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The Powerscourt Series #2
The Garden of Ireland: An Irish 19th Century Family Saga
Ireland/England 1880
On the run from the authorities after escaping from jail in Ireland, Joseph meets a stranger on the boat to England. With little money to his name and in need of help, Joseph follows his new friend to Manchester, where he falls in with a crowd of Irish nationalists, eager to make a stir. Soon, he will find his life spiraling out of control, and Joseph will have to decide which is more his loyalty to the cause or his own moral code.
After being evicted from their home, Maura and the remainder of her family travel to the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow to begin a new life working there. But Maura isn’t given a job as a maid as before. She is put in charge of the lord’s only son, a sickly six-year-old confined to his room and too afraid to emerge from beneath his covers. As the young boy begins to recover mentally, Maura begins to investigate his illness. With the help of an insider, she uncovers an insidious plot to steal the boy’s inheritance—an almost unimaginable fortune. But as Maura digs deeper, she finds herself not just fighting for her family’s future, but for her own life.
THE GARDEN OF IRELAND is the second novel in a new series by the #1 Amazon bestselling author of WHITE ROSE, BLACK FOREST, and THE MAUREEN RITTER series, set in Ireland in the 19th century. Download it and discover Eoin Dempsey’s books today.
On the run from the authorities after escaping from jail in Ireland, Joseph meets a stranger on the boat to England. With little money to his name and in need of help, Joseph follows his new friend to Manchester, where he falls in with a crowd of Irish nationalists, eager to make a stir. Soon, he will find his life spiraling out of control, and Joseph will have to decide which is more his loyalty to the cause or his own moral code.
After being evicted from their home, Maura and the remainder of her family travel to the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow to begin a new life working there. But Maura isn’t given a job as a maid as before. She is put in charge of the lord’s only son, a sickly six-year-old confined to his room and too afraid to emerge from beneath his covers. As the young boy begins to recover mentally, Maura begins to investigate his illness. With the help of an insider, she uncovers an insidious plot to steal the boy’s inheritance—an almost unimaginable fortune. But as Maura digs deeper, she finds herself not just fighting for her family’s future, but for her own life.
THE GARDEN OF IRELAND is the second novel in a new series by the #1 Amazon bestselling author of WHITE ROSE, BLACK FOREST, and THE MAUREEN RITTER series, set in Ireland in the 19th century. Download it and discover Eoin Dempsey’s books today.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2024
171 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Dempsey
37 books1,037 followersEoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 13, 2024
The Garden of Ireland was an exciting and fast read! Maura and Joseph, the 2 key characters, are seemingly real people and tug at the heart with sympathy and affection. Eoin has a knack for doing that.
Underlying the story surrounding the fictional characters is a portrayal of what I believe life was like for the Irish people in the late 1800’s.
To say that the Irish people were aggressively brutalized by the English monarchy for 800 years causes many people to yawn and move on to something else. There were, and are, many peoples who have been abused and inhumanly treated throughout the ages. Having ancestral ties to one such people makes the history and events personal.
The Irish are generally a loving people who have struggled for survival and through that struggle have been seen as less than loving. Attempting to survive and protect loved ones will do that. The general English population are a loving people. The English monarchy has been brutal in many countries – most notably Ireland. The U.S. had the benefit of the Atlantic Ocean separating it from England which allowed for the U.S to gain independence. The English simply could not control a growing nation so far away.
Ireland is a small island and a short boat ride away from England. It was strategically populated with enough English “lords” to control and abuse the Irish for 800 years! Although generally a good people, the English have been loyal to the “crown” and were rewarded for that. They owned ALL land in Ireland. The Irish could not own land, grow their own crops, hunt, or fish on the soil they called home for thousands of years!
The story in the book is only a couple of decades after the Irish potato famine when an estimated million Irish people died of starvation and another 1 to 2 million emigrated from the island to escape starvation and poverty, including the Kennedy family. The English shipped what crops were growing in Ireland to feed the English, leaving the Irish to starve.
Eoin has captured the Irish history in the late 1800’s remarkably accurately AND it was done through his own family history.
Thank you, Eoin!
Underlying the story surrounding the fictional characters is a portrayal of what I believe life was like for the Irish people in the late 1800’s.
To say that the Irish people were aggressively brutalized by the English monarchy for 800 years causes many people to yawn and move on to something else. There were, and are, many peoples who have been abused and inhumanly treated throughout the ages. Having ancestral ties to one such people makes the history and events personal.
The Irish are generally a loving people who have struggled for survival and through that struggle have been seen as less than loving. Attempting to survive and protect loved ones will do that. The general English population are a loving people. The English monarchy has been brutal in many countries – most notably Ireland. The U.S. had the benefit of the Atlantic Ocean separating it from England which allowed for the U.S to gain independence. The English simply could not control a growing nation so far away.
