An Foghlaimeoir- that just means learner in Irish! Everyone has that written above their information. The blue highlited writing is the person's name . Mine is An Cionnfhaolach, but my first name is "Cian" (which can mean sorrow, ancient or to express that something is far away or old. I have also found out recently, on this forum, that it means boring as well )and my surname is "Ó Cionnfhaolaidh"(which means head wolf) (Kenneally is the anglicised name). All Irish second names may be turned into nouns so: "an Cionnfhaolach"- or the Kenneally.

It is more than likely that the Protestants of your character's era would not have spoken Irish at all, if they did they would not have used it as their everyday language, because it was frowned upon and they would have had very little respect for it also because Irish was connected to poverty and backwardness. They would have undoubtedly conducted their religious lives through English or Latin (as I am not sure if the Protestant churches used Latin back then) but I am certain that they would not have used Irish. If they were protestant they would also have been much better off (wealth wise) than their catholic counterparts and they would not have been affected as badly by the Famine for two reasons.

First reason, many English people thought of the Famine as God's way of punishing the Irish for being Catholic, soup kitchens were set up, but many of these soup kitchens were only for protestants and one would have to convert to Protestantism in order to drink the soup. The people that converted were called "soup drinkers" or "soup takers". If your characters were one of these people, they would have been hated in their society for bowing to Protestantism. One protestant community that did not require people to convert where the Quakers and their very name exudes gratitude from the irish in Ireland to this day. Secondly, many landlords took pity on their Protestant tenants but evicted harshly their Catholic tenants when they could not pay their rents.

Protestants of an earlier era would have had and indeed spoken Irish for instance the 13 protestant apprentice boys (1.) that closed the gates of Derry in 1689 would have spoken Irish. Many people incorrectly believe Irish declined after the Famine, in truth, Irish was in decline before the Famine but the famine only accelerated its decline as the class of people most affected were Irish speaking Catholics, many died and many emigrated. Their was also the harsh realisation that in order for them to move up the social ladder they would have to learn and speak English and so many did with a heavy heart.

There was always a steady emigration rate from Ireland to America. The Emigrants that emigrated before the famine would have nearly all been Protestants, and were fairly well off, and whose families would have originally come from England or protestant Scotland. That is why today most Americans that claim Irish ancestory are in fact some form of Protestant.There are exceptions of course like the Catholic Pádraig Piarais Condún who was born in Baile Mhac Óda in 1777 (a place very close to where I live) and emigrated to Utica in 1826. He is of great interest because he is only one of two, I believe, who wrote their emigrant letters home in Irish. And whose personal poetry and letters (that may also conflict one another) give an insight into the life of an early Irish emigrant. His letters home are full of boasting about America saying how everyone is equal there, how life is easier with much better economic and employment opportunities- this trying to entice family members over- i.e Chain Migration. His personal poetry can contradict this and he often expresses love for Ireland with the want of returning home.

During the Famine years (1845- 1852), with 1847 being known as "bliadhan an Áir" (or the year of the slaughter) i.e the worst year of the famine, there was a huge reversal, and Catholics made up the vast majority of emigrants because they were being the worst affected. Your character would therefore have more than likely been Catholic if his parents emigrated in this era.

There had been a fairly drastic decline in the Irish population from the Famine "An Gorta Mór" (or the Great Hunger) (2.) of 1845-1853 onwards. From 8,175,124 in 1841 (before the Famine years to less) to 4,388,107 in 1905 (http://www.libraryireland.com/articles/ ... /index.php) and continued on until the 60s. Emigration began again during the 80s with most being Catholic and most looking to the USA to build a new life. That is a huge demographic change to occur in such a short space of time.

These emigrants were known as "deoraithe" (plural) or "deoraí" (single), these mean those that are exiled or the one who is exiled. These "deoraithe" saw their emigration as being forced upon them. The word "deoraí" itself comes from the word "deora" i.e tears i.e tears when you cry, they were so upset at leaving their country. So "deoraí" directly translates as the one who is in/ with tears.

