Me Grandfather: A Graphic Picture of Rural Ireland

Journey Back to a Vanished World of Irish Country Life.

Experience the rugged beauty and inviting charm of early 20th-century County Leitrim in this captivating memoir by Brother Kilian Beirne.

Me Grandfather: A Graphic Picture of Rural Ireland is more than a memoir—it is a time capsule. Originally published in 1969, this cherished work offers a rare, first-hand account of life near Drumshanbo during a pivotal era in Irish history.

Brother Kilian brings to life the daily rhythms of rural Leitrim through personal reminiscence and richly drawn portraits of his grandfather. Around the family hearth, friends and relations gather to share stories that reveal a community shaped by faith, family, hard work, and the land.

Why Readers Treasure This Book:

• A Living Portrait of Rural Ireland: True to its subtitle, the book vividly recreates the daily rhythms of country life—from seasonal farm work and local customs to the conversations shared around the fire.
• An Authentic Irish Storyteller: Brother Kilian writes with the engaging cadence of the Irish oral tradition, preserving the memories of a generation that has passed.
• A Window into a Vanished Way of Life: Whether your family came from Leitrim or you’re simply fascinated by Ireland’s social history, this memoir offers an intimate glimpse of rural life before modernisation transformed the countryside.

About the Author: Brother Kilian (Joseph) Beirne, C.S.C., (1896–1978) was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, before emigrating to the United States to join the Brothers of Holy Cross. A dedicated educator and author, he spent his life teaching across America while preserving the memories of the rural Ireland of his youth. Me Grandfather is his enduring tribute to the heritage that shaped him.

Rediscover the heart of the Old Country. Add Me Grandfather to your collection today.