Ed's daily news articles, weekly columns, books, and films focused on Irish politics and featured in depth analysis of politicians and the politics of Northern Ireland. Moloney made the 30 -year war against British rule in Northern Ireland – known as ‘The Troubles’ – his specialty. Ed was also a respected author. In 2002, he published a best-selling history of the Provisional IRA,  A Secret History of the IRA (W.W. Norton). The  Guardian book review in 2002 stated, “Moloney’s book is undoubtedly the best history of Ireland’s…  most enduring paramilitary movement ever to be written. It is a brave and mercilessly honest project that will stand the test of time.”

Ed co-wrote and co-produced two award-winning documentaries. A documentary titled Voices From the Grave, Two Men’s War in Ireland aired on Irish broadcaster RTÉ in 2010. In February 2011, the film won the best television documentary prize at the annual Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) in 2011. In 2018, Moloney collaborated on the award-winning documentary I, Dolours, which told the story of IRA volounteer and hunger striker Dolours Price.

Ed met and married his wife of nearly 50 years, Joan McKiernan, in Belfast. Their son, Ciarán was born and raised there. Ed was a survivor of Polio as a child – an experience that shaped his personality and world view. He remained an advocate for disability rights and of the National Health Service to which he owed his life.