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A Light That Never Goes Out: A Memoir
When Keelin Shanley passed away aged 51, it was hard to grasp that someone so filled with life was gone. But a light so bright never really goes out, especially since in her last few months Keelin left behind this remarkable record of her life – a life cut short, but lived to the fullest.
Charting the twists and turns of both a career as an investigative journalist and a lengthy battle with cancer, A Light That Never Goes Out reveals with real honesty what it's like to keep living your life whilst dealing with the challenges of cancer treatment.
Completed posthumously by Keelin's husband Conor, A Light That Never Goes Out is a remarkable story of courage and resilience and a memorable reflection on how to live well, no matter what you're facing.
'Keelin's compelling story is as powerful as the woman she was.' Liz Nugent
'This is such a beautiful book. It's oddly uplifting to read, even though at times I was jack-knived with sorrow. Keelin the most remarkable person - her positivity, her grace, her gratitude for her life would recalibrate anyone's attitude. A life-affirming read that will make every reader grateful for the people they love.' Marian Keyes
'A stunning memoir – courageous, searingly honest, moving, funny, an incredible life story beautifully told.' Miriam O'Callaghan
'A beautiful love story, a behind-the-scenes career exposition and a candid telling of what it is like to live with, and die from, cancer. Heartbreakingly honest and heartachingly inspirational.' Caitríona Perry, RTÉ Six One News Co-Presenter and Author
'I found myself moved again and again by how simply and truthfully Keelin talks about the experience of dying and I am in awe of the immense courage she showed in her final months. A book which might have been bleak instead breathes with love – for her work, her colleagues, her friends and above all, her family.' Lenny Abrahamson, Director Normal People, Room
'A memoir that weaves the heart-breaking story of Keelin's terminal illness with joyous, insightful and frequently funny accounts from her life and career. A testament to the ultimate triumph of her unconquerable spirit.' Bryan Dobson
Charting the twists and turns of both a career as an investigative journalist and a lengthy battle with cancer, A Light That Never Goes Out reveals with real honesty what it's like to keep living your life whilst dealing with the challenges of cancer treatment.
Completed posthumously by Keelin's husband Conor, A Light That Never Goes Out is a remarkable story of courage and resilience and a memorable reflection on how to live well, no matter what you're facing.
'Keelin's compelling story is as powerful as the woman she was.' Liz Nugent
'This is such a beautiful book. It's oddly uplifting to read, even though at times I was jack-knived with sorrow. Keelin the most remarkable person - her positivity, her grace, her gratitude for her life would recalibrate anyone's attitude. A life-affirming read that will make every reader grateful for the people they love.' Marian Keyes
'A stunning memoir – courageous, searingly honest, moving, funny, an incredible life story beautifully told.' Miriam O'Callaghan
'A beautiful love story, a behind-the-scenes career exposition and a candid telling of what it is like to live with, and die from, cancer. Heartbreakingly honest and heartachingly inspirational.' Caitríona Perry, RTÉ Six One News Co-Presenter and Author
'I found myself moved again and again by how simply and truthfully Keelin talks about the experience of dying and I am in awe of the immense courage she showed in her final months. A book which might have been bleak instead breathes with love – for her work, her colleagues, her friends and above all, her family.' Lenny Abrahamson, Director Normal People, Room
'A memoir that weaves the heart-breaking story of Keelin's terminal illness with joyous, insightful and frequently funny accounts from her life and career. A testament to the ultimate triumph of her unconquerable spirit.' Bryan Dobson
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2020
40 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 18, 2020
Emotional
Emotional read you really feel like your with Keelin on her journey through her short life. God rest her now.
Emotional read you really feel like your with Keelin on her journey through her short life. God rest her now.
May 20, 2021
This book really broke my heart.
Most Irish people will be familiar with Keelin Shanley, an award-winning investigative journalist and broadcaster who before her untimely death in February 2020 presented Ireland’s flagship news programme.
This book is her memoir, written in the months before she died of cancer at the age of 51, leaving behind her husband Conor and two young children. I remember being so shocked when she died, on the same day as the general election she would always have covered on tv. Her illness was not widely known at the time.
The book is so poignant and heartbreaking. Keelin wrote it while facing her impending death, and her stoicism and grace are remarkable. Her sunny disposition, humility, empathetic nature and no-nonsense approach to life really shine through.
She shares interesting insights on her life and her career as a journalist and broadcaster, but it’s the insights into her diagnosis and prognosis and how she faces it that feel deeply personal and are so affecting. I’m so glad I read it.
This will be too close to the bone for some readers but if it sounds like something you’d be interested in, I would really recommend it. Keelin’s husband Conor wrote (and narrates) the final chapter and epilogue and does so beautifully.
I listened to the audiobook on @BorrowBox via @librariesireland. It was nominated for the An Post Irish Book Awards in 2020, and was awarded the RTÉ Listeners Choice Award.
Most Irish people will be familiar with Keelin Shanley, an award-winning investigative journalist and broadcaster who before her untimely death in February 2020 presented Ireland’s flagship news programme.
