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Irish Town
Ashton is a broken down town, in Powder Valley somewhere in the Rocky Mountains and is trying to survive gentrification from its wealthier neighbor Cherry Ridge. It's nearly conceding its territory, but their teenage leaders, Irish, Jester, along with Quartermates Benny, Curly, Twitch and Mars stand in the way. Ashton High is the pride of the town and has a cruel but glory-filled history of being past champions of The Powder Match, against the Cherries. The Cherries, led by Sonny Gatson, live a life opposite to the kids of Ashton High and he will do anything to keep it that way. Rose, a mysterious new resident, arrives with a plan to carry the Ashes to prominence that involves an Olympic level snowboarder, Christmas Daye.
210 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 19, 2020
I read this on a vacation and blew through it in 2 days. Solid book, very entertaining. Fast paced easy read, would recommend for the YA demographic.
January 5, 2022
I grew up in a very wealthy town. And, no, I was far from wealthy. In fact, my father was the caretaker for one of the immaculate estates and we lived in the ‘cottage’ at the back of the property so Dad could take care of this mansion… that had no heart. Why do I say that? Because half of the town was all about money, and they judged the other half of the town by how much or how little they had in the bank. There was a part of town called The Valley. In this area that some called the “other side of the tracks—which I found funny because there wasn’t a train anywhere near us—hard-working people scraped by, trying to pay their bills and get through life as well as they could. They had heart. The teens in this town had a difficult time because of this invisible line that was drawn between wealthy and poor. I saw some take to drugs or alcohol to deal with being put down by others who may have had a sports car to park in the high school parking lot, but never had a heart because they weren’t ever shown one. It may sound like such a simple “problem” but there were kids there who took their own lives because they believed they were not from the “right side” and, therefore, would never be a success.
When I read this book, although the scenery was different, the teens and their issues hit me right where I lived because I remembered seeing this, live and in person, when I was growing up. Think “West Side Story” (without the music), meets “The Hunger Games.” Add extra grit, and you have this book. Ashton is located in the Rocky Mountains in a place referred to as Powder Valley. Right next door rests the much wealthier and more polished, Cherry Ridge. Now, the Cherries are a group led by Sonny Gatson, who lives a high-brow life and certainly likes it. From Ashton we have teenagers that were not born into the ‘easy’ life; their group consists of leaders, Irish and Jester, and Benny, Curly, Twitch, and Mars, also known as “Quartermates.”
The interaction between these two groups is riveting, as the Cherries try to ‘take over’ the town of Ashton in order to transform them into what Cherry Ridge believes Ashton should be. As this transformation commences, with Ashton looking like it’s going to give up, these teens stand up and fight back. Ashton High, a school that is basically the pride and joy of the town, plays a huge role in this book because it’s the one thing the town loves; even though it has a background of pain, it’s also been the past winners of “The Powder Match” (an event I’d love to tell you about, but don’t want to ruin the read), where their competitors are, you got it… the Cherries. They haven’t won in a while, however, and they need to. The money they win from the event is what supports the town and keeps it running. The Ashes are already angry at the beginning of the book, believing they have no chance of ever winning the event again. What they don’t know yet is there’s a new “teammate” who has just moved to town, who plans to add her strong emotions and smarts to the fight. Her name is Rose, and her addition to this cast is one that inserts romance, action and, oddly, a snowboarder possessing the skills of an Olympian into the tale.
The deep intensity that this author writes with draws readers into a young man’s head as he opens the door to his world’ a world that includes loss and tragedy, friendships and anger for those all around him, and “calls out” to every YA who’s experiencing the same pain, confusion, social issues, bullying and hard choices teens face. The author shows how not to judge others upon looks, and why you shouldn’t. He delves into the pain, the ever-growing hormones of a teenage boy, and the strength and fight that can be found deep down inside – especially when you’re surrounded by people who will stick with you and do all they can to help.
