‘His tact and pacing, in the individual sentence and the overall story, are beautiful … McLaverty’s place in our literature is secure.’ Seamus HeaneyMichael McLaverty, one of Ireland’s most important short story writers, painted with acute precision and intensity the Northern Irish landscapes – lonely hill farms, rough island terrain and the tight back streets of Belfast. Focusing on moments of passion, wonder, or bitter disenchantment, these short stories, in the compassion of ton...

‘His tact and pacing, in the individual sentence and the overall story are beautiful … McLaverty’s place in our literature is secure.’ Seamus HeaneyIt is 1918 and thirteen-year-old Colm MacNeill is living happily on Rathlin Island when his security is suddenly shattered by the death of his father. The loss of the family breadwinner forces the MacNeills to leave their island home to make a life for themselves in the city. On the streets of Belfast Colm and his brothers enjoy a diffe...