IRISH BOOKS

Cynthia Neale's Sequel ~ Hope in New York City

Cynthia Neal, American born daughter of an Irish father and an English mother, has just published her second novel, a sequel to The Irish Dresser.

HOPE in NEW YORK CITY

The Continuing Story of the Irish Dresser

This new novel picks up in New York City. Nora and her family are settled in an apartment. Life in America for this Irish imigrant is not at all what she had imagined it would be. We first encounter Nora, sneaking out of the house in the early hours of the morning dressed as a boy with her hair tucked up under a cap. We soon learn she has a job hawking newspapers and the "disguise" is to ensure she will get newspapers to sell. It's a tough business but Nora has a friend.

I can't tell you much more until I've finished reading it, but I can say that it is written in an easy to read style with an interesting story in its own right. The references back to life in Ireland compared to life in America help to put into perspective the famine from which the family has fled and what life was like for an immigrant in the mid-1800's in America.

Read more about The Irish Dresser and about Hope in New York City on the author' website. Read an article in the Portsmouth Herald [3/15/200/] about the author, her novels, and the Irish. Here's an excerpt, Cynthia speaking:

Some Irish were able to buy tickets out of the country. "They were going to be driven off the land because they were unable to pay rent when the crops failed. ...; The landlord would come with a constable and do what is known as tumbling, they'd burn the house to the ground. If another neighbor took them in they'd be burned too." But a larger percent were put on boats by the landlords who supplied passage. Sending them elsewhere was cheaper than paying the poor house rent, says Neale.

Irish Author John McGahern

John McGahern (1934-2006) was the author of five highly acclaimed novels and four collections of short stories. His novel Amongst Women won the GPA Book Award and the Irish Times Award, was short-listed for the Booker Prize, and was made into a four-part BBC television series.
[Excerpt from publisher Random House].

This short video is a tribute to John McGahern beautifully produced by film-maker Ronan Gallagher. See more of Ronan's film works at www.ironmountainmovies.com. The setting is Louch Rynn Castle in County Letrim shortly after the author's death at a dedication ceremony of the naming of the library in the newly opened Hotel. [Press the start button - right arrow - to play the video.

On November 9th 2006, almost seven months after the death of one of Ireland’s most celebrated writers, John McGahern, a large crowd of friends and neighbours gathered to celebrate the opening of a library named after him in the beautiful and elegant surroundings of The Lough Rynn Castle Hotel near his beloved Mohill in Co Leitrim. [Source: Greenbox: Ireland's Eco-Tourism Destination]

Other works by the same John McGahern are:

• All Will Be Well
• All Will Be Well - A Memoir
• By the Lake
• The Collected Stories
• Stoner

Amonst Women by John McGahern

There's a lenghty "book report" on this novel on Penguin Group (USA), which provides book club reading guides(complete with discussion questions. ~ ".A widower, Moran confuses his identity with the communal identity of his family in a gesture that divides and conquers."

The Liffey Rivers series of girl detective books by Brenna Briggs

Liffey Rivers is a thirteen-year-old competitive Irish dancer in London who finds herslf drawn in to mysteries that other pleople don't even notice. The books give the reader a sense of Irish history and culture but they also take you on exciting adventures and give you a glimpse into the world of competitive Irish setp dancing. The books get great reviews in Amazon and the readers are hoping for more to come.

Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the Winking Judge
Book Description (Amazon)
There is more intrigue in London than 13-year-old Irish dancer Liffey Rivers could have ever imagined! How will she tell the smug-looking security guard at the National Portrait Gallery that something is WRONG with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I hanging in the Tudor Gallery? And how can she even pretend she is ready to dance next week at an Irish dance competition in County Sligo, Ireland? And WHY is the Irish judge at the Prizewinner Jig Stage winking at everyone? Liffey has seen those eyes before.... (read more)

Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the Sparkling Solo Dress Crown

Book Description (Amazon)
There is more excitement at the Celtic Arch Feis in St. Louis than 13-year-old Irish dancer Liffey Rivers could have ever imagined. Within a 24-hour time period, she manages to foil a sophisticated criminal plot, dance her soft shoe jig and even prevent a possible war! Determined to win a 1st place medal at this feis and earn her very own solo dress, Liffey notices a suspicious looking man with a white stripe running down the back of his dark black hair (like a skunk) as she power walks around the hotel lobby. She has seen this man before, and he, like herself, always seems to be alone at Irish dance competitions. This time, however, she observes that he is carrying a shopping bag with a beautiful porcelain Irish dancer doll peeking out. The doll is wearing a dazzling diamond solo dress crown. But something is WRONG.... Liffey follows the "skunk man" on to a crowded elevator to get a better look at the doll, and in her pursuit for answers, she finds herself not only competing for the medal, but fighting for her own life. After a series of close calls and in a state of near collapse, Liffey Rivers unravels the mystery of the sparkling solo dress crown. (Amazon)

