June 2005

Mary A. Moloney has lived all her life in Lisnagry Co. Limerick, approximately 3 miles from the beautiful village of Castleconnell. An only child from a farming background, she was always interested in other people's stories, history and English and from this came her love of writing.

For many years she pursued this love of writing while working on the family farm and caring for her parents. When they passed away she began working with the Limerick Civic Trust who encouraged her love of writing and from that encouragement came the decision to pursue a course of studies in the area of Journalism.

Having completed her course in Journalism and Radio Competences at HSI in Limerick, Mary starting writing in earnest and set out to have her work published.

Mary has a keen interested in local history and because of that she has researched and written many articles all of which were published in An Caisleán, a local parish journal. Mary has also had articles published on The Limerick Chronicle as well as the Limerick website http://www.limerick.com/

Now Mary has written a book on her native Ahane, an area famed far and wide on the hurling field but this book does not delve into the hurling prowess of Ahane's native sons, rather it is a collection of illustrated essays on the history and folklore of the area. As Joe Carroll, himself a well known local author states on the foreword … "Mary A. Moloney has researched and written down the story of Ahane - the real Ahane, its places of worship, its schools and its great houses. In this thorough and well written chronicle Mary tells us everything there is to know about the ancient and modern Ahane. Coming from a farming background she has first-hand knowledge of times that were hard and days that were good, when milking was done by hand and going to the Creamery, the fairs and the markets were all very much a part of life in a rural parish.

Throughout the book, Mary writes on such diverse topics as old place names, forts and fairy trees, the House Masses, the forges and the dance halls, the Ahane Fife and Drum Band, the Ferenka story and much more. Mary's compilation is a valued asset to students of local history and a book to be treasured by the people of her own place and indeed by the wider community".

The Small Ford is the literal translation of the word Ahane, giving the book its title. "Ahane does not feature on the Ordnance Survey Map but this little book will put Ahane on the map" said Mary.

The Small Ford - The Story of Ahane by Mary A. Moloney is available in Limerick bookshops, O'Mahonys, Eason's, The Celtic Bookshop and Bargain Bookstand in Arthur's Quay as well as the tourist office beside Arthur's Quay for just €10.00.

It is also available from the author for €12.00 or £10.00 Sterling including P&P by sending a cheque or postal order for that amount to

Mary A. Moloney, Clyduff, Lisnagry, Co. Limerick. Thank you for your support.