The Paradise Tree_A Novel
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Annie married John MacDonald and lived on a farm at Sand Bay near Long Point for many years. When John died, Annie moved to Gananoque. They had no children. Ellen remained in her little house at Long Point well into her nineties; she finally went to live with Annie in Gananoque, where she died in the 1930s. Lottie and Henry Palmer had a son who became a doctor. The house Charlie built for Emily at Long Point is still standing, as is the schoolhouse Daniel built. The white rose bush still blooms on land owned by Daniel’s descendants.
AUTHOR’S NOTE ON SONGS, FAIRY TALES, AND BIBLICAL QUOTATIONS
Most of the songs quoted in this novel are traditional Irish songs I learned in childhood. Full lyrics and Gaelic translations of these are now available online. In Chapter 1, the song “There is a distant isle” is quoted directly from page 65 of Caitlin Matthews’ The Elements of the Celtic Tradition. The long narrative passages quoted in Chapters 5 and 7 are from “The Story of Deirdre” and “Connla and the Fairy Maiden” in Joseph Jacobs’ Celtic Fairy Tales. Jacobs tried to preserve the tone of the Irish peasants who had originally told him the tales, which he then translated into English. I did not have the heart to alter them.
All quotations from Sacred Scripture are taken from the Douai-Rheims-Challoner translation; it is the one which Daniel and his family would have used.
AUTHOR’S NOTE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CATHOLIC TRADITION IN THE LIVES OF IRISH IMMIGRANTS
In spite of many attempts by the British government to convert the Irish people to Protestant Christianity, they clung to their Catholic religion for over five hundred years. The harshest penal laws failed to turn the Irish Catholics away from the faith of the ancestors, the faith given to them by St. Patrick. Daniel O’Connor and Brigit Trainor were among many Irish immigrants who brought to the New World an unflinching loyalty to the Church founded by Jesus Christ and His Apostles. By careful observance of the laws of the Church and by following the liturgical calendar, they made their religion a vibrant part of their daily life, although there were few priests and parishes. Feast days were observed with joy and prayerful reflection, especially feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus. That is why it was important to Daniel to die on a feast of Our Lady, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. The Annunciation, March 25, the celebration of the Angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary in order to tell her that she was to be the Mother of the Son of God, is also mentioned. Mary Ann dies on the Vigil of that feast day, which would have signaled to the grieving parents that Our Lady herself was taking the little one to Heaven. Theirs was a simple faith, a peasant faith, an ancient faith, and, as Daniel sought to show his children, a faith to engage the intellect as well.
Some have questioned Daniel’s Catholicity because he once had recourse to the seer Mrs. Barnes in order to find his sheep. First, let me say that I am in complete accord with what The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. (CCC, 2116)
The Paradise Tree is a historical novel which portrays how life used to be, both good and ill. In Ireland there was a long tradition of seeking the advice of those who had the “second sight.” When a culture is deeply Catholic, like the Irish Catholic culture once was, then vestiges of paganism were not perceived as a threat to anyone's faith but rather were seen as natural or preternatural phenomena. They believed in fairies and paranormal phenomena, things that they acknowledged as existing but which no one could explain. It was part of their folklore. Everything unexplained was not immediately attributed to the devil. That was seen as a Protestant reaction.
There is an old book with an Imprimatur called Occult Phenomena in the Light of Theology by Alois Wiesinger, O.C.S.O. which tells how some "psychic" phenomena can be explained as the "vestigial" powers of the human soul left over from its pre-fallen state. Mrs. Barnes was not seen as being evil but merely as having special gifts which she used to help others. However, such phenomena are never seen by the O’Connor family as a replacement for the virtue of faith or as contradicting the validity of Catholic teaching.
Of all the Celtic customs which the Irish retained into the twentieth century, the one which the Church most frowned upon was the tradition of "keening," in which women would loudly wail and rend their hair when someone died. It is a form of mourning common among ancient peoples but the English found it repulsive, preferring stoic silence. To the English it was another proof that the Irish were uncivilized. The Church saw the custom as exhibiting a lack of belief in Heaven and the Resurrection. This is why in the novel, when one of the children dies and Brigit begins to keen, Daniel stops her gently but firmly.
