Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?: A Memoir

Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?: A Memoir

  • Downloads:1894
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-05-18 17:21:41
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Séamas O'Reilly
  • ISBN:0316424250
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

A heart-warming and hilarious family memoir of growing up as one of eleven siblings raised by a single dad in Northern Ireland at the end of the Troubles。

After the untimely death of his mother, five-year old Seamas and his ten (TEN!) siblings were left to the care of their loving but understandably beleaguered father。 In this thoroughly delightful memoir, we follow Seamas and the rest of his rowdy clan as they learn to cook, clean, do the laundry, and struggle (often hilariously) to keep the household running smoothly and turn into adults in the absence of the woman who had held them together。 Along the way, we see Seamas through various adventures: There's the time the family's windows were blown out by an IRA bomb; the time a priest blessed their thirteen-seater caravan before they took off for a holiday on which they narrowly escaped death; the time Seamas worked as a guide in a leprechaun museum during the recession; and of course, the time he inadvertently found himself on ketamine while serving drinks to the President of Ireland。

Through it all, the lovable, ginger-haired Seamas regales us with his combination of wit, absurdity, and tenderness, creating a charming and unforgettable portrait of an oddly gigantic family's search for some semblance of normalcy。

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Reviews

Nikki

A sweet Irish memoir read by the author。 When Seamus O’Reilly was 5 years old, his mother passed away from cancer, leaving behind her husband and 11 children。 Not really understanding that his mother wouldn’t be back, this memoir follows Seamus in the aftermath of his mother’s death and the grief they all suffered in different ways。 This is not at all sad and is in fact very uplifting and seems to be a great big thank you to his father。, Joe。*Thanks to NetGalley & Hachette Audio for this audio e A sweet Irish memoir read by the author。 When Seamus O’Reilly was 5 years old, his mother passed away from cancer, leaving behind her husband and 11 children。 Not really understanding that his mother wouldn’t be back, this memoir follows Seamus in the aftermath of his mother’s death and the grief they all suffered in different ways。 This is not at all sad and is in fact very uplifting and seems to be a great big thank you to his father。, Joe。*Thanks to NetGalley & Hachette Audio for this audio e-version。* 。。。more

Jennifer

DNF - the book is fine, but its sadder than I was expecting and I’m just not up for it right now。 Might be good some other time。

Holly

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review。 Say Nothing is one of my favourite books of all time so I am constantly craving a new read on the troubles in Northern Ireland。 While there wasn’t too much discussion about the civil unrest this was still incredible。 The Troubles were essentially a backdrop of the setting of Dramas’ life。 The sheer prose was incredible and lasted in my mind long after the narrator stopped speaking。 Not only was it Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review。 Say Nothing is one of my favourite books of all time so I am constantly craving a new read on the troubles in Northern Ireland。 While there wasn’t too much discussion about the civil unrest this was still incredible。 The Troubles were essentially a backdrop of the setting of Dramas’ life。 The sheer prose was incredible and lasted in my mind long after the narrator stopped speaking。 Not only was it profoundly impactful but also funny at just the right times。 A terrific biography and something I will continue to recommend to many customers and friends alike 。。。more

Pgchuis

I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley。I have been reading and enjoying Seamas O'Reilly's Guardian (or maybe Observer) column over the last few years, and this is very much in the same vein。 Although the underlying and very moving theme is that of a child's bereavement, this is also very funny throughout。 It is also a love letter to his amazing father。The audiobook is read by the author and I might give a lower rating if I were rating just that (rather than the book I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley。I have been reading and enjoying Seamas O'Reilly's Guardian (or maybe Observer) column over the last few years, and this is very much in the same vein。 Although the underlying and very moving theme is that of a child's bereavement, this is also very funny throughout。 It is also a love letter to his amazing father。The audiobook is read by the author and I might give a lower rating if I were rating just that (rather than the book itself)。 I found it hard to hear what he was saying at times - not so much his accent as the speed of his delivery。 。。。more

