The Moon Over Kilmore Quay By Carmel Harrington

‘The Moon Over Kilmore Quay’ is the latest book by Carmel Harrington.

Brooklyn, New York, Bea has grown up in the heart of the Irish community, always hearing stories of home. When she discovers a letter from her younger self, written years before, it sends her deep into her own family history. Kilmore Quay, Ireland. Years earlier, Lucy Mernagh leaves her much-loved home and family in search of the New York dream. The Big Apple is a world away from the quiet village she grew up in, and the longing for home aches within her. When Bea uncovers a shocking secret, it takes her back across the water to Kilmore Quay, where – finally – long-buried truths will come to light. But fate has one last twist in store.

I have spent my bank holiday sitting in the sun reading this book, blissfully unaware of the heartache that I would face reading the final pages.

The story is written through the narrative of two young women called Lucy and Bea. It’s the early 90’s and Lucy and her sister/best friend Michelle leave rural Ireland for the bright lights of New York on an Irish visas. It’s there that they join the Irish community and Lucy meets Ryan, who’s also Irish even though he had never visited the country. Him and his family are part of a huge Irish community and they welcome Lucy in with open arms and makes her feel part of something and reminds her of the home that she left behind. Now fast forward over 20 years later and Bea is an only child who misses that mother she barely remembers. Although her father, Ryan is able to tell to bits and pieces, it’s not the same.

One day, she receives a letter in the post and it’s from her primary school days that she wrote a time letter capsule to herself to be delivered in 2020 and when she realises that she needs to find out more about her family and her heritage.

This is a beautifully written story that literally broke my heart in two. Carmel has written a heartfelt story about family, heritage and friendships that spans over decades. The characters are a fantastic mix of personalities and I was gripped by Carmel’s writing with every page.

Her research and knowledge into the Irish community in New York is outstanding and is literally a go to guide for any Irish person visiting the city. The blend of characters and friendships made for such tender reading and I loved Bea’s friendship with Katrina, her outspoken best friend and Stephanie who has such faith in love.

As Bea delves into her family’s history, she makes new discoveries not only about her family but also about herself and this does genuinely tender reading in parts.

This is only the second book that I’ve read by Carmel but it’s certainly a story that has made an impact on me. Heartfelt, poignant and filled with Irish charm and magic, ‘The Moon Over Kilmore Quay’ is a story of home, family and love. But be warned, it’s a an emotional rollercoaster of a story!

You can buy ‘The Moon Over Kilmore Quay’ from Amazon and is available from good bookshops.