This book is her memoir, written in the months before she died of cancer at the age of 51, leaving behind her husband Conor and two young children. I remember being so shocked when she died, on the same day as the general election she would always have covered on tv. Her illness was not widely known at the time.
The book is so poignant and heartbreaking. Keelin wrote it while facing her impending death, and her stoicism and grace are remarkable. Her sunny disposition, humility, empathetic nature and no-nonsense approach to life really shine through.
She shares interesting insights on her life and her career as a journalist and broadcaster, but it’s the insights into her diagnosis and prognosis and how she faces it that feel deeply personal and are so affecting. I’m so glad I read it.
This will be too close to the bone for some readers but if it sounds like something you’d be interested in, I would really recommend it. Keelin’s husband Conor wrote (and narrates) the final chapter and epilogue and does so beautifully.
I listened to the audiobook on @BorrowBox via @librariesireland. It was nominated for the An Post Irish Book Awards in 2020, and was awarded the RTÉ Listeners Choice Award.
October 29, 2020
A beautiful, heart-wrenching book. Keelin whisks you along on her trail-blazing journey through life and towards journey’s end. She will live on in the pages of this book and when they turn yellow from age, she will be triumphant. Vincero.
January 28, 2021
A truly lovely read. The spirit of Keelin shines through every page. Her pragmatic practical approach to her profession and then later her illness is to be greatly admired. Her sense of humour helped her face her challenges. She certainly was not defined by her cancer and lived life to the full. A good lesson in there for all of us!
May 4, 2024
Emotional and inspiring read
January 3, 2021
This was one of the most difficult books I think I've ever read.
It it absolutely heartbreaking and so hard to follow her on her journey, knowing what was coming.
As a TV personality, she was so familiar, I felt like I knew her. I found my self thinking about the times I had watched her without knowing she was sick. Imagining her coping with her illness. All the while life around her goes on, wondering how her husband and kids will cope when she's gone.
Some have described it as uplifting. I didn't find it so. One positive I did take from it is to be so thankful for the things she lamented most - Her Children, not being there to see how they will make their mark in life.
If there is a lesson, it's to be thankful you're alive and live life to the full, don't take it for granted.
Difficult and all as it is, this is a memoir that deserves to be read, to appreciate her as a member of an audience who never knew what was going on behind the screen.
It it absolutely heartbreaking and so hard to follow her on her journey, knowing what was coming.
As a TV personality, she was so familiar, I felt like I knew her. I found my self thinking about the times I had watched her without knowing she was sick. Imagining her coping with her illness. All the while life around her goes on, wondering how her husband and kids will cope when she's gone.
Some have described it as uplifting. I didn't find it so. One positive I did take from it is to be so thankful for the things she lamented most - Her Children, not being there to see how they will make their mark in life.
If there is a lesson, it's to be thankful you're alive and live life to the full, don't take it for granted.
Difficult and all as it is, this is a memoir that deserves to be read, to appreciate her as a member of an audience who never knew what was going on behind the screen.
March 29, 2023
A very moving real depiction of a young woman who has to live knowing she is dying. So very sad but also incredible. Thank you
December 31, 2020
So very moving and honest. Such a lovely person and a huge loss, especially to her family. Just couldn’t put it down and as it’s New Years Eve today I needed to finish it and think of what she went through despite all the smiles on RTÉ news.
May she rest in peace and her family cope with life after Keelin.
May she rest in peace and her family cope with life after Keelin.
April 3, 2021
A compelling, emotional and thought- provoking read. It is both heartbreaking and inspirational all at the same time. Found it difficult to put this book down, as each page provided new insights and I felt like I was embarking on the journey with Keelin; whether it was while she was reporting from the earthquake stricken Haiti, or receiving her cancer treatment at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.
I have nothing but admiration for Keelin and her hugely successful career as a journalist with RTÉ, as well as being a caring and devoted wife, mother, sister, auntie, colleague and friend. . An incredible role model for all budding journalists out there, or for anyone who is currently finding life to just be too much to deal with right now.
This book reminded me of the importance of the simplicities of life, focusing on the people, places and passions that matter most to you. And quite simply, not taking anything for granted, although that can be difficult at times, in the chaos of everyday life. I gained even more of an appreciation for Keelin, after reading this book and I would recommend this book to anyone!
I have nothing but admiration for Keelin and her hugely successful career as a journalist with RTÉ, as well as being a caring and devoted wife, mother, sister, auntie, colleague and friend. . An incredible role model for all budding journalists out there, or for anyone who is currently finding life to just be too much to deal with right now.
This book reminded me of the importance of the simplicities of life, focusing on the people, places and passions that matter most to you. And quite simply, not taking anything for granted, although that can be difficult at times, in the chaos of everyday life. I gained even more of an appreciation for Keelin, after reading this book and I would recommend this book to anyone!
July 11, 2021
I’ve seen the wonderful Keelin Shanley co-host the evening news headlines on our national boardcasting channel, and was deeply saddened by her death just over a year ago.
