Children of the Dead End

This autobiographical novel follows Dermod Flynn, an itinerant worker navigating life in early 20th-century Ireland and Scotland, as told in Children of the Dead End.

First published in 1914, Children of the Dead End gained significant popularity and influence upon its release. This autobiographical novel offers a captivating glimpse into the past, presenting vivid descriptions of the lives of itinerant workers from a century ago. It serves as a testament to the struggles and resilience of those who lived during that time.

Drawing from personal experiences in Ireland and Scotland during the early 1900s, Patrick MacGill's debut novel introduces readers to Dermod Flynn, a spirited and independent young man. Earning a meager living as a farmhand in Donegal and County Tyrone, Dermod eventually joins a potato-picking squad in Scotland. His journey leads him to the harsh realities of life on the road, where he labors in unforgiving conditions, ultimately finding work on the hydro-electric scheme at Kinlochleven, one of the most significant engineering projects of its era.

As Dermod navigates these challenges, he discovers his passion for reading and writing, which ultimately draws him to Fleet Street, where he briefly works as a journalist. Children of the Dead End is populated with remarkable characters and provides a gritty, unflinching portrayal of the near-slavery conditions faced by the impoverished in early twentieth-century Scotland and Ireland.