TJ

Very funny and easy read relating to big family quirks。

Katy Wheatley

I already followed Seamas on Twitter because of his ketamine story, which made me weep with laughter。 This made me weep with laughter and just sometimes weep。 A glorious telling of a terrible bereavement, if that's even a thing that's possible。 This is full of love and seriously good family stories。 I don't know what else to say about it without gushing too much, but I loved it。 I already followed Seamas on Twitter because of his ketamine story, which made me weep with laughter。 This made me weep with laughter and just sometimes weep。 A glorious telling of a terrible bereavement, if that's even a thing that's possible。 This is full of love and seriously good family stories。 I don't know what else to say about it without gushing too much, but I loved it。 。。。more

Sarah Faichney

Brilliantly narrated by the author, 'Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?' is a beautiful exploration of losing a parent in childhood。 Séamas O'Reilly lays bare his experience with raw honesty。 The ensuing escapades of his father and ten siblings are laugh-out-loud funny。 What I especially love about this book is the gallows humour - something we Glaswegians share with the people of Northern Ireland。 As someone who lost her own mother at a young age, I found the book relatable, poignant and a great comfort。  Brilliantly narrated by the author, 'Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?' is a beautiful exploration of losing a parent in childhood。 Séamas O'Reilly lays bare his experience with raw honesty。 The ensuing escapades of his father and ten siblings are laugh-out-loud funny。 What I especially love about this book is the gallows humour - something we Glaswegians share with the people of Northern Ireland。 As someone who lost her own mother at a young age, I found the book relatable, poignant and a great comfort。  。。。more

Cindy :: leavemetomybooks ::

Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? is a charming memoir by Séamas O'Reilly that combines hilarious stories about being one of ELEVEN children raised by a single dad in Ireland, during The Troubles, with O'Reilly's self-reflective grief about losing his mom when he was too young to really remember her。 The very first line (which I read to my 13 & 10 year old after they heard me cackling about it and resulted in them now referring to me as MAMMY 98% of the time) is so sad and funny and perfect: "One thing th Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? is a charming memoir by Séamas O'Reilly that combines hilarious stories about being one of ELEVEN children raised by a single dad in Ireland, during The Troubles, with O'Reilly's self-reflective grief about losing his mom when he was too young to really remember her。 The very first line (which I read to my 13 & 10 year old after they heard me cackling about it and resulted in them now referring to me as MAMMY 98% of the time) is so sad and funny and perfect: "One thing they don't tell you about mammies dying is that when they die you get new trousers。" O'Reilly walks a fine line between humor and pathos and does it wonderfully, while also paying a really lovely tribute to his dad who survived raising eleven children (with SIX of his daughters being teenagers at the same time)。"To be one of eleven was singularly, fizzily demented。 At best, you were the child of sex maniacs; at worst, the creepy scions of some bearded recluse amassing weapons in the hills。 It didn't help that we were so close in age and travelled, often singing, in the kind of large, vaguely municipal transport vehicle usually reserved for separatist church groups and volleyball teams made up of young offenders。"I loved this book。* thank you to Little, Brown and Company for the NetGalley review copy。 Quotes were taken from an uncorrected proof and may change prior to publication (though I hope they don't because they are perfect)。 Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? publishes June 7th。 。。。more

Seán Ó Catháin

Heartfelt and hilarious; tender and sweet moments along with belly laughs throughout。

Laura

I've got to pull myself together after reading the beautiful acknowledgments enough to write this。。。 I absolutely loved this memoir- heartfelt, funny, full of gratitude and sorrow。 I listened on audio and the author's voice is quite soft spoken, so you have to lean in to really hear his lilting voice, but I really appreciated it in this format evenso。 The story follows his father and 10 siblings in the months and years after their wife and mother dies at age 42。 It shows so much love and gentle I've got to pull myself together after reading the beautiful acknowledgments enough to write this。。。 I absolutely loved this memoir- heartfelt, funny, full of gratitude and sorrow。 I listened on audio and the author's voice is quite soft spoken, so you have to lean in to really hear his lilting voice, but I really appreciated it in this format evenso。 The story follows his father and 10 siblings in the months and years after their wife and mother dies at age 42。 It shows so much love and gentle ribbing of the father, surrounding events in Northern Ireland in the 90s, and processing of grief through different stages in life that I think many people will really enjoy it。 As a diehard Derry Girls fan, an added bonus was getting a glimpse into an actual Derry childhood during the era。 Definitely recommend。 。。。more

