Kildare author publishes debut novel, 'The Heir'

Described by Naas, Co Kildare author Anne Kelly as a “romantic fictional and factual novel” dated in nineteenth century South Yorkshire, England and beyond, 'The Heir' is the debut long-form literary outing of the Eadestown resident.

'The Heir's' protagonist, Elizabeth Anderson is trapped in an arranged marriage to Sir Charles Anderson, a much older man. The marriage is doomed to failure as there is no love shown to either George, her baby, or to Elizabeth herself.

Elizabeth is less a wife than a mere convenience, and she fears for her life living under the same roof as Charles. She plans to escape and take her son, George, heir to her husband's vast estate, on an intriguing journey filled with lots of unexpected twists and turns.

The reader follows Elizabeth as she searches frantically for answers, and ultimately freedom, with the ever-menacing Charles looming in the background.

References are made in the novel to events as they were then, including the Irish Famine, lending a note of authenticity to the storyline.

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“It's getting nearer and nearer to the launch, so it's getting busy, but I'm really looking forward to it as well”, Anne says from her home in Eadestown this week.

“I'd say it took me roughly four-and-a-half to five years to write the book of tipping at it, bearing in mind I never took on a challenge like this before, of 36 chapters and roughly maybe 93,000 to 96,000 words.

“...So I've delivered it as best as I can, and I'm quietly confident. I'm in the golf club 40 years in May, I was Captain in Kilkee Castle, I've a lot of golf connections and a lot of connections generally.

“I do know that for the launch I'm sending invitations by app as well as by hand delivered, and verbally speaking to people. I'm hoping to go on the local radio with it and I'm hoping to do a launch in Kilkenny then, and another one in Sligo.”

Anne is a long-standing member of Naas Writers Group, and has published in their anthology book. She has also published in the book 'Castlecomer', which is widely circulated abroad and in her hometown of Kilkenny.

Pauline Clooney, author of 'Charlotte and Arthur' and head of Kildare Writers School, wrote: “In the world of historical fiction, Anne Kelly is a name to look out for.”

'The Heir', by Anne Kelly will be launched by novelist and lecturer of Creative Writing at Maynooth University, Dr Shauna Gilligan in Naas Library on October 16 2025 at 6.30pm, and will be available to buy in Barker and Jones, Naas.