I can’t say enough about this read. It’s real. It’s unique. It’s in-your-face. The action is super-cool. Mostly…it made me wish that a lot of people I knew way back when had been able to turn to this instead of alcohol to ease their own pain. They would’ve had a second chance. I give this as many “stars” as humanly possible.
When I read this book, although the scenery was different, the teens and their issues hit me right where I lived because I remembered seeing this, live and in person, when I was growing up. Think “West Side Story” (without the music), meets “The Hunger Games.” Add extra grit, and you have this book. Ashton is located in the Rocky Mountains in a place referred to as Powder Valley. Right next door rests the much wealthier and more polished, Cherry Ridge. Now, the Cherries are a group led by Sonny Gatson, who lives a high-brow life and certainly likes it. From Ashton we have teenagers that were not born into the ‘easy’ life; their group consists of leaders, Irish and Jester, and Benny, Curly, Twitch, and Mars, also known as “Quartermates.”
The interaction between these two groups is riveting, as the Cherries try to ‘take over’ the town of Ashton in order to transform them into what Cherry Ridge believes Ashton should be. As this transformation commences, with Ashton looking like it’s going to give up, these teens stand up and fight back. Ashton High, a school that is basically the pride and joy of the town, plays a huge role in this book because it’s the one thing the town loves; even though it has a background of pain, it’s also been the past winners of “The Powder Match” (an event I’d love to tell you about, but don’t want to ruin the read), where their competitors are, you got it… the Cherries. They haven’t won in a while, however, and they need to. The money they win from the event is what supports the town and keeps it running. The Ashes are already angry at the beginning of the book, believing they have no chance of ever winning the event again. What they don’t know yet is there’s a new “teammate” who has just moved to town, who plans to add her strong emotions and smarts to the fight. Her name is Rose, and her addition to this cast is one that inserts romance, action and, oddly, a snowboarder possessing the skills of an Olympian into the tale.
The deep intensity that this author writes with draws readers into a young man’s head as he opens the door to his world’ a world that includes loss and tragedy, friendships and anger for those all around him, and “calls out” to every YA who’s experiencing the same pain, confusion, social issues, bullying and hard choices teens face. The author shows how not to judge others upon looks, and why you shouldn’t. He delves into the pain, the ever-growing hormones of a teenage boy, and the strength and fight that can be found deep down inside – especially when you’re surrounded by people who will stick with you and do all they can to help.
I can’t say enough about this read. It’s real. It’s unique. It’s in-your-face. The action is super-cool. Mostly…it made me wish that a lot of people I knew way back when had been able to turn to this instead of alcohol to ease their own pain. They would’ve had a second chance. I give this as many “stars” as humanly possible.
February 21, 2021
I had the great pleasure of receiving a copy of “Irish Town” from its marvelous author Matthew John Meagher for my honest opinion. I have to say that this YA novel was beautifully written by Mr Meagher and evoked deep emotions based on its look into a society where social status/class differences prevail. He reached into history and our present day society to create this touching book.
We watch the story unfold via the various relationships in the town of Ashton where we first meet Irish and Jester who are the main characters and although not brothers they have that close brotherly bond that prevails throughout this book. We also learn that although they must attempt to behave like adults they are only teenagers. Irish is the one that the town looks to to bring about change and thus comes the name “Irish Town. This novel focuses on how these teenagers learn to navigate a hostile world. Violence, loss, love are predominate in this world that Mr. Meagher has created.
I appreciated the strong women portrayed in this book as well. Rose and Christmas are truly women fighting to help and survive in a scary and volatile world. They strive to overcome their adversities and champion for good. We also meet Vivian who is lost between the haves and have nots. She is looking to define herself and yet step away from her stereotype of being the “mean girl.” Somewhere in her is the girl who wants to be loved and part of any good that exists in this crazy world. Will these women succeed?
Can this town come together and prevail over social injustice? Well my lovelies it’s time for you to find out.
This for me is a definite 5/5 stars and a must read during the difficult times we all have faced at in history.