As you have mentioned that your character grew up in New York and he would have heard Irish, possibly from a variety of dialects, I have referenced a chapter of a book that you may find very useful:

Kenneth E. Nilsen, ‘The Irish Language in New York City 1850-1900,’
in T. Meagher and R. Bayor (organised),The New York Irish,
(Baltimore and London, 1995), pages 252- 74

I haven't read it myself, but I am going to. Did you know that The Irish in New York had their own Irish language Newspaper called "Gaodhal", I think they have set up a new one in the same name but with re-formed spelling called "Gael".

The Irish were also notorious for their political organisation in America which got them a powerful foothold in American politics. This was due to the experience of the Irish in trying to get a Catholic "Daniel O' Connell" or as he was known to the Irish as "Dónal Ó Conaill" also known as "the Liberator" or "An Fuascailteor" elected to Parliament, which was illegal at the time, because he was Catholic. This was successful because the Irish organised parish (3.) collections and organised "monster meetings" so called because they had such an attendance at them- they were latter band by the Protestant Government. Even Amhlaoibh Ó Suilleabháin whose diary I quoted from earlier collected this tax and also spoke in Irish and the "Monster Meetings" or "Ollchruinnithe/ Ollaontaí" (mighty meetings/ gatherings) in Irish.

The Irish brought this knowledge with them and they were very successful in raising money for politicians and organising gatherings (Irish "Aonach" (singular)/ "aontaí" (plural) or meetings. Maybe you could do a bit of research in this area and incorporate it into your book, just as a way of showing the political climate of the day. Just as a suggestion, might be interesting.

1. The Apprentice Boys, also known as the Brave 13, were the group who closed the gates of Derry and refused to surrender to the Catholic James the second's jacobithe army during the "Siege of Derry" between 18 April until- 28th of July 1689. The siege was finally lifted when Royal Navy ships broke through the boom (floating) barrier and sailed up the river Foyle, thus giving the City relief and resources. The event is commemorated each year on the 28th of July by the "Apprentice Boys' Order". They march around the walls of Derry including the walls overlooking the "Bogside", a staunchly Catholic Nationalist area, which caused huge tension in he past, but thankfully not as much in recent years. Due to this "siege mentality" a number of Protestant slogans were coined "Never Surrender" and "Londonderry (Derry as it is known by Protestants), city still under siege"- This reflects the fact that Londonderry/ Derry has in over the years accumulated a large Catholic population and this population is seen as a threat.

2. Famine "Gorta Mór" (Great hunger): by the way Gorta Mór is a fairly "knewish" term for the Famine of 1845- 1853, at the time most Irish speakers would have called it "an Droch-shaoghal" or the (the bad life)

3. Parish: An administrative part of a diocese that has its own church(es) and priest(s). A collection of parishes make up a Diocese. Originally used for taxation purposes.- Its basically a way of the Church breaks up the land for administrative purposes.

Apologies for such detailed answers but I believe a book that sounds as good as yours should be as accurate as possible.

No apology necessary for the details. All of that is helpful. And my apology for getting your name wrong. Actually, I didn't think it was your name but rather what you called yourself here. Perhaps learner is better than sorrow and boring?

My own name is a rather boring American one, Williams. But that is my married name. Reaching back into the annals of time, I am descended from the McAlpines who were I believe Scottish. My grandfather, Cecil was born Cecil McColpin, which in true American fashion was misspelled countless times in every record including McAlpine and McCorpin. As to my first name's meaning, it is my mother's middle name and my grandfather's grandmother's name. Past it sentimental worth, I don't think it had meaning when they chose it. LOL

I did know of the political climate of New York. I took that into account, but honestly generalized it to avoid having to name specific people. The crime the boy commits was more one of self-defense, but it was witnessed by some rather unsavory Irish characters who I referred to as "powerful" in light of the history of the area. This is what gets him in even further trouble. I am also aware that history changed in 1871, with the fall of Boss Tweed. In the 3rd book, set in 1873, I returned the boy to New York with his wife as a reluctant, albeit gifted performer. His remark on it is that the city hated him when he was poor and loves him now that he has this talent. It's an ironic remark. Giving an Irish character some fame in New York in that day might perhaps be out of the norm, but it is fiction and so I've taken license to do it. I will probably state so in the back of the book.

