'A selection of writings by women from Ireland, Australia, England, Canada and other countries. This book sets out to show that whether Irish or of Irish descent, they balance ancient history, myth and legend with the fragility and tenuousness of contemporary society.' (Publication summary)
Epigraph: In some far, dim, ancestral hour / There is our root of power.
The strength we give is the strength we make; / And the strength we have is the strength we take, / Given us down from the long-gone years, / Cleansed in the salt of others' tears.
(from Heritage by Mary Gilmore. From Selected Poems).
