Above Water: A Stolen Childhood, An Enduring Scandal, A Survivor's Story

by Trish Kearney

"When my parents signed me up to Trojan Swimming Club, they had no idea of the evil behind Gibney's interest in me. As a thirteen-year-old, who knew nothing but kindness and love, I was ill-equipped to understand what was happening as he insidiously dominated my thinking and isolated me from anyone who might come between us. The process of entrapment was quick, and in full view of my family and team-mates I became a prisoner - bullied, manipulated and abused, unnoticed by those close to me. So complete was Gibney's control of me that not only could I not see a way out, it didn't even occur to me to look for one."

At age thirteen, Trish Kearney's idyllic childhood was abruptly ended when her swimming coach - the internationally recognised George Gibney - began abusing her. Six years later, the Seoul Olympics firmly within her sights, she sacrificed a promising swimming career to walk free of her abuser.

In her memoir, she describes how suppressed memories of those difficult years resurfaced after the birth of her first child, and the momentous journey set in train when a letter arrived from former team-mate Gary O'Toole, opening the Pandora's box on the abuse - leading to a failed court case and Gibney's ultimate exposure in the press as a rampant, controlling paedophile.

Above Water is a survivor's story, of coming up for air after decades of burying trauma, and of learning to breathe again. It shines a light into dark places just as it casts its beam outwards, signalling the healing power of love, family and one woman's indomitable spirit.

Genres: Memoir

368 pages, Paperback

Published June 21, 2022

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I read this wonderful book, a devastating story of abuse but also full of hope, what it means to have love, support, family and to be believed. Trish Kearney’s story needs to be shared far and wide, read it.

[Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this tore my heart to shreds. A brave and heartbreaking account of the theft of childhood years by a serial abuser. While not graphic in any way, Trish's harrowing story creates emotional turmoil like nothing experienced before. I felt her pain, her shame, her inability to escape. I cried her tears, hid with her secrets, clawed at her walls. The endurance required to evolve into a responsible happy adult after such incredible indecency at the hands of another human being, a trusted person, is quite simply extraordinary.
Family relationships suffered. Trish Kearney brings us into her tight-knit loving family and shows us how a horrible secret can live unnoticed. It is scary, it is real and it happens all too frequently. I am in awe of Trish Kearney for being able to write this story, for being able to live her life, to enjoy her husband and children, to feel happiness and joy, when so much of her childhood was occupied by fear and dread. This is a story that should be read by everyone.

[Mairéad · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 A heartbreaking story, told with an openness and honesty that left me unable to put this book down before I had read it in its entirety. Though it is a harrowing tale of childhood abuse the tone is hopeful, allowing the reader to feel outrage & disgust at Trish's experiences as a child while taking comfort in the happy & supportive family life she describes having as an adult. A tough but important read.

[Emma Hannigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in 2 days, a gripping and difficult story so eloquently told. Trish has a wonderful style, she gave such insight into her life and her terrible trauma without revealing the brutal details of her abuse at the hands of such a monster. My heart broke when she spoke of her reluctance to leave her children alone with any man, no one should suffer like that. A must read.

[Aoife Cassidy McM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m an emotional reader at the best of times and I’d often shed a tear whilst reading an emotional passage in a book. It’s rare however that I find myself crying on and off the whole way through a book. In fact, off the top of my head I can’t recall this happening with any book, that is until I read this memoir by Trish Kearney.

It’s not that it’s all sad - in fact, her gutsy spirit shines throughout the book - it’s that the whole book is so charged with emotion and honesty. She writes so movingly about her family, and her relationship with her parents in particular. Her determination not to let the sexual abuse she endured as a child define her life is admirable.

I found this book eye-opening, with some stark insights into what life is like for a survivor of child abuse, including the effects on that person into motherhood and beyond, and particularly someone who endured abuse at a time in Ireland when children were simply not believed (I’m angry just typing those words).

Trish Kearney is inspirational and courageous beyond words. I hope she continues to heal over time; I have no doubt that her words will bring succour to so many other survivors.

I have deliberately not used the name of her abuser in this review. Trish’s voice is worth so much more and she deserves to be heard, loud and proud and clear.

Highly recommended, particularly for anyone who grew up in 1970s/1980s Ireland.

[B.R. Maycock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing and stunning typically irish family stories that resonated and so much positively and vibrance and hope and beauty and of course sadness in one book. More about the author's life growing up and life after , so there weren't the details of the abuse which made it easier to read but makes me sad that I didn't think I could handle the details when someone had to live it. I felt sick that any human being had to live through what she did and how she lost her teenage years but was humbled by how the author's fantastic positivity and resilience shines through. A book I won't forget.