Jessica

This is a really special book, quite funny and touching。 The audio didn’t quite land for me, wish I had read the print。

Natasja

A very beautiful tribute。 Funny and self-deprecating, deeply sad and honest。

Jenny Barron

A touching book with graphic insights into life as one of 11 children, huge respect for Joe their widowed father。 Moving insights into life in Northern Ireland echoed in the recently viewed Belfast film and wonderful documentary Young Plato。 How deep the troubles run。

Sara

I enjoyed this memoir in the audio version as read by the author。 It pulled at my heartstrings as he presented a clear picture of life during the Troubles, but was chock-full of dry humor that periodically made me laugh out loud。 The author's accent, while lovely to listen to, combined with the breakneck pace of his speech made it hard to follow at times。 I will probably have to take a second read of the hard copy because I feel like I missed a few of the details。 I enjoyed this memoir in the audio version as read by the author。 It pulled at my heartstrings as he presented a clear picture of life during the Troubles, but was chock-full of dry humor that periodically made me laugh out loud。 The author's accent, while lovely to listen to, combined with the breakneck pace of his speech made it hard to follow at times。 I will probably have to take a second read of the hard copy because I feel like I missed a few of the details。 。。。more

Sarah

This touching and humorous memoir is a keeper! The author narrated the audiobook and his witty personality (and Irish brogue) was evident throughout。 This memoir focuses on O'Reilly's childhood in Northern Ireland in the 80's and 90's and focuses on the author and his 10 siblings, who were raised by their father following the death of their mother。 The subject matter could have been quite sad, but O'Reilly's storytelling makes this unconventional family's stories relatable and funny。 Thanks to N This touching and humorous memoir is a keeper! The author narrated the audiobook and his witty personality (and Irish brogue) was evident throughout。 This memoir focuses on O'Reilly's childhood in Northern Ireland in the 80's and 90's and focuses on the author and his 10 siblings, who were raised by their father following the death of their mother。 The subject matter could have been quite sad, but O'Reilly's storytelling makes this unconventional family's stories relatable and funny。 Thanks to NetGalley for offering me this ARC in return for an honest review。 。。。more

B。

3。5 starsListened to the audiobook。

Lindsay Nixon

I need to stop trying to read books about grief。 They're not for me。Thanks Net Galley for my ARC。 I need to stop trying to read books about grief。 They're not for me。Thanks Net Galley for my ARC。 。。。more

Jordan

First off, I listened to the audiobook, which is definitely worth it to hear the author's great Derry accent and smooth, droll delivery of his stories。Secondly, each chapter reminded me of a guest appearance on The Moth, or TenX9, where it's just a person sharing a story about their life, but it's so well crafted and delivered that it ends up being especially insightful, , humorous, profound and meaningful。 Thirdly, I wish *I* had the skill of discussing sobering topics in such a funny way, with First off, I listened to the audiobook, which is definitely worth it to hear the author's great Derry accent and smooth, droll delivery of his stories。Secondly, each chapter reminded me of a guest appearance on The Moth, or TenX9, where it's just a person sharing a story about their life, but it's so well crafted and delivered that it ends up being especially insightful, , humorous, profound and meaningful。 Thirdly, I wish *I* had the skill of discussing sobering topics in such a funny way, without denigrating them。 I laughed all throughout this book, but somehow felt included in the joke instead of as if I were laughing AT them。 And fourthly, my life and childhood were very, very different from the author's, but O'Reilly told his stories in such a relatable way, that suddenly it seemed like we had more in common than we didn't。 And that's quite a skill as well。 I benefited from reading these stories and will definitely recommend this book to others。**I received an advance copy to review。 These are my own opinions and I leave them voluntarily。 。。。more

