An Irish Navvy: The Diary of an Exile

My dad was a navy who came over in the early 50s. He never spoke of his early experiences here, and is no longer here to answer any questions. This helped to answer some of mine.

You will enjoy this book. It tells of Irish immigration of the 50's, the post-war building of motorways and the heavy navvy work that went with it. It is a tale of Gangers, 'Pick an' Shovel' work, lodging houses, boozing and fighting written by a man who experienced it alland it is written with an observant sensitivity which makes it hard to put down once you've started.It began as a diary record which Donall kept in Irish from the day he first landed. Someone had sight of it, recognised it for the gem it is and urged him to have it published. It's as thoroughly enjoyable in Irish as it is in English and now it is rightly regarded as a valuable social document. Shocking to think that it is now more than half a century since it first saw the light. Donall himself is 'ar sli na firinne' God rest him - lovely, generous soul who was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Solus De lena anam uasal.I heartily recommend his book to you.

Boring,, just keeps going on about Connemara, having been a navvy myself thought it would be interested or even humorous reading, sadly not. Would not recommend, don’t waste your money.

book became boring im afraid

important publication

Great book , well written

A gem of a book. Full of wit, warmth and wisdom - Irish story telling at its best. Casts a light on a poorly recorded but critical part of Irish emigrant history and the rarely seen immigrant world of British history. Simply - loved it!

I enjoyed reading this book