Maureen O'Carroll

A Musical Memoir of an Irish Immigrant Childhood

"This is more than a charming Irish memoir. The voice of a spirited young girl sets the perfect tone to deliver Irish history, the determination of a family to make their way into another country, and the importance of music." - The New York Times best selling author Jacqueline Sheehan.

"A splendid read." - Oliver P. Rafferty, Professor of History, Boston College.

A richly evocative memoir of resilience, ambition, and music that traces the extraordinary journey of John and May O’Carroll - Irish independence fighters who, after years of periodic imprisonment, began anew in Depression-era Sydney, Australia. Told through the eyes of fiercely observant middle child Maureen, this narrative chronicles the chaos and warmth of a large immigrant family and their determination to thrive in their new home. Music plays a vital role in the lives of the ten children and is instrumental in the family rising above their hard circumstances to achieve a better life.

Brimming with humor, heart, and historical insight, this compelling account, written by Maureen and her daughter Leora, celebrates the unbreakable bonds of kin, the endurance of identity, and the transformative power of music.

It was well written and enjoyable. Her writing held my attention and allowed me to me into her life

I loved the story . The computer generated voice was a bit bland. But the narrative was so interesting that it didn’t matter. I could visualize every scene as I listened