Sarah Carter

This was such a fabulous audiobook!! It tugged at my heartstrings and had me laughing so hard I can skip my next ab day at the gym 😂 The author’s deadpan delivery is perfection。 In this memoir, Séamas O’Reilly shares about the loss of his mother at the age of five years old。 He describes the events following his mother’s death through his eyes as a young boy and the effects it had on his large family。 He is the ninth of ELEVEN children; from an Irish Catholic family who was raised in Northern Ir This was such a fabulous audiobook!! It tugged at my heartstrings and had me laughing so hard I can skip my next ab day at the gym 😂 The author’s deadpan delivery is perfection。 In this memoir, Séamas O’Reilly shares about the loss of his mother at the age of five years old。 He describes the events following his mother’s death through his eyes as a young boy and the effects it had on his large family。 He is the ninth of ELEVEN children; from an Irish Catholic family who was raised in Northern Ireland during the latter years of The Troubles。 Left to care for the O’Reilly clan on his own, Séamas’ father carries on with grace, love, and strength。 The love Séamas and his siblings have for their father is beautifully conveyed as he shares story after story about the family and the man who so lovingly raised them。 。。。more

Kim

DNF at 50%。 Nothing wrong with this and I like the author, but just not funny like the synopsis led me to believe。

ericas。library

Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? By Séamas O'Reilly。This book has been in my handbag for every train and bus journey recently which explains the marks all over its white cover。Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? Is an honest memoir about growing up as one of eleven children to a single dad in Derry at the end of The Troubles。Honestly, this book is really a love letter to the small community Séamas grew up in outside of Derry City, and to his father who raised him and his ten siblings by himself after the author's mo Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? By Séamas O'Reilly。This book has been in my handbag for every train and bus journey recently which explains the marks all over its white cover。Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? Is an honest memoir about growing up as one of eleven children to a single dad in Derry at the end of The Troubles。Honestly, this book is really a love letter to the small community Séamas grew up in outside of Derry City, and to his father who raised him and his ten siblings by himself after the author's mother died when he was just five years old。I found this book sad, funny, and relatable。 You'll be troubled to get a book that feels more Irish, and it made me feel right at home。 I did find it a bit rambling in the middle of the book, like some anecdotes were included for word count, but I think that can come with a memoir as they are so personal to the author's own thoughts and experiences。The first and last chapter of this book were my favorites, particularly the first which sets the tone of the book up so well。Congrats to the author on such a heart-warming debut! 💚 。。。more

Rita Egan

Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? by Seamus O'ReillyMy paternal grandfather's family hailed from rural Derry and I have always felt a very strong connection to the area and the people so I was immediately interested in this memoir。 Coming from a family who's mother died at an early age, leaving a squad of children in the care of a father who was busy trying to build a career and was hopelessly underqualified as a carer or domestician, I can relate so well to everything the author has to say。I really appre Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? by Seamus O'ReillyMy paternal grandfather's family hailed from rural Derry and I have always felt a very strong connection to the area and the people so I was immediately interested in this memoir。 Coming from a family who's mother died at an early age, leaving a squad of children in the care of a father who was busy trying to build a career and was hopelessly underqualified as a carer or domestician, I can relate so well to everything the author has to say。I really appreciate the writing style of Seamus O'Reilly。 I recognise his language, so typical of his nationality, speaking as he does in metaphors and similes, longwinded and tangential, full of irreverent humour。The book opens at his mother's funeral where he, born ninth of eleven children, age 5, is confused about the emotions of family and friends, understands this is a very sad occasion, but is wondering when his Mam will be home。 You just want to cry and smile at the same time。He returns to school to find that he has been awarded a new status of someone the other kids need to handle with care, and the benefits start to mount up。The larger than average Irish Catholic family gets close attention as he recounts all the features that anyone who ever knew one of these families can relate to, the minibus, the headcounts, the several generations within the same sibling group。His memories of his father are especially touching。 The man he describes sounds like every Irish father ever。 The shed, the videos, the gadgetry! The mild mannered bullheadedness。 I would say that the opening chapters are very strong but it falls off slightly in the middle。 The ending is abrupt, but apt。 I would be happy to recommend this memoir to anyone who can laugh at a funeral, or loves to immerse themselves in nostalgia。Thank you to #NetGalley and #HachetteAudio for my first ever galley。 #DidYeHearMammyDiedAudio 。。。more

