Irish Convict
Out of Print
Published 2019 by John Douglas Publishing. Softcover. 155 x 230mm. 744 pages! It’s a big one. ISBN 978-0-9941059-2-9
In the late 1950s the remnant walls of a little rammed earth farm shed on the outskirts of Nelson were finally demolished. The door and two small windows appeared to come from an old sailing ship. Locals knew it as the home of an Irish settler and his Maori wife but their names are no longer remembered. Investigations for this amazing and true story started here.
In the early 1800’s Irish convicts were often sent to Australia, many escaped to New Zealand. Some were adopted by Nga Puhi at Hokianga and others met and fought with Te Rauparaha and his Ngati Toarangatira in Marlborough. They also joined whalers on Kapiti Island.
The story of the Irish Convict is true history told in a novel, woven together by a fictional character; Maurice O’Brien. It follows his adventures from Ireland to New Zealand via Australia.
This incredible story has been adapted into a series of books; The Irish Convict series by Tom O’Connor and published by Kirsten Wilson Publishing. It’s the same tale of Maurice O’Brien except updated with additional chapters and printed in manageable size books.
the Adapted Irish Convict series
Lost Sons
Maurice O’Brien is an Irish youth struggling the transition from boyhood to manhood in Ireland in the 1830’s. When trouble finds him, he lands in court and faces the sentence for convicts; transportation to Botany Bay – the other side of the world.
Outback Shepherds
Maurice is an Irish convict in the New South Wales penal colony – a wild and dangerous place. He grapples with despair and loneliness of the outback. Escape is almost impossible, but those who do find themselves in the land of heathen savages.
New Zealand
When Maurice O’Brien reaches New Zealand he is a mutineer and an escaped convict. Surviving in the so-called land of heathen savages and cannibals is as difficult and dangerous as New South Wales. He now has to settle in a new land and culture.
Homeward Bound
In spite of the dangers of sailing small boats around Cook Strait and surviving a gunfight with one of the most ferocious musket armed Maori tribes, Maurice O’Brien must decide if New Zealand is his home or return to his homeland of Ireland.
Troubled Waters
Revisiting Ireland, Maurice O’Brien is grief stricken at the state of his homeland following the devastation of the potato famine. Disease starvation and forced immigration have depopulated many parts of the country. His family no longer exists.