Four Green Fields

The authors of Four Green Fields have gone above and beyond on their promise to bring us wild Irish banter and craic. They have literally thrown open the doors of their collective closets and introduced us to the family skeletons, put flesh back on their bones and made them dance! Not only do we get a glimpse into the wacky world of their Irish upbringing, but we are introduced to fathers, grandfathers and uncles - utterly devoid of any sense of political correctness - who at times went about their daily lives oblivious to the havoc they wreaked around them, but at other times knew full well the embarrassment they were causing their families.

The authors of Four Green Fields have gone above and beyond on their promise to bring us "wild Irish banter and craic." They have literally thrown open the doors of their collective closets and introduced us to the family skeletons, put flesh back on their bones and made them dance! Not only do we get a glimpse into the wacky world of their Irish upbringing, but we are introduced to fathers, grandfathers and uncles - utterly devoid of any sense of political correctness - who at times went about their daily lives oblivious to the havoc they wreaked around them, but at other times knew full well the embarrassment they were causing their families.

What’s the Craic? 11

Greg McVicker 13

John Rickerby 25

Mark Rickerby 32

J.P. Sexton 41

Our Fathers: Hallowed Be Thy Names 45

Holy Communion, Holy Terror, Holy Frig! 46

Chuckie Our Da 58

Pissing off the Priest 79

Wait ‘til your father gets home! 83

Nosehead versus Chief Littlefoot 87

Leprechauns, Giants, & Banshees 91

Uncle Alfie to the Rescue 92

Cave Hill 98

Giant’s Causeway 102

Banshee of Dunluce Castle 108

The Troubles 113

Following in my Father’s Footsteps 114

Prods and Taigs 115

Kamikaze Catwalks 122

Donegal and Derry 127

Fenians and Milk Bottles 131

Belfast City Asylum 133

Stranger to my Land 139

In the Name of Religion 142

Stolen Identity 149

Ulster 154

Yesterday’s Footprints 159

Everlasting Homesickness 160

Donegal Fishermen 173

Time Out 176

Scattered Youth 180

Waiting 185

The Enchanted Isle 188

The Bogman 190

Donegal Boys 195

My Road 199

In Loving Memory… 203

White Feathers 204

Even Heaven Can’t Hold Us 207

Whispers in the Breeze 212

Laying to Rest 216

How We Survive 224

Mum’s Lament 229

“You’re Your Father All Over Again!” 248

On Looking Through Old Photographs 263

Shenanigans & Storytelling 265

Sammy 266

Danny Houton, Malin Head, Co. Donegal 274

Murphy’s Law: My Friend of Misery! 280

Belfast Comes to Burbank 295

Dublin Cream Bun 298

Craic! Banter! Hobby Horses Shite! 309

Bless Me, Father...… 310

The Pen & Paper Pub 313

Just About the End 321

Greg: The Near Belfast Child 322

John & Mark: A Paddy and a Half 324

J.P.: Irish Crooner; Head the Ball 326

Connect with the Authors 329