Marty Carey

The author had the audacity to write a memoir even though he's less than halfway (presumably) through his lifetime。 He is one of 11 children from Derry whose mother died of cancer when he was quite young。 It is by turns tragic and hilarious, with some lovely turns of phrase and some laugh-out-loud moments。 It reminded me a bit of Frank McCourt, though not quite as skillful or heartfelt。 Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the read。 The author had the audacity to write a memoir even though he's less than halfway (presumably) through his lifetime。 He is one of 11 children from Derry whose mother died of cancer when he was quite young。 It is by turns tragic and hilarious, with some lovely turns of phrase and some laugh-out-loud moments。 It reminded me a bit of Frank McCourt, though not quite as skillful or heartfelt。 Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the read。 。。。more

Dara (Dara Reads OK)

More like 3。5。 This was great writing and some of the essays were 5 stars for me, I just didn’t connect to the entire book。 Enjoyable。

Georgina

Absolutely brilliant。 I found it funny, incredibly moving, absurd and extremely touching。 Séamus has a wonderful turn of phrase which makes the relatively mundane fascinating。 I loved the way the 'Troubles' were a backdrop to the story and just presented as a normal part of his childhood。 As for his Dad, what a hero。 An ordinary man doing everything he can to look out for his children especially after they lose their Mammy。 The love he has for his family and the love Séamus has for him is so bea Absolutely brilliant。 I found it funny, incredibly moving, absurd and extremely touching。 Séamus has a wonderful turn of phrase which makes the relatively mundane fascinating。 I loved the way the 'Troubles' were a backdrop to the story and just presented as a normal part of his childhood。 As for his Dad, what a hero。 An ordinary man doing everything he can to look out for his children especially after they lose their Mammy。 The love he has for his family and the love Séamus has for him is so beautiful and so genuine。 And Séamus does a super job of bringing his Mammy into the narrative in a very real way which is amazing when you consider he was only 5 when she died。I loved this book。 It is a simple story of a family told in a way that moved me to tears and had me laughing out loud。 I would highly recommend it。 And finally I loved the acknowledgements section which is beautifully written and very moving。 。。。more

Clare Milliman

Audiobook!! beautifully written and narrated。 I definitely need the hard copy of it because i will read it again and again and again。

Heather

Sweet nostalgic book about growing up in a big Irish family

Elise F

I laughed。 I cried。 I thought about death and what it means to grieve。 Listened to this on audio, and highly recommend。

Shelby

I've been looking forward to this book for a while and was so excited when libro。fm offered it this month as an Advanced Listening Copy。 I was also excited to see that the author himself narrated the audiobook。Sometimes an audiobook narrator's voice is perfect, but their pitch does not translate well to listeners。 Maybe their voice is too high, or their "S"es are too sharp。 In this case, O'Reilly's vocal pitch was too low, and it was hard to hear his writing even with the volume turned up, espec I've been looking forward to this book for a while and was so excited when libro。fm offered it this month as an Advanced Listening Copy。 I was also excited to see that the author himself narrated the audiobook。Sometimes an audiobook narrator's voice is perfect, but their pitch does not translate well to listeners。 Maybe their voice is too high, or their "S"es are too sharp。 In this case, O'Reilly's vocal pitch was too low, and it was hard to hear his writing even with the volume turned up, especially while listening in a car。 I will probably reread this memoir in print and give it the five stars it deserves。 The parts I did hear were tender, humorous, and in complete adoration of his widowered dad。 。。。more

Sofia Tzima

This book made me cry and laugh and reminded me of all the things I love about the Irish culture (as a foreigner living in Ireland)。 Its wit, humour, the ways of grieving, and the complexities of growing up in Northern Ireland while in conflict are so nicely depicted in this well-written memoir。 A fascinating family of 11 kids, a mother gone too young, a hero father and a young boy going through life trying to process and justify his feelings while all sorts of crazy stories happen。 It made me f This book made me cry and laugh and reminded me of all the things I love about the Irish culture (as a foreigner living in Ireland)。 Its wit, humour, the ways of grieving, and the complexities of growing up in Northern Ireland while in conflict are so nicely depicted in this well-written memoir。 A fascinating family of 11 kids, a mother gone too young, a hero father and a young boy going through life trying to process and justify his feelings while all sorts of crazy stories happen。 It made me feel that the author had a rich life despite his significant loss at such a young age。 All in all, a beautiful narrative; I understand why it won the "biography of the year" in the AnPost awards。 。。。more