The St. Patrick's Day Shillelagh

Author: Janet Nolan

Between 1845 and 1851, thousands upon thousands of Irish men, women and children died when the potato crop failed. Fergus and his family emigrate to the U.S. during this time. On his last night before departing, he cuts a branch from a favorite blackthorn tree in order to take a piece of Ireland with him. The branch is whittled into a shillelagh, a walking stick. Within this shillelagh lies the story of the Fergus's family. Every St. Patrick's Day, the story of their flight from Ireland is told. Fergus grows up and gives the shillelagh to his son Declan. In turn, Declan gives it to his son Emmet, and so it goes, on through the generations. The object becomes an heirloom and continues to be handed down with poetic stories told by family elders. Realistic illustrations detail the passage of time from generation to generation. This is a great introduction to Irish immigration and concepts of family traditions. Teachers in grades 2-4 may find this especially useful when introducing a unit on immigration.

The St. Patrick's Day Shillelagh

Year Released: 2004

Grades K-4