Ireland is a small island and a short boat ride away from England. It was strategically populated with enough English “lords” to control and abuse the Irish for 800 years! Although generally a good people, the English have been loyal to the “crown” and were rewarded for that. They owned ALL land in Ireland. The Irish could not own land, grow their own crops, hunt, or fish on the soil they called home for thousands of years!
The story in the book is only a couple of decades after the Irish potato famine when an estimated million Irish people died of starvation and another 1 to 2 million emigrated from the island to escape starvation and poverty, including the Kennedy family. The English shipped what crops were growing in Ireland to feed the English, leaving the Irish to starve.
Eoin has captured the Irish history in the late 1800’s remarkably accurately AND it was done through his own family history.
Thank you, Eoin!
February 11, 2024
THE GARDEN OF IRELAND (THE POWERSCOURT SERIES BOOK 2)
The reader was transported to rural Ireland in 1879 in Book 1 during the Irish land wars,
which was 30 years after the famous potato famine in Ireland.
The Irish lands are owned by Protestants, who were deeded them by The English Crown,
and then leased them to Catholic tenant farmers.
The land once belonged to these Catholic tenant farmer’s ancestors.
After the land wars began, the two main characters, Maura and Joseph, lives diverge even while they are in love. The cause of the divergence is due to Joseph in book #1 being jailed with other Catholic Irish resisters who revolted against the police, while Maura’s family was evicted and moved in with Joseph’s family for shelter.
Eoin uses his pen to bring you as an observer the main character’s trials and tribulations.
Book 1 developed the characters who remain the main characters in Book 2.
Book 2 is a page turner from the onset. The story evolves for each character having separate paths on to being united in the end. This is another great historical novel by Eoin with a rich description of Irish life under English rule in the 19th century.
This is the second book of a series, and I hope the story continues into the 20th century when Ireland becomes free of British rule. I want to know what happens to the main characters, Joseph and Maura, in future books.
Eoin has written many great historical novels, and if you like this book,
look up Eoin’s other books as they are all terrific.
The reader was transported to rural Ireland in 1879 in Book 1 during the Irish land wars,
which was 30 years after the famous potato famine in Ireland.
The Irish lands are owned by Protestants, who were deeded them by The English Crown,
and then leased them to Catholic tenant farmers.
The land once belonged to these Catholic tenant farmer’s ancestors.
After the land wars began, the two main characters, Maura and Joseph, lives diverge even while they are in love. The cause of the divergence is due to Joseph in book #1 being jailed with other Catholic Irish resisters who revolted against the police, while Maura’s family was evicted and moved in with Joseph’s family for shelter.
Eoin uses his pen to bring you as an observer the main character’s trials and tribulations.
Book 1 developed the characters who remain the main characters in Book 2.
Book 2 is a page turner from the onset. The story evolves for each character having separate paths on to being united in the end. This is another great historical novel by Eoin with a rich description of Irish life under English rule in the 19th century.
This is the second book of a series, and I hope the story continues into the 20th century when Ireland becomes free of British rule. I want to know what happens to the main characters, Joseph and Maura, in future books.
Eoin has written many great historical novels, and if you like this book,
look up Eoin’s other books as they are all terrific.
February 1, 2024
The waves of the Irish Sea are crashing loud, and harbor lights twinkle to a fade as a ship heads for Liverpool in 1879. Aboard the ship stands one of the main characters. He is a young man wrongly incarcerated and has just made his escape from prison. Book #2 of this series begins with mixed emotions, so there is an aura of exhilaration for the man’s newly found freedom, yet there remains a background of fear for his endurance.
Best-selling author Eoin Dempsey unwinds some of the trials, relationships, and compassion experienced by the Irish people as a result of the land wars. Plots flip back and forth from a resistance fighter to the woman he loves. These two main characters share the spotlight as their travels, moral dilemmas, and experiences are brought to light.
We become connected to the appealing characters thanks to the author’s vivid palette of descriptive phrases and crisp dialogue. Throughout the novel, it is noticeable that the dialogue as well as the historical references all ring true. Dempsey himself is a native of Dublin, which genuinely serves to enhance the narrative.
The plot is quick and loaded with twists and turns. The reader is continually held in shades of inspired suspense. There is a rhythm connecting passages that makes the reader flow swiftly from chapter to chapter. Tension and concern are constantly present. The Garden of Ireland holds the reader captive throughout a whirlwind ride from the first page to a very satisfying ending.
Best-selling author Eoin Dempsey unwinds some of the trials, relationships, and compassion experienced by the Irish people as a result of the land wars. Plots flip back and forth from a resistance fighter to the woman he loves. These two main characters share the spotlight as their travels, moral dilemmas, and experiences are brought to light.
