Gives a vivid picture of an Irish navvy's life in England in the 1950's, mirroring the story of many who left Ireland without education or hope.

Originally published in 1964, this is Donall MacAmhlaigh's own story as a navvy or unskilled workman in post World War II England. Here is backbreaking, blister-making work, followed by pints of the black stuff in the Admiral Rodney and many other pubs. Workless and foodless days, the hardships of work camps, lonesome partings after trips home, periods of intense isolation and occasional bitterness-this is an honest account of how the average Irish labourer worked and lived in and contributed to the country of the ancient enemy.