We watch the story unfold via the various relationships in the town of Ashton where we first meet Irish and Jester who are the main characters and although not brothers they have that close brotherly bond that prevails throughout this book. We also learn that although they must attempt to behave like adults they are only teenagers. Irish is the one that the town looks to to bring about change and thus comes the name “Irish Town. This novel focuses on how these teenagers learn to navigate a hostile world. Violence, loss, love are predominate in this world that Mr. Meagher has created.
I appreciated the strong women portrayed in this book as well. Rose and Christmas are truly women fighting to help and survive in a scary and volatile world. They strive to overcome their adversities and champion for good. We also meet Vivian who is lost between the haves and have nots. She is looking to define herself and yet step away from her stereotype of being the “mean girl.” Somewhere in her is the girl who wants to be loved and part of any good that exists in this crazy world. Will these women succeed?
Can this town come together and prevail over social injustice? Well my lovelies it’s time for you to find out.
This for me is a definite 5/5 stars and a must read during the difficult times we all have faced at in history.
May 10, 2022
Ashes vs Cherries
I will be honest, it took me a bit to get into this book. I struggled to understand what was going on but once I finally understood, I was amazed by the story. The family unit these kids have is unbelievable. Jester is telling the story and even though, they are all heroes, Irish is the one who deserves more credit. I really enjoyed the story and I love that there was some romance in the mix since I have a soft spot for a good romance. I definitely don’t want to give anything away so you have to read it to find out what happens.
On a side note, as someone who grew up in Massachusetts, I love that the Dropkick Murphy’s were mentioned because they are an awesome band.
I will be honest, it took me a bit to get into this book. I struggled to understand what was going on but once I finally understood, I was amazed by the story. The family unit these kids have is unbelievable. Jester is telling the story and even though, they are all heroes, Irish is the one who deserves more credit. I really enjoyed the story and I love that there was some romance in the mix since I have a soft spot for a good romance. I definitely don’t want to give anything away so you have to read it to find out what happens.
On a side note, as someone who grew up in Massachusetts, I love that the Dropkick Murphy’s were mentioned because they are an awesome band.
May 7, 2022
The battle has begun
Looking for something similar to The Outsiders where the Greasers vs. the Socs, well then Irish Town may be right up your alley. The Cherry Ridge (Cherries) kids vs. the Ashton High gang. The Cherries are hell-bent on taking down Ashton while Irish and Jester stand in opposition to these snotty holier-than-thou rich kids. The story follows the Ashton gang, and much like the Greasers these kids do not have the easiest life; from absent parents to rampant drug and alcohol abuse, they learn to depend on one another; all while trying to save their side of the proverbial tracks or in this case mountain. It all comes down to the powder match, and with an ace in the hole, they stand a pretty good chance of winning. With other notable characters like Rose, Twitch, and Christi (Christmas) Daye I found the book to be an enjoyable read.
Looking for something similar to The Outsiders where the Greasers vs. the Socs, well then Irish Town may be right up your alley. The Cherry Ridge (Cherries) kids vs. the Ashton High gang. The Cherries are hell-bent on taking down Ashton while Irish and Jester stand in opposition to these snotty holier-than-thou rich kids. The story follows the Ashton gang, and much like the Greasers these kids do not have the easiest life; from absent parents to rampant drug and alcohol abuse, they learn to depend on one another; all while trying to save their side of the proverbial tracks or in this case mountain. It all comes down to the powder match, and with an ace in the hole, they stand a pretty good chance of winning. With other notable characters like Rose, Twitch, and Christi (Christmas) Daye I found the book to be an enjoyable read.
June 24, 2022
I read this book so fast! Fell in love with the characters. The way the author tells the story really takes you back. I can see as a movie and the bits of romance just sucked me in! Highly recommend if you are looking for a read to escape for a bit!
May 22, 2021
Fasted paced book that touched on PTSD and also alcoholism. Easy, enjoyable and intriguing read and beautifully written. The ending is not what I was expecting (no spoilers)! Highly recommend. I cant wait to see what is next from Matthew!
November 29, 2020
This was an interesting read. It took me a while to get into the story, but Irish Town has some important messages. Although fiction, some of the issues the characters of the book are dealing with are very real. Fighting alcohol and drug addictions while trying to cope with the everyday challenges is not easy. Life certainly has a way of throwing us hard curve balls. It always makes me sad when I read about people using alcohol or drugs to cope with life, yet I think we all have ways of trying to escape reality when things get too hard. The author also mentions abuse and how vile and aggressive it can be. If you read between the lines, you can see that abuse can happen to anyone. You can be a tough, outgoing and strong person and still experience violent abuse at home. We never know what other people might be dealing with. It is important that we try to understand why someone is a certain way and not judge based on appearance and behavior. Another message I took from the book was the importance of sticking together and fighting for those around you. Family isn't just by blood, but mostly by love. Older teenagers and a YA audience (who enjoys reading about real life's issues and maybe struggling themselves), might find this book helpful and compelling.
November 16, 2020
Westside story meets the Hunger games on crack, or should I say on sweets. Meager gave a brilliant description of this insane world. While reading this, you might feel that the drug and alcohol use among the teens is a little far-fetched, but sadly it is pretty accurate to the real world. I haven't read any YA dystopian books in a while. To be honest, they were starting to bore me. Irish Town pulled me back in. This book has everything, including strong female characters. I can't wait to see what Meagher has to offer next.
December 13, 2020
💔💔💔
I was lucky enough to speak to the author and had seen snippets of this book before I managed to get it. The snippets I’d read in no way prepared me for this book...
At the beginning, I was dubious. I found some of the dialect between characters hard to get used to and the fantasy world Matthew had created was so like today’s society but also so very unusual... however. I AM SO GLAD I READ THIS BOOK!
I fell in love with Rose and Christmas. Despite not being the main characters, for me they were badass and fearless in the face of adversity. They influenced those around them so positively- we all need a Rose and Christmas in our lives.
The other two characters who resonated with me were Jester and Irish. Damn, those kids had it hard and life in Ashton had taken its toll. But they grew and changed and became better kids. And I ended up loving them too.
So that made the ending that Matthew had written all the more difficult to either predict or come to terms with! The ending is awful and heartbreaking and I so wasn’t expecting it...
I have a terrible book hanger and it’s all Matthew’s fault 💔💔💔
I was lucky enough to speak to the author and had seen snippets of this book before I managed to get it. The snippets I’d read in no way prepared me for this book...
At the beginning, I was dubious. I found some of the dialect between characters hard to get used to and the fantasy world Matthew had created was so like today’s society but also so very unusual... however. I AM SO GLAD I READ THIS BOOK!
I fell in love with Rose and Christmas. Despite not being the main characters, for me they were badass and fearless in the face of adversity. They influenced those around them so positively- we all need a Rose and Christmas in our lives.
The other two characters who resonated with me were Jester and Irish. Damn, those kids had it hard and life in Ashton had taken its toll. But they grew and changed and became better kids. And I ended up loving them too.
So that made the ending that Matthew had written all the more difficult to either predict or come to terms with! The ending is awful and heartbreaking and I so wasn’t expecting it...
I have a terrible book hanger and it’s all Matthew’s fault 💔💔💔
March 2, 2022
Ashton has lost the annual Powder Match for longer than they care for, and their town is suffering for it. This year is their final hope. Without the winnings, Ashton will crumble and fall, the people lacking water and selling the medicinal Sweets they manufacture to the Cherries in order to get by.
Jester and Irish are the ones everyone is counting on. With some help from the new girl, they may actually have a chance this year.
This dystopian fiction threw me off in the beginning because, other than the alcohol teenager main character, it seemed pretty normal. As soon as he got to school I was reminded that this novel is dystopian. I enjoy connecting dots and understanding symbolism, so although I was confused for a large portion of the beginning, this book was pretty fun. I was often reminded of The Hunger Games, which was great.
