In the Shadow of the Ombú Tree

In 1864 Catherine Doyle of Wexford ran away from boarding school to elope to South America. This is the story of her new life set against the beauty and harshness of life on the pampas and the turbulence of civil war. Their lives however, are still touched by Ireland and by the age-old culture of the almost vanished indigenous people of Uruguay.

THE IRISH TIMES

This is a story about calf love, adult love, disillusionment and contentment. It is a tale of innocence, blind bravery, but above all else, about the dignity of man, or, in this instance, a woman. The woman in question is Catherine Doyle of Wexford who, in 1864 and when still at school, takes a shine to young John Cardiff and runs away with him to Uruguay. Thereafter they manage as best they can in a hostile environment. How they cope with this challenge is the essence of this fascinating story. Six children later they return home to Ireland to much changed circumstances. This is a tender tale, told in beautiful, unforced prose which vividly evokes the dirt, hardship and beauty of Uruguay. There is also occasional gentle humour. The author in reality is writing about his great-grandparents; the result is a beautiful work of fiction from a vivid imagination.

“ …(Ryan) is a born storyteller, a man sure of his subject, a colourful descriptive writer and a scholar well researched as to the lore and traditions of his historical time and place…salutations to Mr. Ryan on a very fine achievement indeed.” – VINCENT BANVILLE  “…a stunning new novel.” – FINGAL INDEPENDENT