This book takes us on an intimate journey along the rocky road of change during the first century of Irelands ‘Two State Solution’ imposed after the War of Independence. It explores how we might be able to enjoy a more fruitful and fulfilling experience for the next part of the journey. The evolving landscape is viewed through the eyes on one family who were more active participants than observers of Ireland’s ‘growing pains’ sharing in the pride and passion of our people, while having to face the cold harsh winds of change, always about us.
The author is a life long trade unionist and social activist and traditional musician whose family have long been involved in the struggle for workers rights and social justice who’s family divided three ways before the Civil War of 1922. Initially the story is seen through the eyes of Lily O’Neill, ‘Mother of all the Geraghtys’ who sold newspapers to support her family while her older brothers were either on strike, in jail or on the run. The story takes many interesting twists and turns in the following decades, across the generations, celebrating many successes and failures, sharing pride and passion while always retaining an essential ‘Is Féidiir Linn’ optimism about this country.
Poetry, music and song also feature strongly as part of a living tradition which always keeps pace with the heart beat of each generation. Many of the characters in this storyof Ireland never achieved any great fame or fortune. Or sought it, but contributed by their efforts to determine the essential nature of the country we now inhabit. The author hopes we have all learned from our successes and failures, can retain the best from of the past, embrace the posibilities of the future, while always refusing to be prisoners of our own chequered history.
