Father Butler, The Lough Dearg Pilgrim (1839)

Father Butler, The Lough Dearg Pilgrim is a novel written by Irish author William Carleton and published in 1839. The story is set in rural Ireland during the early 19th century and follows the life of Father John Butler, a Catholic priest who is known for his piety and devotion to his faith. The novel begins with Father Butler's childhood and his early years as a seminarian. It then follows his journey as a young priest, as he travels to the small village of Lough Dearg to take up his first parish. There, he becomes involved in the lives of the local people, offering spiritual guidance and support to those in need.As the story progresses, Father Butler faces a number of challenges and obstacles, including opposition from the local Protestant community, who view him with suspicion and distrust. Despite this, he remains steadfast in his faith and continues to work tirelessly for the good of his parishioners.Throughout the novel, Carleton vividly depicts the harsh realities of life in rural Ireland during this period, including poverty, disease, and political upheaval. He also explores themes of faith, love, and sacrifice, as Father Butler grapples with his own personal struggles and the challenges of his chosen vocation.Overall, Father Butler, The Lough Dearg Pilgrim is a powerful and moving work of fiction that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of rural Ireland during the early 19th century, as well as a compelling portrait of a deeply committed and compassionate Catholic priest.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.