I'd find the book you reference interesting and I'd like to read it. I'm not sure where I'd get a copy, and so will have to do some research.

That his mother was Catholic works fine in the story as well. She has passed away at the beginning of the story and so any reference to her is in the boy's memory. He is Protestant in the book, but maybe he converts to it during his struggles. That wouldn't change anything. It doesn't fully explain his mother's grasp of English, though I've made it heavily accented and obviously she spoke Gaelic to him in some form or he wouldn't have learned it. It also doesn't explain why he can read it. I do strive for accuracy as much as possible, so that needs to be thought out. But I can make her history anything I wish and can tweak his upbringing to explain it. Any suggestions are helpful.

You've given a plausible reason for his literacy, but it leaves me with a question. If his mother wasn't literate and his father has passed before his birth, also since he was born and raised in America, then would it have been possible for another male figure (perhaps taking pity on his mother) to have educated him? I'm thinking she would have wanted him to have the advantages he couldn't get in Ireland.

A former Hedge school teacher maybe that his mother became friends with while on the coffin ship over from Ireland, as a suggestion.

A former Hedge school teacher maybe that his mother became friends with while on the coffin ship over from Ireland, as a suggestion.

Is that a budding author screaming to get out, Cian?!!

Is that a budding author screaming to get out, Cian?!!

I'm thinking at this point, I have a co-author. But seriously, all of this information is helpful to me. I did find a copy of the suggested book and have ordered it.

As long as it is possible and I have an explanation for anyone who asks, then that'll work. When I do the re-edit next year, I will tweak the story to include all this new info. Thanks!

nah its your book, have it the way you want, my ideas are only suggestions, I hope you don't think I'm forcing them on you?! oh did ya?! Let me know if the book was any good.

Sometimes the facts and the truth can add to a plot in so many ways. It should work if you want to make it as factual as possible, no bother glad to help . Its your book so there's no need to make changes if you don't want to !

January 1870, New York City

Whispered threads of frosty air purled from Michael's breath as he stepped into the street. His feet slithered over the frozen pavement. Grasping the edges of his coat, he ducked beneath the wide collar and shoved his hands deep in his pockets. His fingers met up with his shirt. Holes. That's what remained of his life.

His mother's lovely face floated upward his thoughts, and he swallowed the lump in his throat. If only it was as it had been – her and him against the rest of the world. The rosy image faded into the coal-black night.

Three months since she had passed, yet the ache inside grew larger and larger. He'd lost it all – their belongings, their room at the tenement. Forced to sell her stuff to pay the rent and buy food, he'd even traded in her wedding band, and that hurt the most, for it was all that remained of her and the father he'd never known.

His nose stiffened in the icy cold and he labored to breathe. Now, he'd nowhere to go. The landlord had tossed him out with only the clothes on his back. "Irish scum!" he’d shouted.

The other families only watched, shaking their heads. He didn't blame them for not helping. It was the way of things. Everyone wanted to survive, and in survival, "me" became the most important thing.

The pavement ended at a wide, littered street where narrow buildings huddled together for warmth. Michael picked up the pace and winced as his toes, numbed by the frigid temperatures, clacked together. At the corner, he paused. Laughter spilled out from the open doorway of the tavern onto the cold, empty street. A welcome blast of heat stung his eyes as he swung in the door.

"Hello handsome. I hoped you'd come back." Tapered fingers sporting evenly-shaped nails seized his chin and spun it forward onto a pair of full, crimson lips.

The force of the kiss slammed him against the wall.

"Mwa!" With a loud smack, she released his chin. "You denied me last time, so I decided to take what I want."

The extreme heat in the room settled on his cheeks. "Amber, I ..." he began. But she grasped him by the collar and tugged him across the room.