About the author: Brenna Briggs

Brenna Briggs grew up in South Bend, Indiana, (USA) and McKeesport, Pennsylvania (USA). She is currently working on the third Liffey Rivers book. Brenna now lives in County Sligo, Ireland, with her family, where she writes articles for magazines and the Liffey Rivers Irish Dancer-Girl Detective mystery book series. She is also working on a biography of Sydney Owenson, the author of The Wild Irish Girl, who later became Lady Morgan and the first woman in Ireland to receive an author's pension. [from the author's website]

The Sheep Breeders Dance by Áine Greaney

This is a small book of 4 short stories, each one of which you might well wish went on and on because you can so easily come to care about the characters, who you get to know well and want to know more.

Born and brought up on a small farm in County Mayo, Ireland, Áine (pronounced ‘Awnya') Greaney moved to the U.S. in 1986, and now resides in Newburyport. Her short stories and personal essays have been published in many Irish and U.S. literary journals and anthologies, including The Literary Review Natural Bridge, and
IMAGE Magazine. Other publications include her debut novel, The Big House and the gift/travel book, Newburyport: A Photographic Portrait.

The Big House, also by Áine Greaney, her first novel

Having left many years before to seek his fortune in London, John McHugh, now a wealthy property developer, returns to Co. Mayo to rediscover his Irish roots.

Against his better judgement, he falls in love with and buys the beautiful but derelict Rathloe House, with grand plans for modernization and development. But McHugh hasn't reckoned on the opposition of the local community who, regarding his progressive plans with suspicion, band together in a determined campaign to save the Big House. With the villagers ranged against him, McHugh has troubles enough.

But a chance encounter with high-tech headhunter Susan Brown ensures the sparks really begin to fly. Only one thing is certain, life in the sleepy, rural village of Rathloe is never going to be quite the same again.

Her second novel, "Dance Lessons," set in County Mayo and greater Boston, is currently seeking publication. She is also completing "Sins of Omission," a set of paired novellas set in Ireland and New York's Hudson Valley region.

Visit Áine's website.

The Irish Dresser by Cynthia Neale

Excerpt, page 44:

"God help us, Nora, we're all poor in Ireland," Kate says, trying to comfort me.

"But never did I see bones walking in coats," I answer.

"Let's be on our way before it gets too late," Kate says, and though we are weakened from not enough food, we run the rest of the way to the O'Connors' cottage.

Mrs. O'Connor cries out when she hears us knock on her door, "We've nothing in the kettle, and not even a kettle do we own now. Away from us, for we have nothing here to eat!" Mrs. O'Connor thinks that we are starving people traveling on the roads.

"It's Nora and Kate," I say.

The door opens and Kate and I are warmly invited in for a sup of tea. ...

It's been a while now sinceI finished reading this small novel about the Irish Famine called The Irish Dresser by Cynthia Neale but the story plays out in my mind still. It's not just because it's interesting to read about the famine or because it's Irish that I like it; it's because of the story that made that period in Irish history come alive.

The Irish Dresser is her first novel, and the
>sequel, Hope in New York City, will be available in mid 2007.

Cynthia is a local writer of Irish decent , who grew up in Watkins Glen, New York and now lives in New Hampshire with
>her husband and daughter. Cynthia is a set dancer, too, which is how I made my acquaintance with her.

With my curiosity peaked from reading her book, I rented the only movie I know of made about the famine, The Hanging Gale. Although I enjoyed the movie, it was dark, solemn, and hopeless, perhaps appropriate for a dark, solemn and hopeless time in Ireland's history, but Cynthia's treatment of the subject not only described the horrific conditions the Irish lived under but also kept hope alive, even if only by a bare thread. I think this book could be made into a teriffic movie and wouldn't be surprised if it happened..

