The Irish Dresser: A Story of Hope During the Great Hunger (An Gorta Mor, 1845-1850

by Cynthia G. Neale

During the Irish Famine from 1845?1850 over a million people perished due to hunger and fever. Thousands of ships brought more than two million Irish people to North America in search of food. The Irish Dresser is the saga of the McCabe family who struggle to survive during this difficult time. When thirteen-year-old Nora McCabe crawls into the old dresser that sits next to the hearth holding a few pieces of her mother's china, she dreams of luscious cakes and fairies as hunger pains grip her. It is in the dresser that Nora finds hope when her father declares they must leave their beloved Ireland for America. Hidden in the magical dresser aboard the ship traveling to a new land, Nora lives an adventure that transforms her life and turns hope into a reality.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Irish Literature

100 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

I grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York state where I climbed trees and sat on their wide welcoming branches to read. I dreamed of word making in a magical and lush landscape. The many waterfalls throughout the area sang stories of the original natives. The Chilean poet, Gabriela Mistral wrote, "No, I don't believe that I will be lost after death. Why should You have made me fruitful, if I must be emptied and left like the crushed sugar canes? Why should You spill the light across my forehead and my heart every morning if You will not come to pick me, as one picks the dark grapes that sweeten in the sun, in the middle of autumn?"

Our ancestors cheer us on...the Celtic mind believes there is a thin line between life and death. I want to cheer on our ancestors and make them known through my writing. We are the sum of our ancestors and we heal and become empowered with compassion when we tell stories.

We can't sanitize and remake history, nor should we become stuck in the rage of the past, but remembrance through stories that are threaded with truth is redemptive and inspirational.

I have four historical novels about the Irish Famine and immigration.The Irish Dresser series begins with 'The Irish Dresser, A Story of Hope during The Great Hunger (An Gorta Mor, 1845-1850)' published by White Mane Publishers. The second book is 'Hope in New York City, the Continuing Story of The Irish Dresser,' also published by White Mane Publishers. The third book in the series is 'Norah, The Making of an Irish-American Woman in 18th-Century New York' published by Fireship Press. My last book in the series is 'The Irish Milliner,' also published by Fireship Press. Beginning with the Famine right through to the end of the Civil War, this is historical fiction that breaks the lock on the vault of history's stereotypical agitprop about Irish women. It is historical fiction that is a vivid sketch of one woman in the 1850s becoming liberated from impossible circumstances.

My fifth historical fiction is 'Catharine, Queen of the Tumbling Waters,' that is being published by Bedazzled Ink Publishers in spring of 2023. A story of another strong woman, a real life Native American with French blood who lived in the 1700s in Pennsylvania and New York during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Catharine Montour, obscure, but a heroine in our history, meets Benjamin Franklin and leads her people to safety when the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign to destroy all Iroquois villages is enacted. Another strong woman who breaks the lock on history's understanding of Native American women.

For light, delicious, whimsical reading, 'Pavlova in a Hat Box, Sweet Memories & Desserts' is published by Amazon. Another cookbook is in the making, to be co-authored by Margaret Mitchell, a Scotswoman with a B&B in New Hampshire. 'Transatlantic Tarts, Wee Tales and Recipes by Two Celtic Cake Queens.'

I've also written a screenplay series adapted from The Irish Dresser Series, as well as a screenplay, Blue Vega, adapted from a true coming of age story about a single singing blues and jazz mother raising six children in the 60s and 70s in a small town in upstate New York. Also, a musical play, Diamond Juba, adapted from my second novel, 'Hope in New York City,' about the Irish dancer, Jack Diamond and the black dancer, Master Juba (William Henry Lane).

I speak at festivals, bookstores, schools, libraries, shelters, organizations. I write in the cover of my books, "Hope dances in the darkness and believes in the Lover who casts light at our feet."

