Teenager Patrick O’Malley’s story begins in the emerald fields of County Kerry in the South West of Ireland. Working alongside his father, Seamus, they grew enough potatoes to feed their family of five - that was until the potato blight struck the whole area leaving people starving. After selling everything they could, the only option was the one they had hoped to avoid.

In 1847 it was starvation that forced the family to emigrate to the Five Points area of New York, and to a life they could never have imagined. If they were expecting a welcome they were sadly mistaken.

Five Points back in 1847, was a hot mess of crime, poverty, and all-round chaos.
It gained international notoriety as a densely populated, disease-ridden, crime-infested slum.

Join Patrick as he navigates this new world of prejudice, rival gangs, love, loss and a daily struggle for survival.

It makes one wonder at the fortitude and perseverance required both to live, and to survive, the hunger, discrimination and violence. But Patrick is determined to build a better life for his whole family, however, he has an awful lot to experience before he gets a chance to fulfil that particular dream.

Credit to the author who has clearly carried out a huge amount of research to bring Patrick’s experience of what it was to be an immigrant in 1800’s New York, vividly to life.

The Journey of Patrick O Malley is story that I felt a convection to, as my own family fled the potato famine and came to America. The book details the day to day hardships that the family suffered for many years. It was an interesting read and would be a great book for students to understand the discrimination, and what led to the labor union. The resilience of the never give up family was amazing.
I did find it repeatitive but I enjoyed it.

The Journey of Patrick O'Malley is a powerful, gut-wrenching look at the immigrant experience, bringing 1847 New York to life in a way that feels both brutal and hopeful. Patrick’s story is filled with struggle—escaping the famine, enduring Five Points, and navigating the dangerous world of Irish gangs—but at its core, it’s about resilience and fighting for a better life. What I loved most was how vivid and immersive the writing was—I could practically hear the clamor of the streets and feel the weight of Patrick’s hardships. A great read for fans of gripping historical fiction!

Holy historical rollercoaster, Batman! 🎢 The Journey of Patrick O'Malley is like stepping into a time machine and landing smack in the middle of 1847 NYC—gritty, dangerous, and absolutely THRILLING. Patrick doesn’t just fight for survival; he claws his way through every obstacle thrown at him, and I was cheering (and stress-sweating) the whole way. There’s love, gang fights, heartbreak, and enough twists to keep you glued to the pages. If you love historical fiction with heart and grit, this one’s calling your name. 🍀🔥📖