I enjoyed how Jester and Rose helped people overcome the status quo (it reminded of Stick to the Status Quo), and I was thrilled because I hate that society likes to tell people who they are and what box they fit into.
This was a fun book!
Jester and Irish are the ones everyone is counting on. With some help from the new girl, they may actually have a chance this year.
This dystopian fiction threw me off in the beginning because, other than the alcohol teenager main character, it seemed pretty normal. As soon as he got to school I was reminded that this novel is dystopian. I enjoy connecting dots and understanding symbolism, so although I was confused for a large portion of the beginning, this book was pretty fun. I was often reminded of The Hunger Games, which was great.
I enjoyed how Jester and Rose helped people overcome the status quo (it reminded of Stick to the Status Quo), and I was thrilled because I hate that society likes to tell people who they are and what box they fit into.
This was a fun book!
January 14, 2022
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
First book of the year and it was a great start!
@matthewjohnmeagherbooks dystopian fantasy “Irish Town” is a fantastic character driven tale told through the eyes of the town’s Number Two: Jester.
It’s a bleak not-too-distant future in snowy Colorado, where it’s the haves versus the have-nots, and the teenagers are in charge.
Meager excels in developing characters who are easy to love and hate, to sympathize and empathize with.
My only complaint is that I wanted more! More Powder Match, more Snow Brawl. This felt like Lord of the Flies meets Hunger Games.
Having lived in Colorado, I particularly enjoyed the scenery and names which harken to areas I know well.
I urge you to dive into the world of the Cherries and the Ashes. You won’t be disappointed!
First book of the year and it was a great start!
@matthewjohnmeagherbooks dystopian fantasy “Irish Town” is a fantastic character driven tale told through the eyes of the town’s Number Two: Jester.
It’s a bleak not-too-distant future in snowy Colorado, where it’s the haves versus the have-nots, and the teenagers are in charge.
Meager excels in developing characters who are easy to love and hate, to sympathize and empathize with.
My only complaint is that I wanted more! More Powder Match, more Snow Brawl. This felt like Lord of the Flies meets Hunger Games.
Having lived in Colorado, I particularly enjoyed the scenery and names which harken to areas I know well.
I urge you to dive into the world of the Cherries and the Ashes. You won’t be disappointed!
July 5, 2024
"Irish Town" by Matthew John Meagher is set in Ashton, a struggling town in Powder Valley, located in the Rocky Mountains. Facing gentrification from its wealthier neighbor Cherry Ridge, Ashton's teenage leaders—Irish, Jester, Benny, Curly, Twitch, and Mars—strive to protect their town. Ashton High, with a storied history in The Powder Match against the Cherries, is central to their pride. Sonny Gatson leads the Cherries, who live in stark contrast to Ashton's kids. The arrival of Rose, a new resident with a plan involving Olympic snowboarder Christmas Daye, brings hope for Ashton's resurgence.
November 26, 2020
Irish town was such an enjoyable read. The book was nothing like anything I have ever read before. The book was unique and well written. I really appreciated how the author touched on PTSD and alcoholism. The author describes the experience so profound it really makes you think about how some people live their lives and are extremely effected daily. The book kept me intrigued the entire time.the characters were all interesting and had the best names. Thank you for sharing your wonderful book!!!
February 20, 2026
Living in and around the Rockies my whole life I feel this book gives a fun and qwerky take on mountain life while providing a wild ride into the lives of highschoolers. From a Gaunlet, to a crazy competition you'll find yourself turning the pages faster and faster as you read on. Not just loving the book, ive lived many facets of it and can truly relate with the characters at times. Thank Matthew for a fun read to say the least!
April 7, 2021
This book will make you want to keep reading without putting it down. Fiction is such a powerful tool to explain reality in a creative way and the author does this in such an engaging manner. The topics in this book are real and the symbolism really changed my perspective. I highly recommend this read- great for 2021!
December 28, 2025
Loved this. Gives The Outsiders vibes! Well-written with dynamic characters.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews