Through the Barricades
Through the Barricades
Author: Denise Deegan
Desc: She was willing to sacrifice everything for her country. He was willing to sacrifice everything for her 'Make a difference in the world ' are the last words Maggie Gilligan's father ever says to her. They form a legacy that she carries in her heart years later when at the age of fifteen she tries to better the lives of Dublin's largely forgotten poor. 'Don't go getting distracted now ' is what Daniel Healy's father says to him after seeing him talking to the same Maggie Gilligan. Daniel is more than distracted. He is intrigued. Never has he met anyone as dismissive argumentative . . . as downright infuriating. A dare from Maggie is all it takes. Daniel volunteers at a food kitchen. There his eyes are opened to the plight of the poor. It is 1913 and Dublin's striking workers have been locked out of their jobs. Their families are going hungry. Daniel and Maggie do what they can. Soon however Maggie realises that the only way to make a difference is to take up arms. The story of Maggie and Daniel is one of friendship love war and revolution of two people prepared to sacrifice their lives: Maggie for her country Daniel for Maggie. Their mutual sacrifices put them on opposite sides of a revolution. Can their love survive?