Broken Harbor

Broken Harbor, which got its name from the Anglicization of the Irish for break of day, was a small coastal town in the 1970 and 80s that was supported mainly by tourism from working class Irish families who would rent seaside caravans for their summer vacations. It was the site of many of Kennedy’s favorite childhood memories, and during his family’s two weeks there he enjoyed happy times with friends. It was where he recalled his depressed mother at her happiest, but when he was only fifteen, it was also where she chose to drown herself. Kennedy’s memories of the town are a mixture of nostalgia and trauma, and returning to the site of his mother’s death summons up memories long forgotten.

Brianstown/Ocean View

After the tourist economy of Broken Harbor dried up during the Celtic Tiger, when families were able to afford...