Land of my cradle days - Martin Morrissey

A gifted storyteller with a vivid memory, Martin Morrissey grew up in west Clare during the Second World War. After years in America, he returned to his native country. Here he gives us a sparkling and moving account of his boyhood days on a simple farm in rural Ireland, following in his beloved father's footsteps, observing the people and 'helping out' in a way that only small boys can do!

These were the final years of the 'age of conversation' before the arrival of electricity, when people provided their own entertainment.

This book has a classic timeless quality; humour, hard work, neighbourliness, and natural old fashioned farming combine to create a wholeness - a complete community

It recalls an era of homely good humour, of amusing 'characters' full of eccentricities, and of a warm and affectionate relationship with farm animals, especially the loyal workhorse.

Morrissey gives us superb descriptions of the Wren Dance, killing and sharing the pig, haymaking, seaweed gathering and his hilarious First Confession.