Dentist-turned-author marks chart success for debut book at Limerick launch event
After years practicing dentistry in Limerick and Shannon, Laura Keohane is carving out an exciting new career as a children’s author. Blending Irish mythology, family and adventure, her first book has captured the imagination of young readers nationwide
A FORMER dentist who swapped dental drills for storytelling has seen her debut children’s novel soar to number two in the national children’s book charts following its launch in Limerick.
Laura Keohane, née Kirwan, from Shannon, officially launched Secret of the Selkies at O’Mahony’s Bookshop in Limerick on May 7, marking a major milestone in what she describes as an unexpected but deeply personal creative journey.
Published by The O'Brien Press, the fantasy fiction novel is aimed at readers aged nine and older and is rooted in Irish folklore and the wild coastline of County Clare.
The cover illustration was designed by Domenique Serfontain.
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The story follows 11-year-old Lana, who discovers a mysterious coat hidden in her grandparents’ attic while spending the summer at Carrig Cottage on the Clare coast. Attached to the coat is a luggage tag bearing the instruction: “Try on in water.”
When Lana follows the instructions, she discovers she has selkie heritage — mythical shape-shifting beings from Irish and Scottish folklore who live as seals in the sea before shedding their skins to become human on land.
“It’s really a big story about family and belonging and adventure, as well as magic,” Laura explained.
Now aged 41, Laura trained as a dentist at University College Cork and spent 16 years practising in Limerick and Shannon, including periods working at clinics in the city centre and Shannon. She is currently taking a break from dentistry while studying to become a primary school teacher through Hibernia College.
Despite always loving books, she said she never seriously considered writing until a chance moment on Lahinch beach several years ago.
“I remember thinking, ‘She’s like a selkie,’ and the spark hit me then.”
Laura eventually began writing the novel during a self-imposed 30-day writing challenge inspired by fellow author Alex Dunn.
“I thought I'd give it a go which was very ambitious and very stupid off of me,” said Laura.
“But at the end of the month, I had a very, very rough draft of what is now Secret of the Selkies.”
Although she had no formal writing background, Laura said support from the Irish literary community helped her develop the manuscript further. She worked closely with Limerick-based author Gráinne O'Brien, while a bursary from Children's Books Ireland allowed her to spend a week at the prestigious Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig, County Monaghan.
“That was the most illuminating, amazing experience of my life and I'm so grateful to Children's Books Ireland.”
The Clare woman continued: “From there, I really started owning the identity of a writer. Before that I was a complete imposter who didn't tell anyone. Nobody knew I wrote anything... so it was sort of a bit of an identity shift for me to sort of step into that.”
“I'm really proud that I've carved out a little bit of a creative space for myself.”
Laura said Irish mythology and folklore had fascinated her since childhood, citing the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Fianna and the storytelling traditions she encountered growing up in Shannon.
“I think we're really lucky in Ireland that we have such a rich sort of folklore and bealata and I've always loved the Irish myths and legends.”
The author also believes children’s literature should not shy away from difficult emotions and experiences.
“Children's writing needs to be really respectful of children, and children deserve that. There's no point in mollycoddling them... I think it's really important to represent kids and to make sure that you hit some hard truths and realities in a way that supports and scaffolds them, and teaching has really helped me with that.”
Balancing writing alongside raising three children and studying for a teaching qualification was not always easy, she admitted, with much of the novel written in short bursts between school runs, early mornings and family life.
“It is not glamorous at all,” revealed Laura discussing her writing process. “Usually with writing, I try and grab it in the sort of little hidden moments. So if I'm dropping the lads to their stage school or anything like that, I'll sit in the car and I'll scribble in my notebook for 15 or 20 minutes.
“There is not the luxury there, unfortunately, with three kids to write all day but maybe someday. That would be the dream.”
The launch event at O'Mahony's Booksellers drew a bumper crowd, with managing director Ivan O'Brien attending alongside authors Alex Dunn and Gráinne O’Brien, who formally launched the book.
Laura said she was overwhelmed by the support the novel has received since publication, saying it was “absolutely amazing.” She also recalled receiving the positive news from her publisher that Secret of the Selkies had reached the national charts in the number two position in the children's chart.