Silent People

Silent People is the second book in a trilogy by Walter Macken. It is the story of, Dualta, a young educated man from Connacht, and life at the time of the famine in Ireland. It is the story of how a young man is drawn into the political unrest of his times because of the degradation of the tyrannical landlords and the injustices that were inescapable. This book , and this trilogy of books, helps one understand the history and events that fueled the fight for freedom in Ireland.

Walter Macken, a native of Galway, was born in 1915 and died in his home city at the age of 51. A writer, an actor and a playwright, he is perhaps best known for his novel "Flight of the Doves" - which was adapted for the cinema - and his "Irish Trilogy". "The Silent People" is the second book of this trilogy, and is set in the early to mid Nineteenth Century. Although the book itself is a work of fiction, many of the 'background' events are true - for example, the Great Famine (1845 - 1849) and the actions of Daniel O'Connell. The book follows the life of Dualta Duane and opens in 1826. Dualta, orphaned when his own family died in the 1817 famine, is seventeen and lives with his Uncle Marcus. They live in small village, in the Corrib Country of County Galway. However, after Dualta topples the landlord's son from his horse in anger, the pair are forced to separate and flee. The consequences of staying would, most likely, have seen Dualta beaten to within an inch of his life and transported to Australia. Managing to escape those hunting him, Dualta is briefly sheltered by a man called Mairtin and later travels onwards with Mairtin's son, Paidi. Together, they move southwards and seek work as diggers. Dualta, promising Paidi he'll keep in touch, is hired by a man called Cuan McCarthy. His work, however, doesn't involve digging and the next time he sees Paidi the circumstances are less than happy. As the story progresses, several further characters are introduced. The most significant, to Dualta at least, is Una - the daughter of an English landlord called Wilcocks. While her father had been a Protestant, her mother had been an Irish Catholic who converted to marry him. It would have been a very unusual marriage in those times - however, Una's mother died when she was thirteen. Daniel O'Connell, a hugely important figure in Irish history and responsible for bringing Catholic Emancipation, also appears in this book. There's an implication that Dualta may be a descendent of Dominick MacMahon. Dominick was the central character of "Seek the Fair Land", the first book of this Trilogy. (The third is called "The Scorching Wind", and is set in the early 1900s). Although a trilogy, it isn't necessary to read the books in order - though if you enjoy one of them, you'll probably enjoy all three. "The Silent People" isn't always a cheerful book - it's set during a very difficult period of Ireland's history. However, it's a book I would highly recommend - I've always found anything Walter Macken has written very easy to read.

Walter Macken brings the early 1800s in Ireland alive. The poverty, deprivation, hopelessness...and eternal spirit of the Irish are very real. He is vivid in his descriptions and I felt the horror of the second crop failure as if I were standing in the field discovering it. If you are of Irish descent and had forbears who came to America at this time, this is a must read for you. Their courage left me awed.