The Harp & the Violet

Frank McGarrity’s unexpected homecoming to the ghetto in the Lochee area of the bustling Scottish city of Dundee, known as Tipperary because of its early Irish settlers, sparks disruption. It’s a long way to Tipperary for him, but will it be all he hopes for? Little has been heard from the Pioneer Corps soldier in the two years since he left his wife Bridget and their son, John. As Britain is in the grip of World War II, Frank's return proves to be disruptive and unpredictable.

His beloved local football team, Lochee Harp, is set to play their bitter rivals, Dundee Violet, the following day. This shifts Frank's priority from family to football and the socializing that accompanies it. Thoughts of being reunited with Bridget and John are pushed aside as hubris takes over. The Harp and the Violet tells of love, sorrow, religious friction, and anguish during desperate, despairing times. Meanwhile, Bridget carries a deep secret.

Frank McGarrity’s return to his roots proves disruptive and unpredictable. Nothing is the same. Frank Gilfeather, an Aberdeen-based journalist and broadcaster, originally from Lochee, Dundee, has written a biography titled "Frank Gilfeather: A Biography". After working as a news reporter and feature writer, he concentrated largely on football writing and worked for a raft of national newspapers as a freelance. He also broadcasts for Sky Sports Soccer Saturday programme. A former sports correspondent for Grampian Television, he has written two books: "Confessions of a Highland Hero" and "Ross County: From Highland League to Hampden," both published by Birlinn. He is a former Scottish boxing champion and internationalist and is married with four grown-up children.

product information: