Malachy Sweeney’s debut novel captures the innocence of childhood adventure

A Donegal writer has just released his debut novel, following two previous books which helped document much about life in Donegal.

Malachy Sweeney’s book Those Precious Years captures life in 1960s Donegal through the eyes of its main character, Barry Byrne.

While Malachy stresses that it is by no means autobiographical, his own upbringing gave him a wealth of experience from which he could draw.

“I suppose it could best be described as historic fiction,” he said. 

“The story is set in 1960s County Donegal and captures the adventures of a boy with an inquiring mind who has nature’s playground on his doorstep, in the countryside by the sea.

“These childhood adventures of Barry Byrne capture a mood of innocence and paint a vivid picture of a way of life that has faded into the past. 

“There are the shortcuts home from school, the adventures at the river and sea, sleighing bellyflapper downhill, seeking the forbidden fruit in that orchard and other escapades with his friends and neighbours.”

Barry’s interaction with other people tells us a lot about his view of the world around him as his life experience develops and grows. 

We join him in the opening chapter as he takes the road to school for the first time; an unwilling scholar who is leaving the haven of home and entering the wider world. Barry is being hurried along by his big sister who plays a big part in his young life. 

Malachy said: “His sister Susan is often there to join the fun or to chide her young brother with a comment or a telling look. 

“In this new world of challenges, fun and learning, outside his family circle, Barry soon makes new friends, and together they bring us into that youthful world of magic and discovery.”

It’s an old adage that you can’t judge a book by its cover. But in this case, the book most definitely lives up to the promises of the wraparound cover picture of Those Precious Years. 

Indeed, it evokes a strong sense of innocence and of place that is almost tangible. The cover  shows a mature, natural forest with a leaf-covered path running through the carpet of wild garlic.

The scene will be particularly familiar to those who visit the beautiful Eastát Mhic Manusa, (Rossylongan Forest) on the outskirts of Donegal Town.

On the front, two children are fishing for crabs on a rocky shoreline. The back cover depicts three children walking along the forest path, and one really has a sense of being in the forest, taking in all the wonders of nature, the birdsong, the smell of the wild garlic, the gentle lapping of water on the nearby shore. 

It certainly sets the reader up very nicely for the journey through ‘Those Precious Years.’

About The Author

A native of Donegal Town, Malachy Sweeney is the author of two previous books. A Troubled Time gave an account of life in Donegal through the War of Independence, and The Sands of Time traced the history of Donegal Town and its environs.

Malachy has also contributed short stories to Wild Atlantic Words, published by Meas Writers, and is a founding member of Tirconaill Writers. His creative writing conveys a deep sense of place, a love of the sea, and Malachy’s interest in canoeing, sailing and fishing. It also draws on his earlier years working in building sites in the north west of Ireland, Galway, Dublin and England.

Malachy is best known to many people in the wider Donegal Town area for his time as a post primary school teacher. He began his teaching career in Dublin before taking up a post in the Abbey Vocational School in Donegal Town, where he remained until his retirement. 

In later years, he was a Director of the Donegal Town Community Chamber, and his nautical interest drew him to the Donegal Town Enterprise Scheme Ltd (Donegal Bay Waterbus), where he served as Chairman for a number of years. He is married to Goretti and lives beside Donegal Bay.

Those Precious Years will be available in Bookmark, Letterkenny; The Four Four Masters, Donegal Town; A Novel Idea, Ballyshannon, and on Amazon.

A delightful read and a great addition to any book shelf, it would also make a very special gift for Donegal people at home or abroad this Christmas.