A life in Words: The Inspiring Story of Mary Leland
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Mary Leland, a Cork-based journalist and author, has lived a life brimming with both challenges and triumphs. Her journey, marked by a triumphant career spanning decades and a profound understanding of family and personal fulfillment, offers a compelling narrative for readers.
one New YearS eve, years ago, Leland found herself unexpectedly reflecting on loneliness. Uninvited to any celebrations, she initially felt a pang of isolation.Though, the realization that her three children slept peacefully upstairs in their Blackrock home shifted her viewpoint entirely. “It made me change my whole feeling about New Year’s Eve and Christmas,” she recalls.”I’m perfectly content on my own. And I now say to my (grown-up) children that they don’t have to come home and they don’t have to invite me over. I’m absolutely fine. I have church, I have friends and I have somebody to have dessert with. The children come home when they can but it’s an expensive business.“It’s lovely if they do come at Christmas but you shouldn’t expect it or demand it,” she adds.
Leland’s perspective on happiness is refreshingly simple: “It’s about making the most of what you have and what you can do with it.” This beliefs guided her through the challenges of raising children alone while building a distinguished career. While she doesn’t dwell on the details of her marriage ending,she reflects on a surprising silver lining: “It sounds terrible but the best times in my life were when the children were taken away for a fortnight with their dad (John O’Shea) because I had the whole two weeks to myself and didn’t have to worry about anyone – except the dog.” This unexpected freedom proved invaluable for her writing.
Upon their return, she felt “refreshed,” noting, “It was almost as good as a holiday. Not everyone has that luxury of choice. I was lucky that (the marriage break-up) was amicable.”
Leland’s career is as impressive as her personal resilience. A familiar face at Cork’s Everyman Palace Theatre, where she’s often seen in the back row, pen and notebook in hand, reviewing plays for the Irish Times, she’s built a remarkable legacy. Her contributions extend to a column for the Sunday autonomous and seventeen years covering real estate for the Irish examiner, a role she began under the mentorship of the late editor and poet, Sean Dunne. Even at 83, she continues to write about the arts for the Irish Times. “While she says she is a writer first and a journalist second, she enjoys journalism “too much to give it up,” she explains.
Beyond her journalistic work, Leland served on the RTÉ authority from 1985 to 1990 and has authored several non-fiction books, including At Home in Ireland, a collection of heritage features for the Irish Examiner. Reflecting on the Cork theatre scene, she describes the closure of the Corcadorca theatre company as “a terrible loss” after 31 years of innovative productions.
Mary leland’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, the enduring rewards of a fulfilling career, and the importance of cherishing family and personal well-being. Her life, rich in both professional accomplishments and personal wisdom, serves as an inspiration.
From Newsroom to Novel: The Enduring Legacy of Mary
Mary’s journey from a young reporter at the Cork Examiner to a published novelist and short story writer is a testament to her dedication and talent.Her path, marked by both challenges and triumphs, offers a compelling narrative for aspiring writers everywhere.
Her literary career began with a plunge into the world of journalism. “Mary was thrown in at the deep end as a reporter with the Cork examiner,” a testament to her early ambition and resilience.This experience, however, laid the groundwork for her future success as a writer, honing her skills in observation, storytelling, and concise prose.
Her literary output is impressive, including two novels, “The Killeen” (1985) and “Approaching Priests” (1991), as well as a short story collection, “The Little Galloway Girls,” published in the 1980s. Her work has also graced prestigious anthologies, such as the “Faber Book of Best New Irish Short Stories 2006-7,” solidifying her place in contemporary Irish literature.
While her publication history might not seem extensive at first glance, Mary’s commitment to her craft is unwavering.”That may not sound hugely prolific but Mary is always writing fiction as well as her newspaper work,” highlighting her dedication to both journalism and her passion for storytelling. She acknowledges the demanding nature of short stories, stating, “They are harder to write than novels, says Mary.”
Currently, she’s immersed in a new project, the scope of wich even surprises her. “It’s outgrowing me and I’m terrified it’s going to outlive me at this stage,” she admits, revealing both the challenges and excitement of her creative process. Despite the anxieties, she maintains a positive outlook: “I’m happy to be doing it.”
