As Good As I Got: Remembering A Post War Irish Childhood - Maureen Lafferty

The cover states: ‘ "Those were amongst the happiest days of our childhood. We were in a different world, a world where life moved at a slower pace, where the worries of today had not even been imagined. I was sad to leave what I considered to be my real home, the place of my birth, rich with nostalgia and where making the best of a tough and meagre existence was commonplace."

A childhood holiday inspires an exploration into the family history of a ten year old Irish girl. Tales of peculiar neighbours; exploring a deserted cottage; visiting Grandad at work on the Donegal turf moors; ghost stories; turn of the century life in the Inishowen homestead; grasping family members; inoculation; emigrating on the 'Cattle Boat' to 'no dogs, no Irish, no children; lodgings in England; the Irish workmen in England; living in a Halfway house; 1950s convalescence; a convent education and performing in a bagpipe band. This is the true story of a young family's separation from their homeland, precipitated by years of homelessness as they moved between relatives in Donegal and Derry before finally settling in England. Rich in symbolism, the theme is one of a deeply poignant yet often comical perspective of an uncertain Irish childhood against a background of chronic despair yet dogged hope, seen through the eyes of a cheerfully resilient spirited child.'

Publisher’s comment: ‘As Good As I Got is truly a delightfully original tale with a very wide appeal. Candidly told through the eyes of a child, realistically and with naпve humour, it is an easy read. The book lays bare the difficulties faced by a troubled young family whose destiny changed when their original aspirations to make a life in England were dashed with the break out of World War 2. Family history is explored and olden times in Ireland are remembered together with the catholicism of the time. The eccentricities of the many Irish characters are recounted hilariously and an undercurrent of the pursuit of peace in Ireland is symbolised by the challenges faced by a child as she makes post-war England her home. This is a touching, highly moving, sad, funny, highly entertaining story - a perfect gift for friends and family with an interest in historical Irish culture dating from the nineteen century to 1950s England. Cleverly written, each chapter easily stands alone as a short story. Rich in detail, you will be captivated by this book and will want to read it over and over again. Maureen Lafferty really knows how to tell a good Irish story.

ISBN 978-0-9566449-1-6 Backchat Publishing Ltd.

Also available as an audio book (ISBN 978-0-9566449-0-9)

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