Galway Bay

When only a teenager, Honora Keely meets the love of her young life on the beach of her beloved Galway Bay, Ireland. Her Michael, also a teenager, marries her and only a few years later, while they have are in the midst of raising children, Ireland's "Great Hunger" occurs -- the devastating potato famine of the 1840s that killed millions. This is the story of a family's struggle to survive almost insurmountable odds. Honora is a fighter who, with the help of her sister, manages to save enough money for their two families to emigrate to America. In America, Honora forges a whole new life with its own joys and hardships, not the least of which is the Civil War. This gripping family saga beautifully renders an Ireland which was lost to those Irish forced to emigrate to foreign shores. Here at last is one Irish family's epic journey, capturing the tragedy and triumph of the Irish-American experience. In a rousing tale that echoes the myths and legends of Ireland herself, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family, inhabiting a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations. Selling both their catch--and their crops--to survive, these people subsist on the potato crop--their only staple food. But when blight destroys the potatoes three times in four years, a callous government and uncaring landlords turn a natural disaster into The Great Starvation that will kill one million. Honora and Michael vow their children will live. The family joins two million other Irish refugees in one of the greatest rescues in human history: the Irish Emigration to America. Danger and hardship await them there. Honora and her unconventional sister Maire watch their seven sons as they transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century", fight the Civil War, and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom. The Kelly clan is victorious. This heroic story sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's 44 million Irish Americans. In the author's colorful and eclectic life, she has written and directed award-winning documentaries on Irish subjects, as well as the dramatic feature Proud. She's been an associate producer on Good Morning America and Saturday Night Live, written books on Martin Scorsese, World War II, and Bosnia, and a novel based on her experiences as a former nun - Special Intentions. She is a frequent contributor to Irish America Magazine and has a PhD in English and Irish literature. In the bestselling tradition of Frank Delaney, Colleen McCullough, and Maeve Binchy comes a poignant historical family saga set against the Famine. In a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family. Because they and their countrymen must sell both their catch and their crops to pay exorbitant rents, potatoes have become their only staple food. But when blight destroys the potatoes three times in four years, a callous government and uncaring landlords turn a natural disaster into The Great Starvation that will kill one million. Honora and Michael vow their children will live. The family joins two million other Irish refugees—victims saving themselves—in the emigration from Ireland. Danger and hardship await them in America. Honora, her unconventional sister Mv°ire, and their seven sons help transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century." The boys go on to fight in the Civil War and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom. Spanning six generations and filled with joy, sadness, and heroism, Galway Bay sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's forty-four million Irish Americans—and is a universal story you will never forget. In The Bestselling Tradition Of Frank Delaney, Colleen Mccullough, And Maeve Binchy Comes A Poignant Historical Family Saga Set Against The Famine. In A Hidden Ireland Where Fishermen And Tenant Farmers Find Solace In Their Ancient Faith, Songs, Stories, And Communal Celebrations, Young Honora Keeley And Michael Kelly Wed And Start A Family. Because They And Their Countrymen Must Sell Both Their Catch And Their Crops To Pay Exorbitant Rents, Potatoes Have Become Their Only Staple Food. But When Blight Destroys The Potatoes Three Times In Four Years, A Callous Government And Uncaring Landlords Turn A Natural Disaster Into The Great Starvation That Will Kill One Million. Honora And Michael Vow Their Children Will Live. The Family Joins Two Million Other Irish Refugees--victims Saving Themselves--in The Emigration From Ireland. Danger And Hardship Await Them In America. Honora, Her Unconventional Sister Máire, And Their Seven Sons Help Transform Chicago From A Frontier Town To The City Of The Century. The Boys Go On To Fight In The Civil War And Enlist In The Cause Of Ireland's Freedom. Spanning Six Generations And Filled With Joy, Sadness, And Heroism, Galway Bay Sheds Brilliant Light On The Ancestors Of Today's Forty-four Million Irish Americans--and Is A Universal Story You Will Never Forget. "In the bestselling tradition of Frank Delaney, Colleen McCullough, and Maeve Binchy comes a poignant historical family saga set against Ireland's Great Starvation and the building of Chicago."--Provided by the publisher