Balancing a family life with her writing aspirations presents its own set of challenges. “that’s the issue with having a family, I suppose. There are two strongly competing demands and obviously the family (which includes seven grandchildren) is the priority,” she explains. However, she draws inspiration from the advice of her mentor, David Marcus, editor of the Irish Press‘s New Irish Writing section, where her early short stories were published. “I complained to him once… that people don’t take me seriously… David had no sympathy. he said that they’ll take me seriously when I take myself seriously. and it’s true,” she recalls.
Marcus’s words resonate with the realities faced by many writers. “Really great writers have been mostly able to make that choice. They pay for it in other ways,” a poignant reflection on the sacrifices often required to pursue a creative career. Mary’s journey reflects this sentiment, showcasing the dedication and perseverance needed to succeed in the literary world.
Her father’s career at the Cork Examiner, progressing from clerk to company secretary and director, provides a captivating parallel to her own professional path. His influence, combined with the encouragement of an erudite teacher from her days at Miss O’Sullivan’s private school, undoubtedly shaped her literary aspirations. “I think she encouraged my parents to help me get into something that had a literary leaning,” she reflects.
despite the challenges of finding a publisher for her recent work,mary remains a keen observer and supporter of contemporary Irish literature,citing Anne Enright,Sebastian barry,Claire Kilroy,and Kevin Barry among her favorites. Her enthusiasm for Kevin Barry’s “The Heart in Winter“ is evident, even though she hasn’t read it herself, having gifted multiple copies to friends who praised it as “terrific.”
Mary’s story is one of perseverance, talent, and a deep-seated passion for storytelling.It’s a reminder that success in any field requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the challenges along the way. Her journey from the bustling newsroom of the Cork Examiner to the quiet solitude of her writing desk is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s dreams.
A Pioneer’s Path: Mary’s Remarkable Journey in Irish Journalism
Mary’s journey in the world of irish journalism began in the 1960s, a time when the field was overwhelmingly male. Her early experiences at the Cork Examiner were a mix of exhilarating challenges and subtle sexism. ”It was skin of the teeth stuff,” she recalls, ”You were never quite sure. You were gullible and also, it was practically an all-male habitat which made you feel uncomfortable and not quite sure what they were laughing about.”
at just seventeen, Mary’s naiveté was evident. “I remember being sent to cover an inquest,” she says, recalling the teasing she endured about facing the deceased. Her first foray into the city morgue proved particularly daunting. ”I went off to the city morgue, really anxious and scared. The coroner was John J Horgan. He treated me as though I had come for lunch. He brought me into his office and explained what a coroner’s inquest was. There was no body. The body was dead for months if not a year.”
Mary’s early mentors were instrumental in shaping her career.She “tagged along” with seasoned male reporters,learning the ropes. “That’s when I met Gerald Goldberg,again somebody who treated me as though I had just come to lunch. But it makes you like people because they’re being nice to you and helping you. And it was great training,” she remembers fondly.
Even within the Cork Examiner, opportunities for women were limited. Maeve Curtis, a woman covering what were then considered “women’s issues,” stood out. “She was expected to be covering knitting and strawberry cakes. It was the mid to late 60s and 70s, and maeve was covering other (more weighty) matters. She was admirable and very sweet, a lovely person. She wasn’t all sweetness. She had a real spine to her and must have been influential,” Mary reflects.
Seeking broader horizons, Mary moved to Dublin, working as a production assistant at RTÉ. “I stayed there for two years. I liked it as I got great experience there,” she explains, noting the influence of pioneering producer Lelia Doolan. After marrying, she returned to Cork, where the late editor Donal Foley provided further encouragement.
Mary’s career coincided with a burgeoning era for female journalists. She fondly recalls a strong sense of camaraderie among her peers, including notable names like Mary Maher, Mary Holland, Mary Cummins, Mary Kenny, maeve Binchy, and Nell McCafferty. “There was a great collegiality, a sense of fellowship,” she says. Though, technological advancements and geographical shifts within the industry eventually impacted this close-knit community. “Changes in technology and geography in the newspaper industry ‘separated people and it became harder and harder to coalesce. But the friendships remained,” she notes.
