Danny Boy - Tapa dura

‘Anne Bennett draws on her own background to give emotional depth to an affecting story populated with rich, beautifully drawn characters’ Choice

‘[Anne Bennett is] blessed with a vivid imagination and a natural aptitude for writing’ Daily Post

‘The beauty of Anne’s books is that they are about normal people and are sewn through with human emotions which affect us all’ Birmingham Post

A deeply moving saga of a young couple with high hopes for a bright future in rural Ireland, only to find themselves embroiled in the uprising of 1916 and having to make a new life for themselves in Birmingham.

Rosie’s family doesn’t have much money, but she’s rich in other ways: she loves her life on the farm, her sisters, her friends, and even her spoilt baby brother. When Danny Walsh asks her to walk out with him one Sunday, it’s a dream come true.

Everyone agrees that they are made for each other and soon they are married. But not everybody is as happy. Danny’s young brother Phelan is secretly involved with the Republican Brotherhood and runs away to join in the uprising of Easter 1916. Danny is a man of peace but has no choice; he must find his brother and bring him home. The brotherhood is not pleased; they cannot afford to lose a man, and before they release Phelan, Danny must swear to fight in his place.

Rosie is frantic with worry and tracks him down, to the prison where he is held for many months. Danny will never be the same again, and realises he will never be free of his promise to fight. He takes Rosie and their small daughter to what they hope is safety in Birmingham – but the fight to survive has just begun, as nobody will employ an Irishman when there’s a war on. Danny and Rosie will find their resources, spirit and love for each other are tested to the utmost limit before the future is bright again.