The Dowry - Tapa dura

Praise for Walter Keady "Keady's folksy, conspiratorial tone is truly irresistible." ---"Washington"" Post Book World" "Ex-priest Keady writes with authority about matters of the church. He's also a sharp plotter, and his characters shine."---"Publishers Weekly" "Keady, who grew up on a farm in the west of Ireland, clearly knows his territory." ---"The New York Times Book Review" "Keady is a refreshing new voice in Irish fiction."---"Library Journal" " " "Keady is a true storyteller, with an absolute command of the English language and a gift for communicating beautifully in both regional lyricism and slang." ---"St. Petersburg"" Times" "Keady paints an entertaining portrait of life, love, and Catholic guilt."---"Boston"" Sunday Herald" " " "Keady . . . has written of human beings, their wants and needs and sorrows and joys, in a manner that is universal." ---"Irish Echo" Praise for Walter Keady " Keady's folksy, conspiratorial tone is truly irresistible." ---"Washington"" Post Book World" " Ex-priest Keady writes with authority about matters of the church. He's also a sharp plotter, and his characters shine." ---"Publishers Weekly" " Keady, who grew up on a farm in the west of Ireland, clearly knows his territory." ---"The New York Times Book Review" " Keady is a refreshing new voice in Irish fiction." ---"Library Journal" " " " Keady is a true storyteller, with an absolute command of the English language and a gift for communicating beautifully in both regional lyricism and slang." ---"St. Petersburg"" Times" " Keady paints an entertaining portrait of life, love, and Catholic guilt." ---"Boston"" Sunday Herald" " " " Keady . . . has written of human beings, their wants and needs and sorrows and joys, in a manner that is universal." ---"Irish Echo"

In 1946 rural Ireland, Brideen Conway lusts after Kieran McDermot but the couple cannot afford to marry. Meanwhile, wealthy publican Austin Glynn is offering a substantial dowry for any suitable mate for his homely daughter, Aideen. The competition is fierce, with Father Donovan plotting to acquire the dowry to enable Brideen and other young parishioners to marry and have children. Martin McDermot, the local rake, schemes to get his hands on the money without having to marry Aideen and then there is Alphonsus Finnerty, author of romantic novels, who is desperately seeking a wife. Plots and counterplots make for a swift-paced comedy of rural manners.