Briarhill to Brooklyn: An Irish Family's Journey to Freedom and Opportunity

by Jack Bodkin

In Amazon’s # 7 Best Seller in Historical British and Irish Literature (12/9/22), Briarhill to Brooklyn debut author Jack Bodkin, tells the story of an Irish family’s 1848 journey to freedom and opportunity.Publishers Weekly BookLife—Editor’s Pick Review—“The memorable account of an Irish family’s journey to America, lovingly told.”The Journal of the New York Irish History Roundtable Review by Brendan O’Hagan— Briarhill to Brooklyn “…addresses many subjects relevant to students of Irish history in New York, such as their dangerous crossing on a coffin ship, the role of Irish immigrants in the Civil War, and the transnational networks of support that immigrants created.…a fast paced story…may inspire readers to imagine the resilience, fears, and hopes of their own immigrant ancestors.”The journey begins in Galway…For three years a mysterious potato blight devastated Ireland’s clacháns, townlands, and cities. Nearly a million died. Was it the prospect of starvation, the snows of Black ’47, or the fear of typhus that made the Bodkins leave? Or was it the dream of America’s freedom and opportunity that drove the family from Galway onto an Irish coffin ship known as Cushlamachree? Their destination was Brooklyn. An unimaginable hurdle confronted the seven young Bodkin siblings, only days after docking in New York. Would the “fever” get them, too? But they managed to survive into adulthood as they were led by their two oldest brothers—Dominic and Martin. Dominic—a fledgling surgeon on the Alabama battlefields of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely—spends thirty-five years delivering and caring for thousands of Brooklyn babies. Martin—a Civil War veteran, and later an ironmonger with his own shop—ultimately is the progenitor of a large family of New York Bodkins. Briarhill to Brooklyn , is a novel, grounded in facts, in which Jack Bodkin tells the story of his Irish Catholic family’s 1848 migration from County Galway, Ireland, to Brooklyn, New York, in the era of the Irish Potato Famine.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Irish Literature, Fiction

438 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2021

About the author

Jack Bodkin was born in Brooklyn in 1947 and grew up in Merrick on Long Island. He is a retired certified public accountant and Briarhill to Brooklyn is his first book. Jack lives in Wheeling, West Virginia with his wife, Christine. To find out more visit http://briarhilltobrooklyn.com

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book!

My Irish grandparents came to Brooklyn in the 1880's so I felt like I was looking at Brooklyn through their eyes. I grew up in Brooklyn and could appreciate the history of my hometown. I can appreciate the time the author spent tracing the family, since I too have spent many hours on Ancestry over the years.
I was so impressed by the writing. The style of writing is my favorite, short chapters and concise writing. Excellent!
I think anyone with Irish ancestors would love this story.
Thanks for a great read!

[Tom Devlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an ok read but tended to jump around a lot. It becomes mostly about Dominic, while other family members die without barely a mention. I thought it would deal more with the struggles and emotions of immigrating, but that seemed glossed over.

[Eric Parrott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I found Briarhill to Brooklyn to be a particularly slow and tedious read.
While the basis of the story seems intriguing enough (in the era of the Great Potato Famine, a large Irish family abandon their destitute home village and make the voyage to America in pursuit of the American Dream), it just lacked any sort of excitement or emotion. Everything was written matter-of-factly, and I had a hard time remaining invested in the story. Not to say that it doesn't have its moments. The weight of the sacrifices made by the parents to give their children a better life was not lost on me, nor was the exceptional lives the children went on to lead once they had reached America. I just wish Bodkin had taken some more creative liberties to fatten up the story with some excitement and drama. If you are looking for something akin to the Kingsbridge Series, look elsewhere. If you are more interested in learning about the plight of the Irish in the mid 19th century, and one account of the many immigration experiences of the time, maybe this is for you.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow – what a great read! If you’ve ever heard stories about your own family’s history or spent time on your family tree, then you will appreciate debut novelist Jack Bodkin’s Briarhill to Brooklyn. What began as a bit of research into his family’s migration from Ireland to America has turned into a thoroughly researched and richly imagined tale of seven siblings who survive passage on a coffin ship only to find themselves orphaned and penniless months after their arrival in New York. Each of the siblings has a voice in this novel, as we follow them from their travels on the Cushlamachree, through their first days adrift in America, to the battlefields of the Civil War and beyond. From suffering to survival, uncertainty to opportunity, and determination to dedication, the Bodkins make their way in the New World, and you will enjoy being along for the journey.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical fiction saga of a 19th century Irish family that emigrates to America. Set in fledgling Brooklyn, the novel details the various lives of the Bodkin clan into the 20th century. Somewhat idealized, at over 500 pages, I began to tire of this belabored story.

[Bob Melia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific read. I normally read only non-fiction, but I make a few exceptions along the way…this was one of them. Historical fiction can be a wonderful opportunity to “feel” what the people in the story might have experienced. “An Gorta Mor”, “The Great Hunger” in Ireland was an incredibly difficult time for the Irish. Bodkin does a nice job of weaving in the particulars associated with this event. As an Irish American I understood, at a deeper level, just how horrific this time period was on the Irish people. My relatives emigrated from adjacent County Mayo shortly after the peak of the famine. It is a story most Irish Americans can relate to. Research has shown that the term “Coffin Ships” was not used until closer to the 20th century, however, Bodkin needs to, and does, make use of the term to give his 21st century readers perspective.

I recommend reading this work and I will tell you that parts of it tugged at my soul while thinking of what my ancestors went through to arrive in New York.

[Maryelizabeth Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing research.

The numerous trials and heartache of a Irish family coming to America searching for survival and peace for their family is depicted clearly by the author.From the start the author clearly sets the tone for the reason for their departure.So many stories of Ireland are conveniently void of the truth and core of the long long suffering of Ireland.

[Cindy Hanbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being of Irish descent, I enjoyed this book. I agree with one reader that parts were somewhat idealized and I had trouble keeping track of the different characters, who married who, which kids belonged to who, but all in all I found it an interesting read.

[Julie V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and nicely brought around to a satisfying conclusion. I found the writing unrefined making it not as engaging as I would have wished for. I more appreciated the author’s writing in the Author’s Note

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes difficult to follow thread as jumped around timelines.

[Carla Capser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Briarhill to Brooklyn

This book tells the history of the Bodkin family who immigrated from Ireland to America. At times the book was hard for me to put down and at times it moved slowly due to the lengthy details. All in all it was a very good book sharing the history of a close knit family who endured, survived and overcame many struggles including the potato famine in Ireland, the long trip to America, the civil and world wars to name a few. What I loved about the story was how the family looked out for one another and the impact their love and especially that of their beloved Irish uncle had on their family for generations.

[Bridget Droes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at an Irish festival where I met the author. Jack was a very nice gentleman and I was very excited to read his book about his ancestors! The book itself wasn’t quite my taste but I knew that going in (I don’t typically read historical pieces). For me, it was quite slow and a bit confusing because it jumped timelines quite a bit. This took me a long time to get through. That being said, it was a lovely story. If you like historical nonfiction, definitely pick up this book. If you’re just dipping your toes into historical nonfiction, maybe start with something else and revisit this book later on.

[John D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Book

This is a very well written book. It is hard to believe it is the first book that the author has written.
The story has many ups and downs about an Irish family that moved from Galway Ireland in the late 1800's to Brooklyn New York. The details are amazing. You feel like you are with them on their journey and living their new life in the United States.
I highly recommend this book. It will be enjoyed especially if you have ancestors who came from Ireland.

[Barbara Palinkas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of an Irish families life crime Ireland to Brooklyn

I enjoyed this book very much! It was infused with the life of a family as they fled Ireland during the potato famine, and moved to Brooklyn NY. All the challenges, excitement, learning and growth from a totally different life in Ireland and their lives in America. It held my interest well and I couldn’t put it down!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It provided so much insight into the Irish immigrant experience. I wish I could go back in time and question my grandparents who came from Ireland to New York in the 1920s. It is so important to keep those stories alive and appreciate what our ancestors did for us so we can have a better life. Thank you, Jack Bodkin for a wonderful story and inspiration to put those stories in writing.

[Gail Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm of Irish descent and this book called to me since my parents met in a town in Pennsylvania called Briarhill. It made me wonder if the town had been named because of a community in Ireland. I never really found that out, but I loved reading one famiy's journey from Ireland to the States.

I know my family came over after the Famine, but it still gave me an idea of how the voyage was for them in the 1870's. I'm sure it was much the same as this.

[Patty K Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bolden revealed a beautiful summary of Irish willpower and for freedom and the opportunity to succeed.

The Bodkin family is an example of what many of us could write about our Irish ancestry. Bodkin brought the journey to life by sharing the struggles, the hard work and the success the Irish families witnessed. An excellent read.

[Mary Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Journey Worth Taking!

I have just finished the book, and it was great. It gives you great insight into what migrating to America must have been like. From the sadness and uncertainty of leaving their beloved homeland, to arriving in a bustling new country and forging a future out of nothing. It is a well written story of love and perseverance.

[joanne Tansey · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT READ.

If your parents or grandparents were from Ireland you will LOVE this book. I wish I had known before reading it was a true remembrance story. I would have liked to see a schematic of r
The family all grown with their ancestors. Enjoyed every minute of it. Hope you will too.

[Marjorie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

mesmerizing

I’m a real history reader, And this book was the best I’ve read in a Long time. Being from New York and born in Patchoque, learning about its beginning as well as Brooklin beginnings was just Wonderful, I read this book in 2 days and couldn’t put it down. A Fabulous Read.

[Khaki Lerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m 100% Irish from 2 100% parents and four grandparents that emigrated in the late 1880’s
(Healer, Stack, Carey & Eustace) I thoroughly enjoyed the book & the journey. The Irish are a sturdy lot who survived and thrived here eventually. Faced with racism and religious persecution we fought the fight and won. Great book

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as a favor, and skimmed a lot near the end. I definitely felt myself forgetting who was who and keeping everyone straight was a challenge. The Bodkin family immigration like millions of immigrants during this time in US history is sometimes very hard to comprehend. The undertaking, disease, hope, poverty and sheer bravery these people had to have is mind blowing.

[Michael A · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author and I grew up in the same Long Island town, and were altar boys together. I remember he as being kind and serious but I had no idea about his family history or that he aspired to be a writer.
I was thrilled to read “Briarhill to Brooklyn.” I found it to be a compelling read! Bravo, Jack!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh, my heart !

It took rereading, going back to read a chapter to make sense of some disjointed portions But it was worth it to have the Bodkin story fit together. This is not a book to be rushed
And just as my Lawler and Crowley Irish ancestors…. Our stories are amazing.

[Dermot Thornberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual style but brilliant

I am drawn to anything Irish and I was not disappointed. The saga had a bit of everything. Loved the 'informality' of the clergy. Is there another book in the future - certainly hope so.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed books about families and the generations that follow and follow all their lives. This is one of them and a true story at that. From Ireland to New York City--all the bravery of embarking on a new world and becoming successful and changing the world.

[Kevin H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Story

I picked this up because it reminded me of the journey my ancestors must have taken. I was delighted to find an entertaining and gripping story that connected me to my ancestors. Irish or not, this is well worth the read.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding

Outstanding. If you like history and are of Irish descent you will love this book. This book bring to life the story of the Irish in American. I could not put it down.

[Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great story of an Irish family’s immigration. Wow, life was hard in those days. So many people died so young. They came for a better life, which they got. We are all immigrants so there is so much to connect with our own family stories.

[Brenda Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning memoir

A family saga, against all odds. Surviving and thriving in America after leaving Ireland and the famine. Losing both parents within months of arriving in Brooklyn, each of the siblings find a successful life with the help of priest and others.