Growing up a Protestant in Catholic Ireland during the 1950s and '60s had its moments... and in the coastal town of Arklow, they were overwhelmingly good. Common struggles to make ends meet, stay healthy and raise happy families created a spirit of community that largely transcended any theological differences. Children played together, adults worked, sang and drank together, and when they went their separate ways, they did so in a spirit of equanimity.

In this engaging memoir, Richard Ruxton draws on a rich vein of characters, their idiosyncrasies, foibles and plenty of childish 'divilment' to create a story full of Irish humour about the people and places that coloured his young life and eased the 'duration' of his school years. Throughout, he paints a picture of times which, though simpler, were not without their own complications, tragedies and triumphs, where surviving on one's wits was an art form best kept to yourself.