Ireland , 1835 – the author’s remote ancestral home, Arranmore Island, languishes on the eve of famine. Meanwhile, carved from the Illinois prairie, a small settlement rises, eventually becoming his boyhood hometown, Mundelein. Fadó (f’doe), Irish for "long ago," chronicles the surprising confluence of these two cultures. Generations of family heritage, immigration, triumph, and tragedy reveal fascinating ties to a much bigger world. Resonating throughout is the story of a son eager to please his father and prove his worth.
"A thoughtful, well-documented account by a gifted writer who breathes life and personal meaning into each story. History told with humor, grace, and page-turning enthusiasm. A tremendous achievement and full of surprises. I couldn’t set it down!”
President, Historical Society of the Fort Hill Country
& Curator, Fort Hill Heritage Museum, Mundelein, Il