co. Kerry. This is an ode to the times left behind full of grit, guts and glory.
Although there were hardships aplenty, we see how a community and family came together to make a living, memories and an idyllic childhood for Mary.

We learn about the rituals, characters and milestones of early rural living. The book illustrates farming through the eyes of a child. How the animals were seen as pets rather than livestock, how they wished to help with the farm work, unknowing the dangers they may have been putting themselves in and how the church played a strong role within the community.

The book is sprinkled with funny anecdotes throughout, but comes to an abrupt end when the author and reader leave the innocence of the Kingdom of Kerry behind when the family make the big move to Dublin.

It was perfect timing for me to read this. As I marry my Kerry husband in the next few weeks. I realise not obviously to the same extent of what he’s leaving behind for Dublin, but I know the simplicity of Kerry, the fresher air, the sense of community and of course the landscape is never far behind for the Kerry folk!

[theirishbooklover]

Descriptive, Real, Adventurous.

This book brings the reader through the life of Maggie and Ted who lives between the mountains and the sea in county Kerry in the 1950s.

I really enjoyed reading about Maggie and Ted's childhood adventures. I found it fascinating reading about what life was like in Ireland during that time period but especially in rural county Kerry. I learned different things about rural life and some Irish words that I hadn't heard of.

It made me think alot about my own childhood and his much different being a child is now.

The writing style is very easy to read and well written with a very natural ending to the book that I found quite poignant.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Irish biographies, history of Ireland or just a lovely childhood story. It is quite short at around 215 pages but well worth the read.

Thank you to the author for a #gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Frankie Am · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful and heartfelt read. Between the Mountains and the Sea takes you gently back to the magic and wonder of childhood. The storytelling is so vivid and realistic that you feel completely drawn into the journey, as though you are living inside the story itself. Every page paints a picture so clear and honest, it feels like watching a movie unfold before your eyes. A truly inspiring and memorable book.

[Tatiana Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book with Mary’s childhood stories; wonderfully described scenery of the Irish landscapes, houses, food and traditions. I learned something new e.g. The Stations (page 187). Mary, your writing is beautiful! I enjoyed reading your book very much and hope one day to read more. Thank you for sharing!

[Mary White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Mary's relationship with her brother Ted was beautifully detailed throughout the often sad, often funny activities throughout their rural upbringing in 1950's Ireland.
It brought me back to a world we have lost but thoughtfully documented in Mary's memoir.

Keep writing, Mary.