In the early 19th century, the Irish arrived in Cleveland in search of opportunity. Construction on the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1825 attracted many Irish seeking employment. After the canals were completed, many who survived grueling labor conditions left northeastern Ohio, but others became dockworkers and shipbuilders. The Irish who made Cleveland home impacted the city significantly. The Roman Catholic Church became a mainstay for Irish immigrants, and parochial schools offered Irish youth an education steeped in faith and knowledge. Irish pride is evident by enthusiastic participation in clubs, festivals, cultural organizations, and public service. Irish Americans are now one of the largest and most active of the many ethnic groups represented in Cleveland, as demonstrated by the much-anticipated and well-attended annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

It's 1888, and Mamie Chambers is leaving Ireland for a new home in Cleveland, Ohio, with her two brothers and her fiance, Peter Sweeny. But instead of settling into a new life, her dreams are shattered when her husband-to-be disappears...and no one knows if he left voluntarily or if it was foul play. Mamie throws herself into working at a saloon with her new friend, Kate Masterson, and Kate's brother Patrick. Things seem to be going right until they run into trouble with the Mob, which believes they should be the rightful owners of the saloon--because women have no business running the establishment on their own. Kate and Mamie also come up against a group of Church women spreading hateful gossip. Then, suddenly, someone claiming to be Peter Sweeny reappears--but Mamie knows he's an imposter. She has a choice between helping her new friends save their saloon...or backing down to people who want to destroy them.Based on a true story of the author's real ancestors, Irish immigrants to Cleveland, Ohio, who arrived in the 1880s.