Posted by Sue Leonard on Thursday 1st April 2021
After school, Trish became a nurse – working for five years after she qualified.
“I went to Australia, and when I came home I got married. The following year I had my first daughter and stayed at home. I also minded two other children.”
In 1987, after Trish’s dad died, she began writing detailed diaries including her thoughts and feelings. And in 2012, she began a blog – My thoughts on a page- which attracted both readers and blog awards.
“Four years later The Examiner offered me a humorous column, It’s My Life, which I wrote for two and half years.”
Meanwhile, Trish started writing a book – gaining confidence from the Cork Writers in-Residence scheme, and a private writing group.
“I was writing fiction, but I met a block.”
Trish realised that before she could settle to fiction, she would have to write an account of the abuse she suffered from George Gibney, as a teenager.
“Initially, I wrote it for my children, but I hope it will help other victims of abuse. I wrote it as short stories, and my agent and editors helped me to weave it all together.”
Who is Trish Kearney?
Date of birth: 1966 in Dublin.
Education: Rockwood Manor, and repeated her Leaving Certificate at Newpark; St Vincent’s Hospital, Nursing.
Home: Cork.
Family: Husband, Eamon. Aoife, 29, Tiarnán, 26, Naoise, 23 and Caoimhe, 19.
The Day Job: Fulltime Writer.
In Another Life: “I’d love to have been a teacher.”
Favourite Writers: Donal Ryan; Sebastian Barry, “and I love reading memoirs and poetry.”
Second Novel: “I’m working on two novels.”
Top Tip: “Don’t hold yourself back.”
Website: www.mythoughtsonapage.com Twitter: @Trickearney
The Debut: Above Water. Hachette Books Ireland. €14.99. Kindle: €11.56.
When swimming coach George Gibney first gave Trish special attention, she was pleased. The 13-year-old was aiming for the top – but soon the abuse began. Gibney dominated Trish’s life in a process of entrapment and control right through her teens – stalking her every day.
For years, Trish suppressed her memories. Then a letter from her former friend and teammate, Gary O’Toole arrived, telling of Gibney’s widespread abuse. That led to her ultimate survival.
The Verdict: A powerful story beautifully told; it highlights the damage abuse inflicts, yet the text is never gratuitous.
Published in the Irish Examiner on 27th February.
© Sue J Leonard. 2021.