Eamonn McGrath facts for kids

Eamonn McGrath (born June 14, 1929 – died May 5, 2008) was a famous Irish writer. He wrote many books, often inspired by his own life. His stories help us understand what life was like in Ireland during the mid-1900s.

Eamonn McGrath's Early Life

Eamonn McGrath grew up in a small farming area near Taghmon, County Wexford, Ireland. He was the third of four children. He went to school with the Augustinians at the Good Counsel School in New Ross. After that, he got a place at University College Galway. There, he studied English and Irish. He was a classmate of the poet Breandán Ó hEithir.

Overcoming Illness

Soon after finishing college, Eamonn became very sick with Tuberculosis. This was a serious lung disease, sometimes called "TB." He spent almost three years getting better in a special hospital called a sanitarium. This was in Brownswood, County Wexford. Luckily, he recovered completely. This was partly thanks to good health policies from Noel Browne, who was a government minister at the time.

Teaching Career and Family

Once he was well again, Eamonn started teaching. His first teaching job was in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. In 1959, he married Joan Fahey there. In 1963, he moved to another teaching job in Clonakilty, County Cork. He lived in Clonakilty for the rest of his life. He also helped with the Leaving Certificate exams for English. He even wrote some of the exam papers in the 1970s and 1980s.

His Final Years

Eamonn McGrath passed away in Clonakilty Hospital on May 5, 2008. He was 78 years old. He is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Clonakilty. His wife Joan and his mother are also buried there.

Eamonn McGrath's Books

Many of Eamonn McGrath's books were inspired by things that happened in his own life. Other writers like John McGahern and Patrick Kavanagh also influenced his work. Patrick Kavanagh was often seen in the pubs of Carrickmacross when McGrath taught there.

Honour Thy Father

His first and most well-known novel is called Honour Thy Father. In the United States, it was published as The Clay Grew Tall. This book is a coming-of-age story. It is set in rural Ireland in the 1950s. The story is about a boy named John Foley. John lives in the shadow of his loud father. He wants to study and go to college. But in his home, farming and becoming a priest are the only jobs that are truly respected. The book follows John as he grows up and goes to boarding school. It also shows how his relationship with his father changes as he becomes an adult. This novel was first published in 1970. It was later republished in 1990 after parts of it were read on RTÉ Radio.

The Charnel House

Eamonn McGrath's second novel is The Charnel House. This book describes life in a TB sanitarium in the 1950s. The main character is a young engineering student named Richard Cogley. He feels like there is little hope of leaving the sanitarium. The book is written beautifully. It is one of the few novels that looks at how society was affected by the "white plague" (Tuberculosis) in Ireland. A main idea in the book is how people sometimes don't care about the suffering of others.

The Mary Ennis Story

The novel also tells the story of Mary Ennis. She is a young girl whose parents are separated. She faces a very difficult relationship with her father. Her very religious mother does not seem to notice Mary's struggles. For her mother, keeping a good reputation in the community is more important than her family's needs. The book explores the complex and challenging relationship between Mary and her father. It shows how this relationship develops through misunderstandings and emotional difficulties, leading to a sad end.