Fadó

About the Book

Ireland, 1835 – the author’s remote ancestral home, Arranmore Island, languishes on the eve of famine. Meanwhile, carved from the Illinois prairie, a small settlement rises, eventually becoming his boyhood hometown, Mundelein. Fadó (f’doe), Irish for "long ago," chronicles the surprising confluence of these two cultures. Generations of family heritage, immigration, triumph, and tragedy reveal fascinating ties to a much bigger world. Resonating throughout is the story of a son eager to please his father and prove his worth. Fadó is a personal invitation to anyone wishing to explore the depth and truth of one’s own heritage – part memoir, part history, affectionately told in exquisite detail.

About the Author

Kevin O’Donnell was born on Mother’s Day, 1955, in Bayonne, NJ. His family moved to Mundelein, IL in 1959. His formative years were comprised of a staunch Catholic education, a deep-seated interest in his heritage, an addiction to music, and a passion for history – each left an indelible impression. Historical themes, conversational storytelling, and strong visual images are his hallmark - skills he learned from his Irish immigrant father which he has since parlayed into careers as musician, actor, singer-songwriter, columnist, and now, author. Never wandering far from his mid-west sensibilities, O’Donnell currently makes his home in Arlington Heights, IL.