This Irish author seems to have been a prolific writer of Irish fiction regarding social and political issues. This particular story is a fiction account of a true event and hits upon grievances and the manner the lower classes of Ireland set about attempting to regain control of their lands, lower rents, and avoid what were the payments called tithe, which went to the ministry of the Protestant Church.
Many Irish were transported as convicts to Australia, and this gives a bit of an insight into what caused a great deal of political upheavel and shows both sides of the story.