The Hamiltons
8 total works
This work is set inIreland, 1912. Now in her fifties and a grandmother, Rose Hamilton has much to be thankful for in the steady love of her husband John and their relative prosperity. But she is concerned for her children: Sarah, recently widowed, is burdened with grief and worried by signs of trade union discontent in the Sinton family mills. Sam, married to cold, selfish Martha, is struggling to bring up his six children. Only Hannah, happily married and living in England, causes Rose no worry, though she misses her dreadfully. As world events impinge on the family at Ballydown - the sinking of the Titanic and the outbreak of the First World War - Rose and Sarah face new challenges and tragedies in their daily lives.
A spellbinding novel of 19th century Ireland, from the acclaimed author of On A Clear Day and Beyond the Green Hills Little Rose McGinley is just seven years old when her family is harshly evicted from their home in Donegal, victims of the Clearances of 1861. It is the first step in what will be a long and eventful journey for Rose, one that will take her from Donegal to Kerry, and back again to the North, with her husband and four children. But the feisty little girl blossoms into a woman of extraordinary character, who confronts hardship and tragedy - as well as great happiness - with steadfast courage and the determination to keep her family together, against all the odds.
The enchanting story of a young girl growing up in 1950s Ireland Little Clare Richardson is just nine years old when her childhood is abruptly ended, with the death of both her parents. Though part of a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins - most living in and around Armagh - Clare feels herself bereft, and with the cares of the world on her shoulders. Her little brother William is a difficult child at best of times, and looking after him proves a full-time job. Taken in by kind Aunt Polly, to live in her cramped house in Belfast, Clare knows only that she wants to go back to live in the country. When her Grandma Scott dies, leaving her blacksmith grandfather alone, Clare seizes her opportunity, and returns to Salter's Grange to take care of him. At first tentative and awkward, the relationship between the old man and his granddaughter develops into a warm and loving bond that will sustain Clare through the years of her adolescence - as she grows into a lovely, intelligent young woman with the world at her feet.
The sequel to On a Clear Day, which continues the enchanting story of Clare Richardson; Clare, now aged 20 and blossoming into a beautiful young woman, is looking forward to her final year at university, and to the return of her childhood sweetheart Andrew to Ulster. After a happy summer together they become engaged, and the future looks bright. But when Clare and Andrew's romance ends in disappointment and shattered dreams, she determines to make a new life on her own. Following in the footsteps of so many of her fellow countrymen, she takes the Liverpool boat and from there goes to Paris. Life 'beyond the green hills' is exciting and stimulating, but it brings with it the realization that she will only ever be at home in her beloved Ireland.
It is 1942, and the Second World War has been going on for three wearying years. Work is hard in the Ulster mills in Northern Ireland where Alex Hamilton struggles to keep overworked machines going, just as his wife Emily tries to provide food and comfort not only for their own children, but for the many young American soldiers stationed nearby. Bad news comes daily, but there is still a welcome for friends and strangers, and moments of happiness come at even the darkest of times.
County Armagh, 1932. For Sam Hamilton and Robert Scott, the world has changed greatly since the days when they played together outside their fathers' forge. Now in their fifties, with families of their own, they are grateful to have work at a time of mass-unemployment and little security for many of those who do have jobs. Focusing on the heartache of Sam's younger son and namesake, and the loneliness and anxiety of Robert's beloved youngest daughter, Ellie, For Many a Long Day is a story of courage and friendship, of disappointment and achievement, and most of all, of the final triumph of patience and love.
1924. At nearly sixteen, Rosie Hamilton of Liskeyborough, is growing into a lovely young woman. With only another week to go at Miss Wilson's school in Richhill, she is concerned and preoccupied with what her future might hold. Rosie has always had to contend with her mother's fierce and unpredictable temper despite all the efforts of her kind and patient father, Sam. When Rosie has the opportunity to go to Kerry she takes a step into a completely new world and a future that will bring her happiness on the long journey to Kerry.
In the closing years of the nineteenth century the Hamilton family have much to be thankful for. As well as the new-found security of living in their own home at Ballydown, John is a respected employee and friend of mill owner Hugh Sinton, and Rose has a new, much-valued friend in Elizabeth Sinton, Hugh's sister. The women's close bond is a source of comfort and strength to both of them, and Rose has every reason to be happy with her lot, after years of hardship and poverty.
As Rose and John watch their children, James, Sam, Hannah and their last-born, strong-willed Sarah, make their own choices and mistakes they must draw on inner reserves of courage and steadfastness to face both pain and joy as all their futures unfold.
As Rose and John watch their children, James, Sam, Hannah and their last-born, strong-willed Sarah, make their own choices and mistakes they must draw on inner reserves of courage and steadfastness to face both pain and joy as all their futures unfold.