Maggie O'Farrell: Uncovering Family History Through Fiction

Uncovering Family History Through Fiction

Maggie O'Farrell's journey into her family's past began with a childhood myth about an ancestor who worked on the first maps of Ireland. Years later, a hand-drawn map and an old photograph led her to discover the truth about her great-great-grandfather's role in the Ordnance Survey.

The Mapper's Story

O'Farrell's ancestor was a labourer and translator who worked on mapping divisions in Ireland during the aftermath of the great famine. His task was to ensure that the changes caused by the disaster were marked on the new post-famine versions of Ireland's maps.

A Window into the Past

• The photograph showed O'Farrell's great-great-grandfather with a child on his knee, wearing a worn jacket and a low-brimmed hat.
• A hand-drawn map, beautifully rendered in coloured inks, revealed a tiny medallion with a red-jacketed soldier and O'Farrell's ancestor.
• The discovery sparked O'Farrell's curiosity about her family's history and the history of Ireland.

The Impact of the Great Famine

The great famine, which occurred between 1846 and 1852, had a devastating impact on Ireland, with over a million people dying of starvation or famine-related disease, and another million forced to emigrate.

Fiction as a Tool for Discovery

O'Farrell believes that fiction comes from what you don't know, and her book 'Land' is a testament to this. The novel tells the story of a man, Tomás, and his family, striving to emerge from the long shadow of the great famine.

A New Perspective

O'Farrell's book offers a new perspective on the history of Ireland and the impact of the great famine on families. Her research and writing have shed light on a little-known aspect of her family's history and the history of Ireland.