The Climbing Boys

The plight of climbing boys, though familiar in a British context from Charles Kingsley’s The Water Babies, is rarely examined in an Irish setting. Its inclusion as the latest addition to the burgeoning historical fiction catalogue of the O’Brien Press moves the focus away from 20th century and Irish revolutionary themes that have been to the fore in children’s historical fiction during the decade of centenaries. Mention chimney sweeps in popular fiction and many people’s thoughts may first turn to Mary Poppins, but there are certainly no brush-twirling, happy chappies chim-chim-cheree-ing over the rooftops in Murtagh’s carefully-researched story of child labour and grinding poverty … blends fact and fiction to give readers a sense of the human hardships behind a trade that saw children aged as young as six ‘apprenticed’ to do the dirty work for master sweeps. By placing Scholar in the chimney of Daniel O’Connell’s house, Murtagh allows him a sweep’s-eye view on the social and political events of the 1830s, giving context to the moves to ban the employment of climbing boys … the depth of her research in newspapers, education commissioners’ reports, and almanacs is evident in the detail that colours the dry facts of history

-- Pet O'Connell, The Echo

I really enjoyed The Climbing Boys by Ann Murtagh … a great family, friendship and adventure story with a kind, brave young chimney sweep at its heart

-- Sarah Webb

A fast-paced historical adventure novel

-- Irish Independent, Sarah Webb

watch out for the amazing plot twist! I would recommend this book for people who are aged 9 and over - Bradán, aged 12, 6th Class Bayside SNS, Dublin 13

-- Seomra Ranga

makes for captivating reading

-- Children’s Books Ireland

This historical novel sheds light on the plight of child labourers in nineteenth-century Ireland. Hugh O’Dare is known as ‘Scholar’ because of his love of learning, in particular maths. But when his father injures his arm, Hugh has to leave school early and go out to work with his older brothers. The family are chimney sweepers, and the job of ‘climbing boys’ like Hugh, is a dangerous one, as shown by the recent death of a young boy who was caught in a chimney fire. The job brings Hugh into the home of the ‘Liberator’, Daniel O’Connell, the most famous man in Ireland. Hugh is in awe of this colossal figure whose political rallies he has heard so much about, and O’Connell takes a personal interest in the young chimney sweeper. When Hugh meets another climbing boy called Bert, who is in a much worse position than his own, with a cruel master who treats him badly, Hugh vows to help his new friend escape. Hugh is a wonderful narrator – his struggle between following his dream and wanting to do his best for his family is well drawn, and his desperate desire to save face in front of his friend Izzy is something young readers will relate to. The Fagin-like Darby Madden makes for an excellent villain ... the desperate flight of Hugh and his friends through the streets of Dublin, makes for captivating reading

-- childrensbooksireland.ie

Full of details of life in the streets of Dublin and of family life and poverty at the time ... this is an exciting and engaging story and Scholar’s adventures and sense of right and wrong come through strongly ... These historical stories published by O’Brien do bring an extra perspective to the genre of historical fiction, often highlighting other views of events and personalities in British history

-- Books for K