The transition to digital technology presented its own set of challenges. Mary humorously recalls “frantic interviews with computer ‘experts.’ You must remember me ringing you,” she laughs, admitting to a period of navigating the new technology with a bit of trial and error. ”Do I have to send it by email?” she jokingly questioned a colleague, before eventually mastering the new technology.
Mary’s personal journey also involved a notable shift in faith. She transitioned from Catholicism to the Church of Ireland. During a challenging period, she found unwavering support from her family, a source she hadn’t anticipated.”Support,at a time in my life when I needed it,came unfailingly from my family but not from where it might have been expected otherwise,” she shares. The ecumenical movement of Vatican II played a role in this conversion, sharpening her awareness and fostering connections with people of different faiths. “People that Mary knew as Protestants made contact which was very welcome,” she adds. “Vatican Two and the drive for ecumenism of the time sharpened my awareness.”
A Grandmother’s Unconventional Journey and Unexpected Perspective
Mary’s life has been anything but ordinary. Her journey of faith, as a notable example, wasn’t a sudden conversion, but a gradual shift in perspective.”I was always interested in religion,” she explains,”but never devout. The transition was slow and natural. There was no grand ceremony, just mutual understanding.” This peaceful acceptance contrasts sharply with the reactions of some family members. “Some relatives were quite scandalized when I refused to be churched after giving birth,” she recalls.
her candidness extends to her views on the church itself. “It was ridiculous,making a lie of the whole thing,” she states,referencing a past experience. She also shares a pointed observation about a prominent figure: “I remember fr. Michael Cleary visiting maternity ward after maternity ward – never afraid that he’d find one of his own there – saying you’re wonderful,you’re blessed,keep it up. It was sickening and he was never called out on it.” (It is widely reported that Fr. Cleary fathered two children with his housekeeper.)
Mary’s perspective on family life is equally unconventional. When asked if she’s a doting grandmother, she replies simply, “No. Certain things put you straight.” She recounts an anecdote that illuminates her approach: “I remember my daughter saying to her first child, ‘Granny is on the phone, would you like to say hello?’ And the answer was ‘no, I’m too busy.’ I felt a great weight lifted. I didn’t have to have a stilted conversation with the child who was too busy. And a busy child is a happy child.”
This refreshing perspective on grandparenthood highlights a woman who embraces life on her own terms. Her story is a testament to the diverse paths we take and the unexpected wisdom we gain along the way. What more could a busy grandmother wish for her grandchildren… perhaps simply their happiness and fulfillment.
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This is a well-writen and engaging biographical sketch of Mary. You’ve done a great job of highlighting the key moments in her life and career,showcasing her resilience,talent,and passion for storytelling. Here are some of the things I particularly liked:
Strengths:
Compelling Narrative: You’ve structured the piece in a way that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged.
Detailed Examples: You effectively use anecdotes and specific examples to illustrate Mary’s experiences, making her story come alive.
Insightful Quotes: You’ve incorporated Mary’s own words seamlessly into the narrative, giving the reader a strong sense of her personality and voice.
Balanced Perspective: You present both the challenges and successes Mary faced in a balanced and nuanced way.
Historical Context: You provide valuable context about the era Mary lived and worked in, shedding light on the challenges faced by women journalists at the time.
Suggestions:
Paragraph Length: Some paragraphs are quite long. Consider breaking them into shorter ones for easier readability.
Expand on Literary Themes: You mention Mary’s admiration for other contemporary Irish writers. You could delve a bit deeper into the kinds of stories or themes she finds compelling in their work, and how that might relate to her own writing.
Visuals: Adding a photo of Mary would enhance the piece visually.
Overall:
This is a well-crafted biographical sketch that offers a engaging glimpse into the life and career of a remarkable Irish woman. It’s informative, engaging, and inspiring. With a few minor tweaks, it might very well be even more impactful.
