Maura Murphy facts for kids

Maura Murphy, whose birth name was Mary McNamee, was an Irish writer. She was born on September 6, 1928, and passed away on October 5, 2005. Maura Murphy became famous for her autobiography, Don't Wake Me at Doyles. This book was published in 2004 and became a big success, surprising many people.

Maura's Early Life

Mary McNamee was born in a place called Clonmore, which is close to Edenderry in County Offaly, Ireland. She was one of seven children in her family. Her parents were John McNamee and Mary Ann Hannon McNamee. Her father worked as a labourer. Maura left school when she was 14 years old.

Becoming a Writer

Maura Murphy worked in different jobs, including helping in people's homes. She also raised nine children. Throughout most of her life, she kept a diary. This diary helped her remember many important moments.

In 1999, when she was 70 years old, Maura started writing her autobiography. The book was called Don't Wake Me at Doyles. It shared her life story. The book also included parts from diaries kept by her adult children. These entries described their visits to her during a time when she was ill.

When Don't Wake Me at Doyles came out in 2004, it became a "surprise best-seller." This means it sold many copies unexpectedly. A magazine called Publishers Weekly praised the book. They said it had "skillful storytelling and optimistic spirit." They also compared it to Angela's Ashes, another famous autobiography by Frank McCourt.

Maura's Family Life

Mary McNamee married John Murphy in 1953. A few years later, in 1959, they moved to a city in England called Birmingham. John worked in a tire factory there. Maura and John had nine children together. Their children were born between 1953 and 1963.

Maura Murphy passed away in Birmingham in 2005. She was 76 years old. Her husband, John Murphy, was with her at that time.