Maura Laverty facts for kids

Maura Laverty (born Maura Kelly; May 15, 1907 – July 26, 1966) was a talented Irish writer, journalist, and cook. She wrote many novels, short stories, and plays. She was also famous for her work on the Irish TV show, Tolka Row.

Life Story

Early Life and Family

Maura Kelly was born in Rathangan, County Kildare, Ireland, on May 15, 1907. She went to school at the Brigidine Convent in Tullow, County Carlow. She planned to become a teacher. But she changed her plans after her grandmother passed away.

In November 1924, Maura moved to Spain. She worked as a private teacher and later as a secretary. She also became a journalist reporting from Madrid. Maura later returned to Ireland. She worked in Dublin as a journalist and broadcaster for Radio Éireann.

After returning to Ireland, she married journalist James Laverty in 1928. They had three children: Maeve, James, and Barry. Barry Castle, her son, became an artist. He even illustrated some of his mother's books. Maura and James separated in 1960.

Working for Good Causes

Maura Laverty cared deeply about making things better for people. She worked hard for important causes. These included improving nutrition, getting rid of tuberculosis (a serious illness), and making sure everyone had good public housing.

In the late 1940s, she joined an Irish political party called Clann na Poblachta. She was active in the party for a short time. She even wrote the script for Ireland's first political campaign film. This film, called Our Country, was made for the 1948 elections.

Maura Laverty's Career

Journalism and Broadcasting

Maura Laverty was the editor for Woman's Life magazine in 1936. In 1963, she became Ireland's first "agony aunt" for Woman's Way. An agony aunt gives advice to people about their problems. She also wrote articles and short stories for newspapers. These were published in Ireland and other countries.

She had a long and varied career as a radio broadcaster. From 1955 until her death in 1966, she hosted a weekly radio show.

Cookbooks and Recipes

Maura Laverty wrote several cookbooks. Her first was Flour Economy in 1942. The government asked her to write it. This was to help people during World War II when flour was scarce.

She then published Kind Cooking in 1946. Her friend, artist Louis le Brocquy, drew pictures for it. In 1960, she released the very popular Full and Plenty. Both books included short stories about food. These stories were often about the countryside. They also had many practical recipes.

Novels and Children's Stories

Her first novel, Never No More, came out in 1942. It was set in County Kildare. The book was based on her own experiences. It became very popular in Ireland during World War II.

She then wrote Alone We Embark (1943). This book was called Touched by the Thorn in the United States. The famous writer Brendan Behan loved her first two novels. He even wrote to her from prison in 1944 to tell her how much he enjoyed them.

Some of her later novels were banned in Ireland. This included No More than Human (1944). This book was a follow-up to her first novel. It was banned because it talked honestly about women's lives. Her last novel, Lift Up Your Gates (1946), was called Liffey Lane in the US. This book was later turned into her first play.

Maura Laverty also wrote many stories for children. These included The Cottage in the Bog (1946) and The Green Orchard (1949).

Plays for the Stage

The founders of the Gate Theatre in Dublin, Hilton Edwards and Micheál Mac Liammóir, liked Maura's novel Lift Up Your Gates. Hilton Edwards suggested she turn it into a play. The play, Liffey Lane, was a big success in 1951.

Maura then wrote two more plays for the Gate Theatre. These were Tolka Row and A Tree in the Crescent. Tolka Row was the most successful. It was performed many times. It also helped the Gate Theatre stay open during the 1950s.

Television Work

Maura Laverty also wrote for television. She was the writer for Telefís Éireann's Tolka Row. This was the new TV station's first drama series. It ran from 1964 to 1968. It was based on her successful play, Tolka Row.

Maura Laverty's Legacy

Maura Laverty's writings and papers are kept safe at the National Library of Ireland.

A book about her life, The Maura Laverty Story, was written by Seamus Kelly in 2017.

A play based on her life also premiered in Dublin in 2019. It was called Maura Laverty–This Was Your Life.

Selected Works

Novels

• Never No More (1942)
• Alone We Embark (1943), issued in the United States as Touched by the Thorn
• No More than Human (1944)
• Lift Up Your Gates (1946), issued in the United States as Liffey Lane

Children's books

• Gold of Glanaree (1945)
• The Cottage in the Bog (1946)
• The Green Orchard (1949)
• The Queen of Aran’s Daughter Publisher: Poolbeg Press; New Ed edition (13 March 1997), ISBN: 1853717118, ISBN: 978-1853717116

Plays

• Liffey Lane (1951)
• Tolka Row (1951)
• A Tree in the Crescent (1952)

Miscellaneous

• Flour Economy (1941)
• Kind Cooking (1946);
• Maura Laverty’s Cookery Book (1948) A reprint of Kind Cooking, it was republished by Longman's UK.
• Feasting Galore - Recipes and Food Lore from Ireland (1952) - published in the US
• Full and Plenty (1960) - published by the Irish Flour Millers Association