Mike Carney was born on the Great Blasket Island in 1920 in that unique, isolated Irish-speaking community. Mike left in 1937 to seek a better future in Dublin and eventually settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, with other former islanders. The death on the island of his younger brother set off a chain of events that led to its evacuation, in which Mike played a pivotal role. This is the story of his life and his efforts to promote Irish culture in America, to preserve the memory of The Great Blasket, to respect roots left behind and to set down roots in a new land. Written as Mike approached the age of 93, this memoir is probably the last of a long line of books written by Blasket Islanders. * Similar to: An Irish Navvy - the Diary of an Exile and The Hard Road to Klondike

About the Author

Mike Carney (Micheal O Cearna) knew little English when he traveled to the mainland at 16 to work as a bar man in Dublin. He wrote an Irish language column for The Irish Press while in Dublin. In Springfield MA he worked as a store manager and as a security officer. He was president of the John Boyle O'Reilly Club for 16 years and helped to create the Blasket Island Centre (Dunquin). He was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in Celtic literature from the National University of Ireland Maynooth in 2009, honoring a lifelong devotion to preserving the language and culture of his native place. Gerald Hayes is married to Mike's daughter Maureen.

Reviews

"A treasure."

* Irish Echo *

"Heartfelt account in a simple, charming style."

* Irish Examiner *

"Spellbinding memoir."

* Irish Independent *

"Effervescent memoir."

* Sunday Business Post *



Book Information
ISBN 9781848891654
Author Michael Carney
Format Paperback
Page Count 220
Imprint The Collins Press
Publisher Gill
Weight(grams) 255g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 16mm