Something Bigger - republished by 451 Editions

This newly republished historical novel revisits the story of Fr. James Edwin Coyle (Fr. Jimmy), an Irish priest from County Roscommon who was tangled with the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama in 1921. The novel is published by 451 Editions in April 2026. Insfffpired by meticulous historical research but told through the fictionalised voice of Jimmy’s sister, the novel explores the experience of an Irish emigrant priest working in the American South during a period of racial tension and political unrest. Its republication brings renewed attention to a remarkable and still little-known story linking Ireland to one of the most turbulent chapters of twentieth-century American history. The story has direct relevance to the rise of racist populism today.

Listen to Sheila’s interview about the book with Miriam O’Callaghan on RTE here

In a book club? Download a discussion guide for Something Bigger here

You can buy the deluxe Irish edition online from any of these independent Irish shops:

O’Mahony’s, Limerick;  Kenny’s, Galway  ; Charlie Byrne’s, Galway

and it’s available to order online from all good bookshops internationally:

Waterstones, Ireland / Foyles of London /  Barnes & Noble, USA  / Adlibris, Sweden

You can order the book at your local independent bookshop, and they will get it in stock for you. It’s also in stock in Athlone Bookshop, Banner Books,
and available online here in either Kindle or Paperback.