We become connected to the appealing characters thanks to the author’s vivid palette of descriptive phrases and crisp dialogue. Throughout the novel, it is noticeable that the dialogue as well as the historical references all ring true. Dempsey himself is a native of Dublin, which genuinely serves to enhance the narrative.
The plot is quick and loaded with twists and turns. The reader is continually held in shades of inspired suspense. There is a rhythm connecting passages that makes the reader flow swiftly from chapter to chapter. Tension and concern are constantly present. The Garden of Ireland holds the reader captive throughout a whirlwind ride from the first page to a very satisfying ending.
February 10, 2024
I can't believe the beauty that came out of this story. The characters, the story, the scenery. Every bit of this book is wonderful. This is the second in this Powerscourt Series, book one, "The Saint of Impossible Causes". Eoin continues to write books that will make you fall in love with the characters that he creates. This story is based on a bit of his family history and he brings the wonders and tragedies of 19th century Ireland into your mind and your heart. Follow a young woman named Maura through her young adult life and her tenaciousness. She is resilient and a model for the women that are in stories that will live on in your heart. Maura will endure, and no one will stop her! No man, and no one with money.
I do want to start of with the fact that I am a beta reader for Eoin Dempsey and that I get Advanced Reader Copies (ARC) of his books.
I do want to start of with the fact that I am a beta reader for Eoin Dempsey and that I get Advanced Reader Copies (ARC) of his books.
March 3, 2024
Continuation of book one Saint of Impossible Causes
The story continues with Joseph freed from prison and getting involved with the Fenians who cause trouble for the English lords. Maura has a job at a big wealthy Lord's house along with her sister and mother. Maura is nurse to a little six year old who is sickly and mourning the loss of his previous nurse who died under strange circumstance. As Maura investigates what is going on at the big house her job becomes in danger as well as her life. Joseph takes the oath of the Fenians but draws the line at the taking of innocent life. Read the book to see how the story wraps up, will Joseph , a fugitive,be able to leave England and go back to Maura in Ireland?
The story continues with Joseph freed from prison and getting involved with the Fenians who cause trouble for the English lords. Maura has a job at a big wealthy Lord's house along with her sister and mother. Maura is nurse to a little six year old who is sickly and mourning the loss of his previous nurse who died under strange circumstance. As Maura investigates what is going on at the big house her job becomes in danger as well as her life. Joseph takes the oath of the Fenians but draws the line at the taking of innocent life. Read the book to see how the story wraps up, will Joseph , a fugitive,be able to leave England and go back to Maura in Ireland?
March 11, 2024
The next right thing
Doing the next right thing is always the right thing to do.
Thankfully, knowing the next right thing helps our characters to do the next right thing. It isn't always the most popular thing to do. It isn't always the safest thing to do. It isn't always the easiest thing to do.
But I love the moral standing that serves to keep Good people doing good things.
It is interesting to see how what appears to be love and concern is actually selfish and narcissistic.
It was a good read with a good ending. An expected ending but achieved in a twisting and turning sort of way.
Doing the next right thing is always the right thing to do.
Thankfully, knowing the next right thing helps our characters to do the next right thing. It isn't always the most popular thing to do. It isn't always the safest thing to do. It isn't always the easiest thing to do.
But I love the moral standing that serves to keep Good people doing good things.
It is interesting to see how what appears to be love and concern is actually selfish and narcissistic.
It was a good read with a good ending. An expected ending but achieved in a twisting and turning sort of way.
February 17, 2024
This was the second book in the Powerscourt series that continued the story of Maura and Joseph. Joseph has escaped to England and is aligned now with a group of Irish nationalists. There he is faced with decisions that will cause him great personal strife. In the meantime, Maura and her family are working at Powerscourt. When she discovers the evil stepmother is poisoning the youth Maura is in charge of, she must fight all odds to help him. Hope this series will continue!
May 9, 2024
This is the first time I've been disappointed by a Dempsey novel. I enjoyed most of it, but its last part seemed hurried, as if the author lost interest and wanted to finish the book as quickly as possible. What ensues is an unbelievable ending that does not tie up all the loose ends and leaves many questions. There was also great potential here for another novel that will continue to tell Ireland's fascinating history, along with the characters'. A lost opportunity.
September 18, 2024
I get so excited whenever I see Eoin Dempsey has a new book out. THE GARDEN OF IRELAND is the conclusion of the Powerscourt series and follows Mara and Joseph on their separate journeys as they try to find safety following the events of book one where Mara’s home was destroyed after being evicted for being unable to pay rising rent and Joseph is on the run after fleeing jail.