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent novel about Nora McCabe, a 13-year-old Irish girl, and her family and how they struggle during the potato famine of Ireland in the 1800's. A million people died not only from hunger but sicknesses. Nora sometimes stays inside a dresser (piece of furniture) at home because she finds peace and hope there. She ends up having to hide in there during her family's trip to America aboard a ship because her father didn't have enough money for her ticket. This is a story about hope during challenging times. The author wrote in such a wonderful way that you feel as if you're there in Ireland with the McCabe family scrounging the fields for any last bit of potatoes. You're there on the ship sailing for America, amongst the sick who are dying. Most of all, you cling to the same hope Nora does, especially when she is separated from her family who is probably on a different ship.
In the back of the book there are lesson plans. One example is how a teacher can use this story to teach about history - the potato famine in Ireland, and the connections this country had with England. Current hunger statistics of other countries can be reviewed, as well as types of relief efforts that are available.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy historical fiction, so the striking cover of this book was quick to catch my attention. The author tells of the horrific potato famine the Irish people had to deal with, while at the same time, she lovingly describes the beauty of their countryside. Rich with detail, I was right onboard the ship with Nora McCabe, who was a stowaway during the long grueling trip to America. The Irish Dresser is an engaging story of a fascinating time in history.

[Amanda Lauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book, but I think so many adults would benefit from reading it. It's the story of a girl named Nora who lives with her family in Ireland during the Great Hunger. It's unbelievable what the Irish went through from 1845-1850 when their potato crops failed because of a fungus (their main food source). This led to massive starvation and famine across the land which some say could have been alleviated by England, which ruled Ireland at the time, but their governing entities chose not to for various political reasons. Neale did a nice job writing this book. The only two things I'd point out that a couple of pivotal moments in the book were glossed over, like when Jack and Nora stole food from the ship's captain, instead of showing us the event and how frightened they were committing that offense, it was mentioned in passing after it happened. Also, 90% of the book was written in first person in Nora's head but then randomly toward the end was written from Maggie's point of view in a couple of scenes. Overall, it's a book worth reading so people remember the suffering the Irish have been through and the resilience they have shown through centuries of upheaval in their country.

[Joanne Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

l love the book I think I've read all her books. This book is for our book club for June and yes SHE THE AUTHOR TO THIS BOOK AND MANY MORE SHE COMING TO OUR LIBRARY IN JUNE TO SPEAK I CAN'T WAIT YES I'VE MEET HER BEFORE GREAT PERSON YES SHE FROM IRELAND

[Charlotte Dickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading The Irish Dresser by Cynthia Neale. I had read her book, Norah: The Making of an Irish-American Woman in 19th-Century New York, and was so intrigued with that book, I decided to read The Irish Dresser, which was intended for a young audience. However, as an adult reader, I found her 13-year old character, Nora, absolutely entrancing. The author charms her audience while at the same time presents the tragedy of the Great Hunger in Ireland. The plight of the Irish in the years of the Potato Famine has never been more real to me. This is the great truth of historical fiction—it can make history live in a way that no history book can. While this book for younger audiences portrays life for Irish immigrants to the United States in the mid-19th Century, it also brings home social issues that are just as pertinent today as they were then, for instance, immigration and policies that have for some time now been pursued that favor the well-to-do over those less fortunate. While this may not have been Cynthia Neale’s intent when she told that story, it makes me wonder about today’s policies and if we will ever learn the lessons of the past. Whatever we might choose to learn from this story, one thing is very clear, Neale writes a captivating story and gives us a character we will always remember.

[Christopher Obert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives us the touching story of Nora, a young girl, and the horror of the Irish Potato Famine. The story is a tale of hardship, courage and faith that Nora, her family and the Irish people had to endure. I truly felt for Nora and was carried along with her during her trials and tribulations. The book is targeted to a young adult audience but this older guy found it a great read.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother in law's friend wrote this book, it is historical fiction based on the Irish Famine with details that are historically correct.

[Tim]

Great book. Love the author also.

[Tina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to read to realize how good we have it these days.
Imagine living on potatoes and then your crop goes bad becuase of the weather.
I can't wait to read her follow up book.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favorite book by Cynthia! I loved the story.