These short stories are set primarily in the farmland of County Antrim in Northern Ireland during the author’s youth, but some stories also take place in the city of Belfast.
County Antrim has always enjoyed a strong Scottish influence, dating from the plantation that began in the seventeenth century. That influence is reflected not only in the manner of speech but also in the social values that the young author experienced, wherein money, land and family were especially important—often in that order.
World War II also had a marked influence at that time and affected the peace of mind, outlook and decisions of the people. Long before television entered the home, family and neighborhood get-togethers were common and discussions that often tripped into friendly gossip were a form of keeping abreast of things.
The very human lives of these wholesome people, their sorrow, happiness, humor and futility, are picturesquely captured in the author’s sensitive, homespun stories.