I enjoyed both narratives, with Mara working as a nurse and governess for a young boy whose family believes him to be an invalid. Their scenes together warmed my heart, and this had an interesting mystery component to it as well. Joseph’s story in Manchester was a bit darker, as he is forced to take up with Irish nationalists in order to find work and shelter, but quickly begins to question how far he is being asked to go for the cause. A heart wrenching and well written book. 5/5 stars.
I enjoyed both narratives, with Mara working as a nurse and governess for a young boy whose family believes him to be an invalid. Their scenes together warmed my heart, and this had an interesting mystery component to it as well. Joseph’s story in Manchester was a bit darker, as he is forced to take up with Irish nationalists in order to find work and shelter, but quickly begins to question how far he is being asked to go for the cause. A heart wrenching and well written book. 5/5 stars.
March 6, 2024
Beautiful tale
I absolutely loved this series and the drive of the characters. It is a love story and so much more. I highly recommend this series to learn of the struggle of the Irish people. I have read alot of Eoin's books and he is a very sensitive writer, taking you into a plot of the story. Looking forward to reading more of his books.
I absolutely loved this series and the drive of the characters. It is a love story and so much more. I highly recommend this series to learn of the struggle of the Irish people. I have read alot of Eoin's books and he is a very sensitive writer, taking you into a plot of the story. Looking forward to reading more of his books.
February 22, 2024
Love love love
What a wonderful thought out fabulous story of loss, love and love again. The family and people surrounding them are very real. There journey I feel was really felt in reality.. Don't know what else to say, it is a must read!
What a wonderful thought out fabulous story of loss, love and love again. The family and people surrounding them are very real. There journey I feel was really felt in reality.. Don't know what else to say, it is a must read!
March 8, 2024
What a beautiful book. Told the story of the struggles with living during that time in Ireland and England. I enjoyed every minute. I love this author's writing. I a very character driven ad he really brings his characters to life for me. Hoping for more books on Ireland.
March 16, 2024
A very moving story .
Soon returns to his Irish routes in this book and many brave men and women who fight for Irish idependece. The heroine of the story is Maura who never gives up her right for what she feels isright.We have another strong heroine at the heart of this.
Soon returns to his Irish routes in this book and many brave men and women who fight for Irish idependece. The heroine of the story is Maura who never gives up her right for what she feels isright.We have another strong heroine at the heart of this.
May 11, 2024
Well written
This author does a great job of keeping the suspense in each situation without dragging out the story. Much historical research is evident in the details of the Irish hardships.
This author does a great job of keeping the suspense in each situation without dragging out the story. Much historical research is evident in the details of the Irish hardships.
September 3, 2025
Quite an amazing story
Laura and Joseph had enough troubles to last a life time. That various quandaries in this story are well written. The characters were real and well written. This book would make a great movie. Well done.
Laura and Joseph had enough troubles to last a life time. That various quandaries in this story are well written. The characters were real and well written. This book would make a great movie. Well done.
February 29, 2024
The Garden of Ireland
Was a great read. I have read all of Eoin Dempsey’s books and enjoyed them all. I do not know what is next, but I hope it is soon!
Was a great read. I have read all of Eoin Dempsey’s books and enjoyed them all. I do not know what is next, but I hope it is soon!
March 8, 2024
I believe the author dedicated this book to his mother. She must be so proud! Great story, history lesson etc. Can’t wait for what’s next!
March 13, 2024
Loved this series!! Great story of the struggles of the Irish people with such great characters !!
March 24, 2024
Loved this series...after surviving the devastating famine, the Irish continued to struggle for land ownership amid English property owners gouging them with outragious rents in the late 1800's.
August 12, 2024
Post famine continued
A continued story of Irish families surviving after the famine and their dealing with the greedy and unkind English landowners.
A continued story of Irish families surviving after the famine and their dealing with the greedy and unkind English landowners.
December 19, 2024
great story
I could not put it down. It was a great read It showed determination and bravery Sad how the Irish were treated
I could not put it down. It was a great read It showed determination and bravery Sad how the Irish were treated
August 21, 2025
Suspenseful
The Story came to a rapid end. Joseph’s coming back to Ireland happened without further explanation of his troubles in England.
The Story came to a rapid end. Joseph’s coming back to Ireland happened without further explanation of his troubles in England.
February 26, 2024
I’m a huge fan of this author and really enjoyed this book except the very last chapter. I got the impression the author was in a hurry to end the book. He should have expanded on what happened to our couple to get them to where they are at the end of the book. At least another chapter or two. Very disappointed ☹️
April 21, 2024
When Maura left her Irish childhood home a door was hanging from the hinges. It reminded her of a page being ripped out of the book of her life. I think that metaphor will stick with me for a long time. It was such an exciting read...I was constantly hoping for the best for the struggling Irish families.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews