The Family Mosaic
An extraordinary Irish immigrant saga based on true events
A new life is built with blood, sweat and a song.
"The Family Mosaic" is a sweeping historical fiction novel inspired by the extraordinary life of Peter O’Reilly, a charming young Irishman who traded the security of home for the promise of adventure in America.
Peter O'Reilly
Based on the life of my great-great-grandfather, the novel spans more than a decade and thousands of miles, following Peter from Ireland to Boston and across the railroad camps of Texas.
At the age of 19, Peter left the rolling hills of Ireland behind as a stowaway on a ship to Boston. He carried with him little more than the photos of his siblings, impossible dreams, and an unwavering belief that America offers every man a chance to build a better life.
Irish Poet
When Peter arrived on the shores of Boston in 1869, the reality of the New World dealt him a swift and brutal blow. Amid hardship and heartache, he found strength in friendship and a love that anchored him. He was determined to build a future for his family, but it demanded a price.
Peter refused to be broken. With a quick joke on his lips, a lighthearted poem in his pocket, and a song to dull the ache of tragedy, he fought for his piece of the world.
Like a mosaic
Like a colorful mosaic, his life left vibrant, lasting pieces of love and strength that changed and shaped the Texas towns he lived in, and the heart of the large family he loved and raised.
In 2016, my husband, mom and boys and I visited Peter's childhood home in Mullingar.