In the Dublin of 1922 with Civil War about to break out, working class Annie
Riley is thrilled to win a scholarship to Eccles Street Convent School.
A little frozen out by her old friends, yet not wholly accepted by all of her
new classmates, she is pleased to be befriended by Susie O’Neill an easy-going
girl from a much more comfortable background.
Through Susie’s brother, Annie meets Peter Scanlon, a neighbour of the
O’Neill’s and a pupil at Belvedere college.
Having been radicalised by the execution of Kevin Barry, another Belvedere
pupil, Peter becomes involved with the rebels who oppose the Treaty with
Britain, and who are in conflict with the forces of the newly formed Irish Free
State.
As families and friends across the nation are forced to choose sides, and with
Peter’s conservative parents unaware of the dangerous role their son is
adopting, Annie and Peter find their friendship coming under strain.
Torn socially between her old friends and the exciting opportunities her new
school presents, Annie is further confused when fighting breaks out on the
streets of the city, with Irishmen now fighting other Irishmen.
When Peter comes under suspicion from the police he asks Annie to cover for
him. Reluctantly she provides him with an alibi, knowing that this also places
her at risk of arrest – and with it the loss of her vitally-important
scholarship.
While all of the friends try to enjoy normal life – engaging in after-school
classes, sports and concerts – there is no escaping the conflict that is
rocking the country.
Annie and Peter argue, but despite disagreeing with his secret activities as a
messenger for the Die Hards, Annie keeps his secret.
Annie’s father, who drives a hackney that is often used by government
officials, is targeted by the rebels, and Annie is kidnapped at gunpoint to
force her father to co-operate in an assassination bid.
Knowing that both sides have become increasingly brutal and ruthless, Peter is
horrified when he learns of the danger that Annie now faces.
Torn between his convictions and the debt that he owes to Annie, Peter has a
stark choice to make. And when he risks everything for his friend, Annie too
has to struggle with loyalty and the notion of informing on a friend, when
other peoples’ lives are in the balance.
About the Author.
Brian Gallagher was born in Dublin. He is a full-time writer whose plays and
short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain and Canada. He has written
extensively for radio and television and is one of the scriptwriters on RTE’s
long-running drama Fair City. He collaborated with composer Shaun Purcell on
the musical, Larkin, for which he wrote the book and lyrics, and on Winds of
Change for RTE’s Lyric FM. His latest show is Whiskey in the Jar, a musical for
which he wrote the book and lyrics, with music by Dave ‘Doc’ O’Connor. His
novels Invincible, Flight, Payback and Pursuit have won widespread praise, and
he is currently working on a new novel. Outside of writing his interests
include travel, tennis, music and inland waterways. He lives with his family in
Dublin.”