INDEX OF CHARACTERS
Daniel Joseph O’Connor (1796-1886) Born in Togher parish in Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland and emigrated to Canada in 1821. Son of Michael O’Connor and Joanna Ronan O’Connor of Dunmanway. Later known as “Squire O’Connor.”
Brigit Mary Trainor O’Connor (1815-1884) Wife of Daniel. Born in County Westmeath, Ireland and emigrated to Canada in 1827. Daughter of Peter Trainor and Catharine McGinnis Trainor.
Children of Daniel and Brigit
— Joanna Mary Catharine O’Connor (Joanna), born 1831
— Michael Peter O’Connor (Mick), born 1833
— Catharine Maria O’Connor (Katy), born 1835
— Mary Ann O’Connor, born 1837
— Eleanor Elizabeth O’Connor (Ellen), born 1839
— Margaret Eileen O’Connor (Margaret), born 1841
— Bridget Gabrielle O’Connor (Brig), born 1843
— Mary Catharine O’Connor (Mary), born 1845
— Charles James O’Connor (Charlie), born 1847
— Ann Maria O’Connor (Annie), born 1855
— Charlotte Honora O’Connor (Lottie), born 1858
Daniel’s brothers in Canada
—Michael O’Connor (Uncle Michael) Elder brother of Daniel O’Connor. Born in 1794 in County Cork, Ireland. Emigrated to America and became a farmer in New York State.
—Owen O’Connor Younger brother of Daniel O’Connor. Born in 1802 in County Cork. Emigrated to Canada.
—Charles O’Connor (Uncle Charles) Youngest brother of Daniel. Born in 1810 in County Cork. Emigrated to Canada and worked as a tailor in Delta, Ontario.
Other friends and relatives
—Rose O’Leary O’Connor First wife of Michael O’Connor.
—Catherine MacCarthy O’Connor (Aunt Catherine) Second wife of Michael O’Connor.
—Eleanor MacCarthy O’Connor (Aunt Eleanor) Wife of Charles, Daniel’s brother.
—Julia O’Connor (Cousin Julia) Eldest daughter of Charles and Eleanor.
—Patrick O’Connor (Cousin Patrick) Only son of Charles and Eleanor. Fought in the American Civil War.
—Eleanor O’Connor (Cousin Nora) Younger daughter of Charles and Eleanor.
—Patrick Ivey Local rascal. Suitor and later husband of Julia O’Connor.
—Peter Trainor Father of Brigit Trainor O’Connor.
—James Trainor Brother of Brigit Trainor O’Connor.
—John Trainor Other brother of Brigit.
—Father McDonnell Priest who officiates the marriage of Daniel and Brigit. Later Bishop of Kingston
—John O’Brien Daniel’s neighbor and best man at his wedding.
—Katherine Hacket (Kitty) Cousin of the Trainors. Matron of honor for Brigit.
—Granny O’Grady Neighbor and friend of Daniel and Brigit.
—Andrew McArdle (Squire McArdle) Neighbor and friend of Daniel and Brigit.
—Sarah McMullen M
cArdle Wife of Andrew.
—Catherine McArdle Donnelly (Kate) Eldest daughter of Andrew and Sarah.
—John McArdle Son of Andrew and Sarah. Suitor of Bridget Gabrielle O’Connor.
—Emily McArdle Youngest daughter of Andrew and Sarah. Future wife of Charles James O’Connor.
—Fergus Joseph O’Connor (Fergie) Son of Charles James O’Connor and Emily McArdle.
—Benjamin Slack Apprentice to Daniel. Suitor of Joanna O’Connor.
—Duncan Cameron Horn A Scottish schoolmaster.
—James MacDonald Suitor and later husband of Margaret O’Connor.
—Nancy MacDonald Sister of James MacDonald. Wife of Michael (Mick) O’Connor.
—John MacDonald Younger brother of James and Nancy. Suitor of Annie O’Connor.
