The Castles of Ann Lynch

Born into a loving family in Dublintown at the end of Ireland’s Hungry Times, Ann Lynch lives on the edge of poverty. When tragedy strikes, Ann’s world is turned upside down. She and her widowed mother are forced into homelessness. It is then that Ann discovers that kindness and use of her beguiling charm brings her the needed coins and scraps of food essential for survival. But soon, collecting farthings, haypennies, and crumbs becomes difficult, and a decision must be made that changes her life forever.Initially, Ann believes the North Dublin Workhouse to be a palace, resembling Dublin Castle, the citadel of protection, strength, and refuge she took pleasure in viewing just outside her window when she was young. But instead, she, like all its residents, experience the workhouse’s inhumanity, ruthlessness, and brutality.Even so, Ann is able to rise above the bleakness. She learns to read, make friends, and brings a gentle solace to those waiting for death within the shadows of the workhouse’s infirmary.At fourteen, now orphaned, she leaves the workhouse and sails with her best friend across the tumultuous Atlantic, a small piece of crumpled paper in hand with the address of a family living in a place called Michigan, America, —a place within a vast land which promises opportunities and the prospect of fulfilling her greatest desire—a real home.After all, isn’t it true that everyone in America is rich and has limitless opportunity, that everyone lives in a beautiful, grand home and no one in America ever goes hungry?Inspired by a true story. Read more