My Ireland

by Margaret Connor, Dr Niall MacGiolla Bhui (Editor), Martin Beckett (Illustrator)

My Ireland presents a factual and descriptive account of Ireland in the 1950s from the perspective of the author looking back on her early life in the country of her birth. Margaret’s captivating and charming story renders a nostalgic picture of Ireland independent of the inequalities and poverty that existed there at that time. Her story concentrates, instead, on rural life with its wonderful sense of community meitheal (an Irish word that describes how neighbours came together to assist in a range of tasks such as the harvesting of crops). To a lesser extent, the author addresses the deep cultural divide of class and money as experienced in religion, education and professional opportunities. The book is structured chronologically, from Margaret’s childhood to adolescence and from leaving home for Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, and later to emigration. Beginning with family, the description of her father’s passing is written from a child’s viewpoint. This leads to a narrative on her mother, a unique and forthright woman for her day. The story increases in momentum as Margaret goes to work in Dublin. The newness and wonders of the city take her on an exploratory journey through theatres, shops and the banter of the street traders. Throughout the book are special moments in nature and traditional Irish song and verse.

My Ireland is a historical and cultural walk down memory lane.

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2022

Reviews

[Hari D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Connor’s autobiography is a well-written and detailed autobiography beginning from her early childhood and youth in an Irish village outside the town of Ballina and ending when she leaves for work in Dublin. Ballina, situated in a picturesque area on the river Moy, is a major town in the County of Mayo. It is also where Ireland’s first female president, Mary Robinson, and President Biden’s ancestors came from. The book is a detailed description of life growing up in the 1950’s and 60’s when life in the Irish countryside was simple and idealistic in the way the poets have described it.

During those times, family and neighbors were of paramount importance, as well as maintaining reputation and conviviality, and nurturing interpersonal relationships. While there must have been frictions and problems, the focus is on the value of community and social harmony that everyone strived to preserve. There are wonderful details of life in those times; book is sprinkled with anecdotes described with the author’s characteristic understated humor. She describes her dogs, bicycling everywhere with friends, her first job as a shop girl where she encountered an actual bull in a china shop, the dating scene, and finally, getting to Dublin with its cosmopolitan culture that subsequently prepared her for moving to America. The text is illustrated with photos of the people she describes and with charming little drawings.

Connor has an unerring eye for detail; anyone interested in an accurate historical perspective of what Irish life was like in that period would derive value from this book. It is an entertaining read; one feels assured that one gets an authentic and first-hand description of local life and activities of the region during those times. Highly recommended.

[Willie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Ireland" recalls the author's early life in an Ireland very different from today’s mature or maturing emerald tiger, from her birth only a few years before the premature death of her father and life in rural Ballina to her foray as a young woman into Dublin. I, like many residents of the USA, have some Irish ancestry and think I have retained some Irish values (e.g., Catholicism) and some of the memorable expressions (e.g., “the gift of the gab”) passed along from my maternal grandmother, but despite living elsewhere in Europe for more than a year, have never set foot in Ireland. While I hope to visit Ireland within the next few years, this book captured the broad characteristics of Ireland in the 1940s and 1950s as well as details of the author’s early life. You will meet the author’s family, the dogs and other farm animals, and some of the neighbors, learn of the local economy including a shopkeeper or three, the social customs (churning butter and the teen dances), and even the infrastructure or amenities or their lack (e.g., schoolchildren bringing sod which served as fuel to heat the school).

I learned a lot about Ireland of the 1940s and 1950s. Should we anticipate from this author who has lived in the USA for decades now a "My America?"

[Bruce Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful read about rural life in Ireland in the mid-20th century. Margaret Connor portrays the strong sense of community, the value and virtue of faith, and the importance of family in imparting confidence. She demonstrates the impact of a strong community on eliminating crime. Technology's absence led to creativity in play, enterprise in building play objects, and much outdoor exercise and activity. The children helped significantly on the farm at a young age building a strong future work ethic.

The book contains solutions to many of the current Western societal concerns. Food was locally organically grown and sourced. Farmers marketed their own produce. Automobiles were few, so most people walked and rode bicycles resulting in a clean, safe environment with good physical and personal emotional health. Family and neighbors joined together to help each other. Marriage was frequently local with strong family support.

Approaching this book to provide a future template for revamped societies will allow the reader to explore the depths of wisdom this simple and warm lifestyle portrays. Well done, Ms. Connor.

