The Pawnbroker's Reward

In Declan’ O'Rourke's meticulously researched literary debut, the story of the ua Buachalla family is woven into a powerful, multilayered work showing us the famine as it happened through the lens of a single town – Macroom, Co. Cork – and its environs.

1846. County Cork.

On the barren outskirts of Macroom, Pádraig and Cáit ua Buachalla face a perilous winter after the failure of their blighted crop. At the centre of town, pawnbroker Cornelius Creed sees the poor in their darkest hour, his shop often being their last stop on the way to the workhouse.

Their stories, and those of many others, are woven into a powerful account of the Great Famine’s grip on a single Irish town. At once epic and intimate, this meticulously researched, multi-layered work from one of Ireland’s best-loved songwriter’s delivers a rich, lyrical debut based on real lives and events from this defining moment in Ireland’s history.

'A powerful and gripping piece of writing from a born storyteller.' Joseph O’Connor

‘The narrative is just like his singing voice, full of powerful strength and compassion.’ Michael Harding

‘Lucid, lovingly-written and lyrical.’ Professor Christine Kinealy

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.