9/5/2008 - The History Department at the College of Mount Saint Vincent will host a lecture with author Tom Phelan to discuss his book, The Canal Bridge. The work tells the story of two Irish stretcher-bearers in the British Army trying to stay alive as they navigate the perils of the trench warfare in World War I. 

Phelan, a native of County Laois in Ireland is the author of acclaimed novels such as In the Season of the Daisies, Iscariot, and Derrycloney.  The Canal Bridge, on one level, deals with young Irish men caught up in war and the lovers and family they leave behind. On another level, it questions why Ireland’s World War I veterans do not occupy an honored place in the pantheon of Irish heroes – a trend that may be changing in the light of recent events in Northern Ireland. It also questions why the Irish veterans of World War I who served in the British Army were not honored.

The Irish Echo has called The Canal Bridge,  “An incredibly moving story of love and friendship....from recounting childhood experiences in rural Ireland to epic battle scenes, the writing is consistently stunning."

The lecture will take place on Tuesday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the President’s Reception Room in the Administration Building. Refreshments will be served and copies of the book will be available for purchase.  Please contact the History Department for more information at (800) 665-CMSV.