A Heartfelt Memoir of 1940s Rural Ireland
"You don't have to be Irish to cherish this literary gift--just being human and curious and from a family will suffice." --Malachy McCourt, New York Times bestselling author of A Monk Swimming
In the tradition of Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes and Alice Taylor's To School Through the Fields, Tom Phelan's We Were Rich and We Didn't Know It is a heartfelt and masterfully written memoir of growing up in Ireland in the 1940s.
Life in County Laois: A Time Before Modern Conveniences
Tom Phelan was born and raised in County Laois in the Irish midlands, where he spent his formative years working alongside his wise and demanding father. Together, they sought to wrest a livelihood from a farm that was often wet, muddy, and back-breaking. This memoir captures a vanished world—a time before rural electrification, the telephone, and indoor plumbing.
The narrative transports readers to an era when the main modes of travel were bicycle and animal cart, when small farmers struggled to survive, and when turkey eggs were hatched in the kitchen cupboard. It was a time when the Church exerted enormous control over Ireland, shaping daily life and community values.
From Midwife Delivery to Coming of Age
We Were Rich and We Didn't Know It recounts Tom's upbringing in an isolated, rural community from the day he was delivered by the local midwife. With tears and laughter, this memoir speaks to the strength of the human spirit in the face of life's adversities. Phelan's masterful storytelling brings to life the challenges and joys of Irish farm life during a transformative period in the nation's history.
About Tom Phelan
Tom Phelan had just turned fifty when his first novel, In the Season of the Daisies, was accepted for publication. Since then, Phelan has written five other novels: Iscariot, Derrycloney, The Canal Bridge, Nailer, and Lies the Mushroom Pickers Told. Born and reared in Ireland, he now lives in New York.
Perfect For
This memoir appeals to readers who cherished Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes, those interested in Irish family history and cultural heritage, and anyone seeking authentic accounts of mid-20th century rural life. It's an essential addition to any Irish literature collection and makes a thoughtful gift for book lovers who appreciate honest, beautifully crafted personal narratives.