Read an "e-pinion" from a reader and a short book review. Visit the author's website where she talks about her book and the sequel she is writing, soon to be released, a story of questioning where home is and learning that true belonging endures in the human spirit as well as in the love of family and friends. HOPE in NEW YORK CITY The Continuing Story of the Irish Dresser comes out in 2007. I'm looking forward to reading about Nora, the heroine in the book, who has made the journey like so many others from Ireland to America in hopes of a better life. I know, from what I know of history, that it won't be all that she expcted, but I'm not afraid to read it because there is HOPE in the title.

The White Swans of Fal
William and I wait for the old woman near the Ogham stones erected by the River Finn. We are not often allowed to communicate to the living, and almost never to those not of our flesh forms, but tonight is different. 'Tis All Hallows Eve. Samhainn. The night of the dead. The White Swans of Fal, by Jackie Ashton

Read an Excerpt from the book:
The White Swans of Fal by Jackie Ashton

Fionn hesitated. He watched as the flickering light cast evil shadows upon her face. Braced in fear, he shuffled toward her, until he stood eye to eye with the witch. the room filled with cool haze and a back draft of peat smoke.

She put her warm hands on his face and then smoothed them over the outline of his body while her lips moved, noiseless, in secret prayer, healing his wounds. Then, signaling the ritual over, she smiled, revealing her few blackened teeth, stepped into the circle and lifted the baby.

"Cáit, get the infusion I made earlier." She pointed to the mug on the table.

Cáit grabbed the teapot and poured the warm liquid into the cup.

"is he healed?" Sean's white-knuckled fists were clenched.

He must drink the infusion. That will help him to breathe better. As for the evil spirits, they are gone now. They wanted to take his soul to the other side."

About the Book

Jackie Ashton's book is interesting reading any time but seems somehow very appropriate for this time of year, when, it is said, the veil that separates our world from the spirit world is at its thinnest.

The book, The White Swans of Fal, takes place in the 16th century shortly after the Plantation movement began, and tells the story from both sides.

"Elizabeth Harrowsmith and William De Logos are forever bound by a force they do not fully understand. After their untimely deaths in the 15th century, they are reawakened in 17th century Ireland as Gillian, the daughter of English nobility, and Fionn, an Irish peasant. William and Elizabeth are now confronted with the impossible: reuniting their flesh beings and teaching them the meaning of life." Amazon's Editorial review.

"A wonderful Irish love story. Soul mates Elizabeth and WIlliam are reborn in 16th century Ireland and work to show their flesh-beings the meaning of life." Jackie Ashton

"16th Century Ireland
The Irish culture has, throughout the ages, been one of diversity and endurance. Before the English rule, Ireland was broken into five kindoms, each ruled by the king of the ruling clan. After the English invasion, the Irish world of clans and kingdoms were slowly wiped out. In the 16th Century, the Enlgish used the Plantation concept to settle parts of Ireland. They were most successful in the Ulster area, which is now Northern Ireland. Understanding Ireland's history allows us to comprehend what the 'troubles' are all about and provides a better understanding of how both the English and Irish came to call Ireland their home." Amazon.com

Adobe pdf file Excerpt (42 pages)

Macromedia Flash Paper (swf) file Excerpt (42 pages)

Printed here with permission of the author, Jackie Ashton.

About the Author

The author of The White Swans of Fal, Jackie Ashton Blakely, originally from East Liverpool, Ohio, currently lives in Canada. She is working on a Screenwriting Certificate from UCLA and also works full-time in Information Technology.

“My love for the Irish culture and a line of Irish heritage led me to write The White Swans of Fal. I spent a full year in research mode before really getting started writing the novel.

I struck up an online friendship with Shae Clancy, who proofed my work for historical accuracy and provided support over the five years it took to complete the novel.  Shae is a volunteer and researcher at the Hunt Museum in Limerick. Here's a link to one of Shae's articles published in Insight.

Jackie's web page: http://www.telusplanet.net/public/jashton/pageone.htm

Irish History as a Novel - Frank Delaney

Frank Delaney's IRELAND: A NOVEL
(Amazon review)

BBC reporter Delaney's fictionalized history of his native country, an Irish bestseller, "is a sprawling, riveting read, a book of stories melding into a novel wrapped up in an Irish history text." [Amazon.com's Editorial review by Publisher's Weekly]

NPR.org shares an excerpt from his novel and an interview with the author, Frank Delaney, who now lives in the United States.

In his interview, the author reads an excerpt from his novel, as well.

On his website you can read about Frank Delaney.

IRISH FILM

Irish Film has moved to it's own page: Irish Movies