[Peter Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I was born in this wonderful village of Caltra in the 1950's and left it to travel the world 20+ years later, never returning to live in it. I only had my faded memories of that childhood to depend on, until I purchased and read this book.. In it, Margaret has captured an Ireland that has disappeared forever and made me realise how fortunate we were to be brought up there in that era. Her vivid descriptions of home life, school, neighbours, social life and growing up there are so sharp and so well evoked, I had a constant smile on my face for page after page, bringing me right back to my own life there. Her account of moving to Dublin to work and live there are similarly very evocative and describe wonderfully life in Dublin in a gentler and more refined time. I recommend it highly.

[Steven White · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Ireland" transported me to mid-twentieth-century rural Irish life. We meet Margaret as a four-year-old, confronting the death of her father. We see her grow up in a household of modest means with many siblings, always guided by her mother--Mam. We learn about farming life and about the social fabric of the community. The profound influence of religion is also elucidated. We follow Margaret through her rural schooling, marveling that someday she will emigrate to the United States and continue her education in the elite halls of Harvard University and the University of Chicago.

I would encourage the author to write a sequel -- her life in America, where she has held high positions in some of our great companies. Getting to know Margaret through her memoir has indeed been a pleasure.

[Noreen Loftus]

Reading Margaret’s memoir reignited magical memories of growing up in rural Ireland in the 50’s & 60’s and the cover depicts the pose and fashion style reminiscent of these happy and carefree times. I thoroughly enjoyed reliving Margaret’s bicycle adventures to the dance halls with a peddler and passenger on the carrier, the feeling of warmth and protection from neighbours and soda bread and cocoa for supper. Great times and a great read.

[Patricia OConnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful memoir describing childhood in rural Ireland in the mid 20th century and also includes stories of life as a young woman in Dublin. It introduces characters with joy and nostalgia, and describes a simpler time in a supportive community.
It is a refreshing and engaging read.

[Mary Walshe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Margaret Connor's book immensely, the simplicity of life on a farm in Ireland in the 1940's and 1950's, the great community spirit, it brought back many happy memories.
I highly recommend this book.
Mary Walsh.

[Annmarie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful trip through Ireland during the 1950s and 1960s. Margaret touches the various aspects of life in County Mayo. Those Irish and non-Irish decent will joy this read.

[Willie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Ireland" recalls the author's early life in an Ireland very different from today’s mature or maturing emerald tiger, from her birth only a few years before the premature death of her father and life in rural Ballina to her foray as a young woman into Dublin. I, like many residents of the USA, have some Irish ancestry and think I have retained some Irish values (e.g., Catholicism) and some of the memorable expressions (e.g., “the gift of the gab”) passed along from my maternal grandmother, but despite living elsewhere in Europe for more than a year, have never set foot in Ireland. While I hope to visit Ireland within the next few years, this book captured the broad characteristics of Ireland in the 1940s and 1950s as well as details of the author’s early life. You will meet the author’s family, the dogs and other farm animals, and some of the neighbors, learn of the local economy including a shopkeeper or three, the social customs (churning butter and the teen dances), and even the infrastructure or amenities or their lack (e.g., schoolchildren bringing sod which served as fuel to heat the school).

I learned a lot about Ireland of the 1940s and 1950s. Should we anticipate from this author who has lived in the USA for decades now a "My America?"

[Bruce Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful read about rural life in Ireland in the mid-20th century. Margaret Connor portrays the strong sense of community, the value and virtue of faith, and the importance of family in imparting confidence. She demonstrates the impact of a strong community on eliminating crime. Technology's absence led to creativity in play, enterprise in building play objects, and much outdoor exercise and activity. The children helped significantly on the farm at a young age building a strong future work ethic.

The book contains solutions to many of the current Western societal concerns. Food was locally organically grown and sourced. Farmers marketed their own produce. Automobiles were few, so most people walked and rode bicycles resulting in a clean, safe environment with good physical and personal emotional health. Family and neighbors joined together to help each other. Marriage was frequently local with strong family support.

Approaching this book to provide a future template for revamped societies will allow the reader to explore the depths of wisdom this simple and warm lifestyle portrays. Well done, Ms. Connor.

Bruce Williams

[John M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The memoir My Ireland is a heartwarming journey through the life of an Irish woman in the 1940s and 1950s. The author takes us through her memories, highlighting the tight-knit community and strong family values that were prevalent during that time.

The simplicity of life in Ireland during the 40's and 50s shines through in the author's words. Fewer automobiles and how it was a cleaner environment at that time are emphasized, as is the deeper connection with nature in having the abundance of fresh food from local farms and drinking water from wells.

Religion played a large role in the community, and the author touches on this in her memoir. The crime rate was low, and the culture was well defined, adding to the feeling of innocence that is described in the book.

Overall, My Ireland is a wonderful read that highlights the importance of community and family in shaping our lives. The simple style of the writing makes it an enjoyable read, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression.