The Pawnbroker's Reward

Declan ORourkes award-winning album Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine was released to critical acclaim in 2017. It illuminated an extraordinary series of eye-witness accounts including the story of Pdraig and Cit ua Buachalla. Four years on in Declans meticulously researched literary debut the story of the ua Buachalla family is woven into a powerful multilayered work showing us the famine as it happened through the lens of a single town Macroom Co. Cork and its environs. Local pawnbroker Cornelius Creed is at the juncture between the classes. Sensitive and empathetic he is a voice on behalf of the poor and his story is entwined with that of Pdraig ua Buachalla. Through these characters utilising local history and documentary evidence Declan creates a kaleidoscopic view of this defining moment in Irelands history.