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By: Jimmy O’Connell

Death in Garrydangan

Pages: 226 Ratings: 5.0
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Father O’Byrne blessed him “In nomine Patris, et Fillii, et Spiritus Sancti…. Well, my son what are your sins?”

“I am going to kill Frankie Dalton.”

The priest was shocked into silence, not sure he heard correctly.

“What did you say?”

“I am going to murder Frankie Dalton.”

Father O’Byrne rubbed his forehead, “Did you say you wanted to or going to? There’s a difference, my son.”

“I’m going to, Father.”


In 1950s Ireland, the village of Garrydangan is divided and seething with resentment. The Land Commission has transferred farming families from the poorer districts of the west of Ireland to rich, available land in the Midlands. These families are resented by the locals and are called ‘migrants,’ ‘troublemakers,’ and accused of ‘taking their land’.


Frankie Dalton, the son of a local businessman, is a violent young man who targets the families of “Mayo migrants”. He shows no remorse for his actions and is never punished. But one day he goes too far and the Keanes want revenge.

Jimmy O’Connell was born in Dublin, has been writing and performing his work for many years in various venues. His poetry has appeared in ‘The Baltimore Review’, ‘Poetry Ireland Review’, ‘Stepaway Magazine’, ‘Flare 7 & 10’, ‘Poetry for a New Ulster’ and ‘Lime Square Poets’, Voices from the Land, New Worlds New Voices Anthology, among others. A collection of his poetry, ‘Although it is Night’, was published by Wordonthestreet in 2013. His first published novel was ‘Batter the Heart’. 

Customer Reviews
5.0
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1 reviews
  • David Hynes

    Shakespeare said that all life is a stage …and Jimmy O Connell gives us a story of an Irish village and the people trapped in the times they lived in . Characters tormented and plagued by what’s expected of them and meanwhile all manner of vileness is to be allowed to pass . Women , men and devastatingly children made to pay the highest of prices for etiquette and decorum . You may think is a story not unlike many other stories you’ve heard of rural Irish life in the past but it’s crafted that way …and hidden under the surface are truths that every character is forced to live with. Each and every one will carry to their graves …haunted and hunted by trauma , grief , conscience and consequence.
    Death in Garrydangan is an extremely moving tale that you won’t forget and you’ll find yourself feeling for the characters. Jimmy O Connell has written a book that deserves to be read .

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