James Maloney

The Girl with the Wicker Basket James Maloney

Girl with the Wicker Basket is a fictional novel set in 1879 in Co. Mayo, Ireland tells the story of Thomas Walsh a young man on his weekly journey delivering eggs with his donkey cart from the townland of Knockaun near Ballingar to Westport Quay for export to England. With him on this day is his friend Martin who has hitched a ride to Westport to catch the Steam Packet to England. On a previous journey, Thomas met Nora a girl from England living with her recently widowed aunt and is keen to see her again to further their relationship. On the way to Westport Quay with his friend Martin, Tom reminisces about their childhood together playing at the local smithy and listening to the storyteller in the town bars. They call at the house of the Castlebar priest Father Byrne, to collect a letter with contacts in England that might provide Martin with lodgings and a job. They witness an eviction, which has a profound effect on Tom. Tom's relationship with Nora develops until he hears bad news. Tom has his last drink with Martin before he leaves for England and what he had witnessed prompts him to join the Land League. Tom sees a vision and reports it to the priest. Later Tom is implicated in a Land league raid.