Off the Record! Eight great books from 2022 by Limerick authors

Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes
In her twenties, Rachel Walsh was a mess. But, after rehab, she has come a long way and is back to where it all started.

This time around, the student has become the teacher at the rehab centre. Rachel has love, a family, and a great job. But when an old flame comes back to Ireland, she is faced with her past – and with whom she once was.

Even though Keyes touches on topics of addiction, depression, and abuse, she still manages to move from tragedy to comedy.

Things I Know by Helena Close
A thought-provoking and compassionate read, Things I Know tells the story of Saoirse, whose boyfriend dies by suicide. Everyone blames Saoirse, even herself, as she cheated on him with his best friend.

On the evening of the school debs, she throws herself into the river and wakes up in a psychiatric hospital. With the support of a friendly hospital cleaner and her friends and family, the young woman finds herself again.

Life Before Us by Roisin Meaney
A novel packed with warmth and charm, Life Before Us tells the separate stories of Alice and George; they are perfect for each other, yet they’ve never met.

When she discovers her boyfriend has been lying to her, Alice makes a radical decision and moves back home with her aunt in Galway.

With a little help from her aunt, she buys herself time to figure out what she really wants in life. Ever since his wife left him with their daughter, George has been used to his routine.

Now that she is engaged, he wonders if it’s time to find someone new.

Into Chaos by Sans. PRESS
Published by Limerick independent publisher, Sans.PRESS, this short-story collection delivers chaos in every unique way imaginable.

Into Chaos leaves what is known behind to embrace magic, parallel dimensions, alien civilisations, and the beauty of reality. With cover artwork designed by Dominique Ramsey, the collection features stories from both Irish and international writers, celebrates adventure, and the capacity of finding joy in the most unexpected places.

Paulie, The Ball and Lomu by Tom Moloney
In Paulie, the Ball and Lomu, Broadford writer, Tom Moloney brings us a collection of witty short stories.

A Frenchwoman prepares a special meal for her husband, a recluse receives a surprise letter from her nun-sister, a bitch writes a jail journal from the lifers’ wing.

From Limerick rugby to life’s meaninglessness to nostalgic stories from his youth, the author tackles several topics while playing with different genres of the short form.

The Road to Riverdance by Bill Whelan
A colourful and entertaining account of Whelan’s personal journey to a Grammy-winning success, The Road to Riverdance explores how the composer made it to the Eurovision Song Contest.

From a memorable South African touring group in Limerick, to setting up a recording studio in his family home, to producing ‘The Refugee’ in U2’s iconic War album, the author takes us down memory lane for his memoir.

Underbelly by Tom Fitzgerald
When a teenage boy witnesses an elderly man being attacked in a local wood, he is immediately threatened by a menacing stranger to keep what he saw a secret to ensure his father’s safety. A few days later, the corpse of a penniless drunk disappears from his coffin in a rural church.

The events conspire to turn the life of local curate and former solider, Fr Liam Hegarty, upside down. When the boy’s future wellbeing rests on his shoulders, Liam’s commitment to find peaceful solutions to conflict is tested to an extreme.

As the secrets of their town start to get exposed, Knockeven locals discover their neighbours will stop at nothing to satisfy their sexual and financial desires.

The Poorest of the Poor by Dr Seosamh Ó Cuinneagáin
Every year, Dr Seosamh Ó Cuinneagáin returns to Kolkata in India where he teaches English to street children, and attends to the dying in Mother Teresa’s hospice.

In The Poorest of the Poor, the author presents a vivid picture of what life is like in the slums of Kolkata, while also documenting the lives of his two role models, Edmund Rice and St. Teresa and Kolkata – who made him want to help the poor in the developing world.