1 1

Leaving Ardglass

Leaving Ardglass

Edited by

Author: William KIng
€15,00 EUR
€15,00 EUR
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Book cover type

In 1961, MJ Galvin, an Irish building contractor in London, brings over his kid brother, Tom, to join the family business. Educated, sensitive and naive, and destined for the seminary, Tom witnesses a killing, learns about dead men and the start in Camden Town, experiences drunken brawls and the excitement of dancehall nights in the Galtymore. He faces a decision that will shape his future: will he join his successful brother and make a fortune, or follow an inner voice towards the priesthood?

The inner voice prevails, Tom enrolls as a seminarian, goes to Rome, becomes a monsignor and is tipped for a bishopric, only to renounce power and prestige, and be relegated to a quiet country parish disillusioned by the betrayal of principles within his Church as a new century dawns.

Leaving Ardglass is powerful family saga evoking the tensions and transformations within a new Ireland as traditional values give way to consumerism and one man’s odyssey becomes everyman’s.

Details

ISBN: 9781843511359

Extent: 272

Published:

View full details

Praise and Reviews

  • ‘One of the best novels to have come out of Ireland in a long time. It chronicles not just a personal and spiritual journey but the state of a nation over 40 years. Outstanding.’ – John Boland, Irish Independent

  • ‘Leaving Ardglass gives us a stunning insight into Church politics, the highs and lows of serving God, and the confusions and contradictions that modern Ireland has foisted on all of us.’ – Joe Duffy, Mail on Sunday

  • ‘A finely written and brave book that throws up uncomfortable truths and interesting parallels between hidden worlds driven by ambitious men determined to survive.’ – Dermot Bolger, Sunday Business Post

1 3

About the Author

William King was born in Kilflynn, County Kerry, in 1945. He studied at University College Dublin and Holy Cross College, Clonliffe, and is parish priest at Corpus Christi, Drumcondra. He is author of bestselling novelsThe Strangled Impulse(1997),Swansong(2001) andLeaving Ardglass(2008).

More