On Valentine's Day in 1981, a fire at the Stardust nightclub in Dublin claimed the lives of 48 young people, leaving behind one orphan, Lisa Lawlor. Now, on the 40th anniversary, Lisa shares her story of that tragic evening and its lifelong impact. At just seventeen months old, she lost her parents, Francis and Maureen Lawlor, a young couple who, after rarely going out, were persuaded to visit the nightclub. They never returned home. Following the disaster, Lisa's paternal grandparents took her in, attempting to fill the void in her life with gifts, but nothing truly alleviated her loss. Resentment brewed within the extended family as several members fell into addiction and crime, while Lisa faced abuse and struggled to carve out her own identity. This narrative reveals the heart-wrenching journey of a woman living in the shadow of that night, alongside a family grappling with dysfunction in the aftermath of tragedy. Yet, it is also a story of resilience, hope, love, and determination, as Lisa ultimately finds the strength to persevere for herself and her children. A portion of the book's royalties will support the Stardust campaign.
