Castle Richmond

Set against the backdrop of the Irish famine, the story unfolds in southwestern Ireland, specifically at Castle Richmond by the Blackwater River. The narrative centers on the rivalry between two Protestant cousins, Owen and Herbert Fitzgerald, as they vie for the affection of Clara Desmond, the noble yet impoverished daughter of the Countess of Desmond. With Trollope's deep familiarity with Ireland, the novel intricately weaves themes of social class, love, and competition within a richly detailed historical context.