Benji Houlihan, recently retired Taoiseach, is missing. His ex-driver, Spike Merry, is looking for him. Why would anyone want to harm Benji? Who is ‘Ma’ McGrath? What is the ‘Norway Treasure’? Where did Benji find out the banks were in trouble? How did the Financial Regulator end up using a spread-sheet template designed by a fourteen year old to reassure himself of the robustness of the Irish financial system? These are some of the questions asked, but not necessarily answered in this novel. The Twisted Shillelagh is a serious re-analysis of the boom, the bust, 1916, the ‘Emergency’, the peace process, Ireland’s relationship with Europe, and the ecclesiastical implications of attending religious services dressed as your best mate’s recently deceased granny.