—Charles Joseph O’Connor (Cousin Charley Joe) Son of Michael O’Connor and Nancy MacDonald.
—Anthony Flood Suitor of Bridget Gabrielle O’Connor.
—John Desmond A gentleman farmer from New York State. Suitor of Mary O’Connor.
—Henry Palmer A doctor from New York State. Suitor of Charlotte O’Connor.
—Reverend Mr. Smith Methodist minister.
—Reverend Mr. Quince Methodist minister.
—Father MacDonald Catholic priest. Pastor of the church of St. Philip Neri.
—Father Spratt Catholic priest. Pastor of the church of the Japanese Martyrs.
—Mrs. Barnes A healer.
—Michael O’Kelly Former suitor of Brigit Trainor O’Connor.
—Joe Bevins Friend of Fergus O’Connor.
—George Friend of Fergus O’Connor.
Index OF IRISH WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
A run mo chroi: O love of my heart
Begorrah: By God
Beyont: Beyond
Bodhran: A wide, flat drum.
Boggin’ off: Loafing around
Bonnyclabber: Curdled milk, similar to cottage cheese
Boxty: A thick pancake of grated potato, flour, and baking soda or powder
Ceilidh: A traditional Gaelic social gathering involving music and dancing
Colcannon: A traditional Irish dish, often eaten at Halloween, consisting of mashed potatoes and kale or cabbage
Eejit: Idiot
Flummery: A custard-like dish made with eggs, flour, milk and sugar
Fluthered: Intoxicated
Frumenty: Boiled cracked wheat with eggs and milk or broth, often with the addition of fruit, nuts and spirits
Hanging gale: The payment of rent by means of crops, livestock or dairy products
Leanansidhe: Love fairy
Lorica: A long prayer; a breastplate
Mo chroí: My heart
Mo mhiurnen: My darling
Muise, muise: Indeed or well, well; a general interjection
Na leanaí: The children
Penal laws: Restrictions upon Irish Catholics, 1695-1793
Put the heart crossways: To be frightened or surprised
Sidhe: The faeries
Sláinte: To your health
Sliabh Na MBán: A Gaelic ballad, called “The Mountain of Women” in English
Sowens: Slightly fermented porridge made from oat bran or husks that have been soaked in water and boiled
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Although a work of historical fiction, elements of The Paradise Tree were gleaned from private family papers and unpublished or privately published works, including assorted letters, newspaper clippings, and legal documents. Here are some of the unpublished sources used: the diary of Charles O’Connor, the diary of Ellen O’Connor, the autograph album of Bridget Gabrielle O’Connor Flood, the memoirs of Dr. Fergus Joseph O’Connor, the memoirs of Dr. Fergus James O’Connor Because You Asked For It, and Memory Turns the Dial by Madeline O’Connor. The published books and articles consulted are listed below.
Akenson, Donald Harman. The Irish in Ontario: A Study in Rural History (Second Edition). Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1999.
Anderson, Charles D. Bluebloods and Rednecks: Discord and Rebellion in the 1830s. Burnstown, Ontario: 1996.
Backhouse, Constance B. “Desperate Women and Compassionate Courts: Infanticide in Nineteenth-Century Canada.” University of Toronto Law Journal, 34 (1984) 447-478.
Cahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization. New York: Anchor, 1996.
Caniff, William. History of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Toronto: Dudley and Burns, 1869.
Chiniquy, Father. Fifty Years in the Church of Rome. Chicago: The Craig Press, 1882
Curtis, Edmund. A History of Ireland. London: University Paperbacks, 1961.
Foster, R.F. Modern Ireland, 1600-1972. New York: Viking Adult, 1989.
Hubert, Henri. The History of the Celtic People. London: Bracken Books, 1992.
Jacobs, Joseph. Celtic Fairy Tales. London: David Nutt: 1892
Kee, Robert. The Green Flag, Vol. One: The Most Distressful Country. London: Penguin Books, 1972.
Keneally, Thomas. The Great Shame: And the Triumph of the Irish in the English-Speaking World. New York: Nan A. Talese, 1999.
