My Ireland
My Ireland presents a factual and descriptive account of Ireland in the 1950s from the perspective of the author looking back on her early life in the country of her birth. Margaret’s captivating and charming story renders a nostalgic picture of Ireland independent of the inequalities and poverty that existed there at that time. Her story concentrates, instead, on rural life with its wonderful sense of community meitheal (an Irish word that describes how neighbours came together to assist in a range of tasks such as the harvesting of crops). To a lesser extent, the author addresses the deep cultural divide of class and money as experienced in religion, education and professional opportunities. The book is structured chronologically, from Margaret’s childhood to adolescence and from leaving home for Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, and later to emigration. Beginning with family, the description of her father’s passing is written from a child’s viewpoint. This leads to a narrative on her mother, a unique and forthright woman for her day. The story increases in momentum as Margaret goes to work in Dublin. The newness and wonders of the city take her on an exploratory journey through theatres, shops and the banter of the street traders. Throughout the book are special moments in nature and traditional Irish song and verse.
My Ireland is a historical and cultural walk down memory lane.
Endorsements
“In this wonderfully readable book, Margaret Connor does an elegant job of capturing the essence of family life along with the customs, mores, and lifestyle of rural Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s. Hers is a life story rich in detail, history and ambition. Enjoyable and beautifully informative.”
Michael J. Dowling, author, president and CEO of Northwell Health
“Margaret Connor brings back vividly a time of joy and innocence that she experienced growing up in Ireland. A feel-good read. What we need today!”
Mary Pat Kelly, Irish American film maker and best-selling author
“This book is a charming story on rural life in post-war Ireland. Set in County Mayo, it offers the reader both a historical and a cultural overview of small-farm existence at that time. In particular, Margaret points out the strength of the community with friendly neighbors supporting each other. Though poor and limited then based on today’s perspective, money could not buy the riches of the tradition, culture and environment. We have much to learn from this simple lifestyle as documented by Margaret, covering the innocence, civility and stability of her youth.”
Niall O’Dowd, Irish American journalist and author, founder of the Irish
American Magazine and the Irish Voice Newspaper
“To quote L.P. Hartley ‘The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there’. The Ireland of the 2020s is a world apart from that of the 1950s and 60s. Margaret Connor’s elegantly crafted memoir, set out as a series of themed chapters, describes the reality of Ireland in the 1950s and 60s from the perspective of one who grew up there and can now look back from the vantage point of years of life and success in the United States. Never maudlin or sentimental, it is beautifully written in a style which is authentic and sympathetic, while not ignoring significant failings. It can be read chronologically or by themes such as village life, community, education, and religion among others. Either way it more than repays the effort; I strongly recommend it.”
James J. Browne, PhD, MRIA, president emeritus of the National
University of Ireland, Galway
“My Ireland is rich in detail and generous in its scope as it recreates and examines the lived experience of growing up in 1950s Ireland. Personal stories like these are always valuable to gather, and Margaret Connor has been meticulous and evocative as she gathers the stories of her younger life and of those who surrounded it.”
Belinda McKeon, Irish writer, award-winning novelist and associate winning novelist and associate professor at Maynooth University, Ireland
“A beautifully written, endearing and evocative memoir of family life and growing up on a farm in 1950s’ West Ireland, followed by a transition as a youth to the bustling lifestyle of Dublin City and America, and a return once again to her beloved Ireland by an author who gives a moving and touching portrayal of rural Ireland.”
John D. Feerick, Irish American author and professor of law at Fordham
University, U.S.A.
“In My Ireland Margaret Connor revisits her childhood on a farm in rural Mayo in the 1950s. This was an era of close family and community life, united in interdependency, strong in faith and morals. Life then was not easy but had its own rewards and prepared Margaret for the successful and generous life she has lived.”
Nollaig Mac Congáil, PhD, professor emeritus of Irish studies at the
National University of Ireland, Galway
Acknowledgements
