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Novel Summary:Constanza Delamar reminisces about her youth, with her daughter Maureen. Her tale is essential, for there are some things that must be passed on¿¿In 1822, Ireland is in the throes of change, as early modernism does battle with ancient traditions. Of all the ancient traditions, none is more controversial than that of the Cailín an Tsagairt, or Priest Woman. Constanza¿s family represents the modern, emerging Ireland that feels nostalgic towards these traditions, but is also eager to move beyond them. A personal tragedy changes her life and she finds herself in a remote village where these traditions are still a way of life. As she struggles to come to terms with tragedy and neglect, a new priest arrives in the village. He condemns these traditions and the village Priest Woman. Her village is turned against itself and neighbor is set against neighbor. Constanza finds herself confronting and then defending the most controversial of these traditions, in ways that she never could have imagined. The mounting tensions in the village culminate in a devastating event with long-term consequences for all those involved.