Leavitt, Thaddeus William Henry. History of Leeds and Grenville. Brockville, Ontario: Recorder Press, 1879.
Lichte, Shannon McMahon. Irish Wedding Traditions. New York: Hyperion, 2001.
Lockwood, Glenn J. Rear of Leeds and Lansdowne: The Making of Community on the Gananoque River Frontier, 1796-1996. Lyndhurst, Ontario: Corporation of Rear of Leeds and Lansdowne, 1996.
Mac Annaidh, Seamus. Irish History. Bath: Parragon, 1999.
MacManus, Seumas. The Story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland. New York: The Devin-Adair Company, 1967.
Matthews, Caitlin. The Elements of the Celtic Tradition. Rockport, MA: Element, 1989.
Miles, Kathryn. All Standing: The Remarkable Story of the Jeanie Johnston, Legendary Irish Famine Ship. New York: Free Press, 2013.
Moody, T.W. and Martin, F.X. The Course of Irish History. Lanham, MD: Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 2001.
Moorhouse, Geoffrey. Sun Dancing: A Vision of Medieval Ireland. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company, 1997.
O’Connor, Frank, ed. A Book of Ireland. London: Collins, 1959.
O’Donohue, John. Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom. New York: Harper Perennial, 1998
Wiesinger, Alois. Occult Phenomena in the Light of Theology. Westminster, Maryland: The Newman Press, 1957
ACKOWLEDGMENTS
Although The Paradise Tree is a work of fiction, protracted research was necessary in order to build an authentic historical backdrop. First of all, I want to mention those family members who have helped me in this project but who have, as of this writing, passed on: my grandmother, Norah O’Connor Laughland, with whom I used to drink sherry and listen to stories about the old days; her sister, Mary O’Connor, who described Ellen O’Connor and Annie O’Connor MacDonald to me; my cousin, Mary O’Connor Kaiser, who gave me the idea to write about Daniel and Brigit in the first place. Mary Kaiser shared her vast knowledge of family history with me, driving me around Leeds County, Ontario, to the various sites mentioned in the novel. Her untimely demise was a huge loss in more ways than one. I would also like to thank my late father, John Charles Laughland, for sharing with me his extensive family archive.
Secondly, I would like to express my gratitude to those living relatives who have assisted me over the years with my study of the O’Connor clan: Mary Kaiser’s son Ted Kaiser, who took me to Long Point and other historic points of interest; Mary’s brother Michael O’Connor, who explained to me the process for making maple syrup and who helped me to find the Catholic cemetery in Philipsville where Daniel and Brigit O’Connor, Daniel’s brother Charles O’Connor, and Bridget O’Connor Flood are all buried. Thanks to my cousin Sheila Doherty Carriere, who composed a detailed description of Charlie and Emily’s house at Long Point based upon her childhood memories. I am grateful to my fourth cousin Gerry Roney, grandson of Anthony and Bridget Flood, who furnished me with a gre
at deal of information about his grandmother. Finally, I must thank my aunt, Margaret Laughland Brennan, for giving me a tour of the Long Point school house.
I want to also thank the friends who have given encouragement to this project, especially Mary Lanser, for lending me books and listening to my ideas; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thomas, for letting me use their mountain manor as a place to write; Robyn Mendelsohn, a former BBC producer, for reading and editing the first draft. Of course, without my wonderfully patient editor Angela Cybulski, The Paradise Tree might never have seen the light of day. Most of all, I thank my mother Alice Laughland, who provided childcare, meals, and clean laundry so that I could finish this novel.
Elena Maria Vidal
Easter Sunday, 2014
About the Author
Elena Maria Vidal was born in Florence Oregon in 1962 but grew up in Frederick County, Maryland. She received her BA in Psychology from Hood College and her MA in Modern European History from SUNY Albany. Elena enjoys traveling and working with the elderly. She lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with her family. Elena’s Tea at Trianon blog (http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com) deals with social, religious and political issues as well as history. Her novel Trianon has been an international bestseller. The Paradise Tree is her fourth novel.