Niki Phillips

The Liffey Near and Far Niki Phillips

In this third volume of the Butler family saga, most members of the family still live in Riverside House beside the River Liffey. One branch of the family now lives in Scotland, not far from Edinburgh. The story opens with an unlikely terrorist planning a massacre to take place in the Dublin Concert Hall. It moves to a Hogmanay party in Scotland and from there follows the stories of those present across a series of dramatic events, which include a plane crash, The First Gulf War, sheep stealing, a wedding and, finally, a 100th birthday party at Riverside House. There are joyous moments and tragic moments, with tears and laughter, and, throughout, courage and endurance helping survival through all difficulties and adversities. There are also ghostly appearances giving unexpected drama to some events and a slightly mysterious element which adds a new dimension to the story.