[Bernie O Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations to Trish Kearney for her bravery and endurance. I know this story well , from a friend who was a victim of Derry O Rourke. The similarities are striking. These paedophiles have left a trail of hurt in their wake. It is important for everyone dealing with young children to read this book , to understand how these people can be so manipulative. Well done to everyone who continues to try and get Gibney to trial - he is a wicked person.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trish has shared, so eloquently, her story, a story of survival and of hope.
Amidst the horrific are tender moments from 108, Trish's family home. Mischief with her brother, sing songs and love jump from the pages.
I shed many a tear as I read Trish's memoir, she dug so deep and soared with strength.
She is a wonderful, gentle writer who deserves only the best in life.

[Cora McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having listened to the Where is George Gibney podcast I had a little foresight into this story, however the book is so well put together. Trish has beautifully told her story of a stolen childhood, in glancing detail, you know what has happened but it details are never heavily described which made it a much more enjoyable, but no less harrowing a read.

[Derek Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brave, courageous, honest, beyond sad, frustrating, proud...please add your own superlatives to this book

[Avril · Rating 5 out of 5]

At age thirteen, Trish Kearney's idyllic childhood was abruptly ended when her swimming coach - the internationally recognised George Gibney - began abusing her. Six years later, the Seoul Olympics firmly within her sights, she sacrificed a promising swimming career to walk free of her abuser.In her memoir, she describes how suppressed memories of those difficult years resurfaced after the birth of her first child, and the momentous journey set in train when a letter arrived from former team-mate Gary O'Toole, opening the Pandora's box on the abuse - leading to a failed court case and Gibney's ultimate exposure in the press as a rampant, controlling paedophile. Above Water is a survivor's story, of coming up for air after decades of burying trauma, and of learning to breathe again. It shines a light into dark places just as it casts its beam outwards, signalling the healing power of love, family and one woman's indomitable spirit.

Above Water, by Trish Kearney, is one of the most compelling, brave and honest stories I have ever read.

Before reading this book, I have to say that my knowledge of the George Gibney case was zero. I had read a work of fiction, "When We Were Silent" by Fiona McPhillips for my bookclub, and it was at our bookclub discussion that Gibney's name came up. I then remembered my local bookshop promoting a book by a local author a few years ago, that was the true story of an Irish swimmer who had experienced abuse at the hands of their swimming coach. I immediately hunted down the book, THIS book, and discovered the horrendous impact that this man had on the lives of so many.

While the story is utterly devastating, Trish writes in a way that allows us in to a part of her life in the most honest of ways. She writes so beautifully about so many wonderful moments with her parents, her husband and her children. And while, at times, I found parts of this book really difficult to read and sit with, these warm passages filled with hope, love and fond memories of the important people in Trish's life, kept drawing me back to it.

I urge you to go out and read Above Water, by Trish Kearney. If you have read works of fiction around the theme of abuse in the swimming/sports world, then you simply have to follow it up with the words of a true survivor.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a stunning, stunning write Trish. An incredible story of strength, endurance and overcoming such odds. It's not unlike my own story and so much of it hits hard, and brought me to tears several times. You capture such highs and lows of sexual abuse, its aftermath, the fractured childhood and the incredible healing power of those who love us as we are so that in fact we are able to return to self. Perhaps not as we might have imagined our survival all those decades ago, but whole, beautiful, loved and loving. You have earned every ounce of this journey and I for one am celebrating knowing another child has honestly broken free and clear. Fly high gorgeous! Soak every bit up. I would highly recommend this read to other survivors - keep speaking your truth every one of you.

[Paw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this story a bit mixed up. She goes into some detail, but I felt confused as she explains into detail her mother dying. i thought her mother died, not knowing she was abused ,then back to the past all of a sudden.
don't get me wrong, she is brave to even tell her story u just felt muddled up and a bit confused throughout.

[J Electric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the horrendous experience of the author this book is uplifting because of the brave, loving woman that emerges in the end. It may be useful to others who have suffered childhood sexual abuse. Trish writes in a way that makes it easy to read and engaging.

[Maisie Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*tw - sa, child abuse

A poignant autobiography which discusses the far reaching venom of abuse. Yet, the sadness is broken by compassion and love that outshines the horrific abuse. At times, this was very difficult to read but yet it felt like a privilege that the author shared it with us.

[Sinead · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely haunting account of what can only be described as harrowing abuse by someone truly evil. What an incredibly brave woman, a true inspiration

[Patricia Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So brave to tell her story.

[Olivia Sharkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping account of a woman's bravery.

[Sadhbh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after listing to the podcast mentioned in the book. A tough read, my heart broke for Trish and everyone else affected. There were some beautiful passages about her Mum and Dad which were really lovely to read. Thank you Trish for sharing this story of hope with us.