Young Hardress Cregan is a collegian and a rogue, with a wicked, roving eye. Although he is courting his wealthy cousin Anne, he has also embarked on a passionate love affair with the lowly - but very beautiful - Eily O'Connor. Hardress knows that his family would never approve of this match and he should abandon his new fancy. But his lust overwhelms his conscience and he embarks on a fatal deception - secretly marrying Eily while succumbing to his mother's machinations and becoming engaged to Anne. How will Hardress extricate himself from this dilemma? Together with his hunchback half-brother, Danny Mann, he hatches a deadly conspiracy...

Originally published in 1829, and inspired by a celebrated criminal case, The Collegians was a sensation in its day. It made Killarney a tourist attraction, and its thrilling plot - involving love, rivalry, secrecy, and betrayal - inspired many imitations.

This romantic melodrama set in rural Killarney in the early 19th century was based on a real case of 1829. Its impressive Irish locations, thrilling characters, complex plot involving love, rivalry, secrecy, betrayal, and impressive denoument made it into one of the most successful thrillers of its day.

About the Author

Gerald Griffin was born in Limerick, Ireland, in1803. The son of a brewer, he went to London in 1823 and became a reporter for one of the daily papers, and later turned to writing fiction. In 1838 he burned all of his unpublished manuscripts and joined the Catholic religious order, Congregation of Christian Brothers, in Cork. He later died at their monastery. Gerald Griffin has a street named after him in Limerick City and Cork City, Ireland.

Robert Giddings is a literary critic and broadcaster who regularly writes for publications including the Tribune and the Dickensian. He is the author of A Student's Guide to Charles Dickens, and co-author with Keith Selby of The Classic Serial on Television and Radio.

Book Information
ISBN 9781843548553
Author Gerald Griffin
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Atlantic Books
Publisher Atlantic Books
Weight(grams) 392g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 29mm