Her story is told in a beautiful way in which reflects on her crazy life as a journalist, mourning the loss of her own life while also living life to the fullest. Her career took her to the worst places in the world which the information was a bit heavy at times. Yet I really enjoyed reading this.
Her own husband concludes the story that she was unfortunately not able to do, which was a nice dedication to read.
Four stars from me, rest in peace Keelin Shanley.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Her story is told in a beautiful way in which reflects on her crazy life as a journalist, mourning the loss of her own life while also living life to the fullest. Her career took her to the worst places in the world which the information was a bit heavy at times. Yet I really enjoyed reading this.
Her own husband concludes the story that she was unfortunately not able to do, which was a nice dedication to read.
Four stars from me, rest in peace Keelin Shanley.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 13, 2021
I’m so terribly upset after finishing Keelin Shanley’s book. I knew how it would end obviously, but only a heart of stone could be unaffected by the ending of such a wonderful life. She was a remarkable journalist, woman, mother, wife, daughter, friend, human. She left such a legacy, so much to be proud of. She risked so much for Irish TV viewers. She is a personality who won’t be forgotten in a hurry. Conor’s ending was a wonderful ending to her previous memoir. I hope he, Lucy & Ben are doing well. Keelin will always be by their side.
September 15, 2021
Interesting memoir of Keelin's life and last year or so. Worth reading to get some insights into how Stage IV metastatic breast cancer is treated and how life contracts into ever decreasing circles as the illness progresses - it is a book written by someone facing death who knows it, which may make it a difficult read for some. I'm sure the book was cathartic for Keelin to write, however it is really a snapshot of her own personal journey and may not apply universally to everyone's experience.
December 19, 2020
Keelin Shanley was one of Ireland's best TV investigative journalists. After two bouts of cancer, she died aged 51 in February 2020. Written in the final months of her life, this is a mixture of recollections of her earlier life and reflections on the battle with cancer that she eventually realises is only going to end one way. Moving and yet by no means morbid, this is highly recommended.
March 16, 2021
At times I was so engrosed in the stories Keelin was telling of her times as a news correspondent, I almost forgot that this was not an autobiography of her life as a journalist but her letting go of life, a true professional to the end. So well written, and sadly an ending that we all wish never came true.
June 23, 2021
Simply put, this memoir is truly uplifting and life affirming. That may sound as an odd or possibly even insensitive description but written by Keelin Shanley, with a final chapter by her husband Connor Ferguson, Keelin details her journey from her cancer diagnosis to the end of her life. From reflections on the highlights of her career, many of which are incredibly impressive - and remind me of why I was always in awe of Keelin Shanley - to everyday life with her family, she reminds you so simply of the importance of family and being true to yourself. Career and fighting for what you believe in is critical, but best of all are love and family.
Yes, I cried but I also laughed and I will return to this memoir again.
Yes, I cried but I also laughed and I will return to this memoir again.
November 19, 2021
Although I was away when Keelin became 6 o’clock news ( literally ), watching her documentary and reading this book this was one special woman. Not how she died but how she lived her life. It is such a reminder to live every day like it is your last and to love passionately. Everyone should read this book. ❤️❤️
August 1, 2022
Audio version. I found the narrator's voice a little off putting if I'm honest but Keelin gave a great insight into her life as a journalist / TV presenter and how a terminal cancer diagnosis impacts every aspect of your life and that of your family. This book will stay with me for a long time.
January 15, 2021
Outstanding, heartbreaking, and inspirational.
May 1, 2021
Such a strong lady and a wonderful book. May she rest in peace
June 8, 2021
4 ⭐️🎧
July 11, 2021
A beautiful memoir, so sad…
January 13, 2022
Great book
June 4, 2022
A good memoir. I wish it was in chronological order though.
January 24, 2024
An amazing book by an amazing woman, unending gratitude to Keelin Shanley for having written this. What a loss but the statement is true, she is a light that will never go out
February 17, 2025
Siobhan got this for me today, it's a beautiful book and is very fitting for everything we're going through right now. I'm encouraging my other family members to read it as well
June 26, 2025
A beautiful, honest, and deeply moving memoir that stayed with me long after I finished it.
July 3, 2021
A beautiful memoir written by a beautiful soul.
Keelin reiterates throughout the book the importance of family support, the value of a loving upbringing and the advantages that it affords to those of us lucky enough to have that. She highlighted the qualities and talents of the people that she had met who were in very unfortunate circumstances largely due to the hand they had been dealt in life and thereby encourages us to have compassion, rather than judgement, for them.
The book is a wonderful gift to her children, family, friends and all who have the fortune to learn from her kindness, compassion, drive, optimism, fun-loving nature, and humility.
Keelin reiterates throughout the book the importance of family support, the value of a loving upbringing and the advantages that it affords to those of us lucky enough to have that. She highlighted the qualities and talents of the people that she had met who were in very unfortunate circumstances largely due to the hand they had been dealt in life and thereby encourages us to have compassion, rather than judgement, for them.
The book is a wonderful gift to her children, family, friends and all who have the fortune to learn from her kindness, compassion, drive, optimism, fun-loving nature, and humility.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews