But It's Only A Name: An historical novel about Ireland and the Irish Diaspora inspired by the tune names in O'Neill's 1001 (in English)
Synopsis "But It's Only A Name: An historical novel about Ireland and the Irish Diaspora inspired by the tune names in O'Neill's 1001 (in English)"
'But It's Only A Name' is a historical novel in three Volumes about Ireland and the Irish-American Diaspora with genealogical and musical themes. Volume 1: The Introduction discusses how traditional tune-names still highlight what inspired the original composer players, and following a brief review of early Irish collections, explains how the titles from 'The Dance Music of Ireland -1001 Gems' by Captain Francis O'Neill and Sergeant James O'Neill have been integrated into Volume 2 to create a fictional 19th century family. 'The Past' subsequently provides a historical perspective, including chapters about Ireland's Celtic identity and music to complement the main themes, until the first section concludes with 'Phoenix Park, August 2000'. When a descendant of my main characters illustrates the power of ancestry, despite the declining significance of her Irish heritage. Volume 2: 'The Present' begins and ends in Chicago during 1899, describing the history of an ordinary Irish-American family as recollected by a latter-day Seanchai, Paddy O'Rafferty. Ranging from County Cork to how he meets Mary Craig-Cooney in Galway and they eventually settle in Chicago; including their experiences of the Great Famine, emigration, America's Civil War, frontier life and an encounter with Francis O'Neill and associates. In which 'Bantry Bay 1839-47' and 'A Guardian Archangel' relate to Paddy's wife, who survives the Famine because of a debt-of-honour dating back to the United Irishmen, 'But Who's Uncle Sam' following 'Step-Mothering Stones' is not a metaphor for America, and 'Family Monkey-Puzzle Tree' describes a grandson's rather confused attempt to understand the story. Volume 3: 'The Future' - Danny becomes obsessed with Ireland and neglects his mother's Louisiana background, prior to discovering the link with her coloured companion. Nonetheless, he only visits Ireland once, and the story finishes with a travel diary from 1960. As recalled during his hundredth birthday-party whilst everyone celebrates around him. Only Danny's wife understands what keeps his mind active following a stroke, before the Epilogue returns to their Granddaughter's trip during August 2000, whose twins just happen to be touring Australia; though nobody realises Danny foresaw the future before he died, or that they are about to resolve another emotive mystery from their past after an ancestor was transported there during the Famine. A final Addendum then brings Francis O'Neill's musical legacy and a resume of real Irish history full circle.
