‘Ring of Salt’, by Besty Cornwell

Ring of Salt by Betsy Cornwell is an inspiring and powerful memoir of finding home and hope on the wild coast of Ireland.

A writer, mother, and former client of COPE Galway’s #DomesticAbuse Service, Betsy shares her powerful story of fleeing an abusive marriage on her son’s first birthday. She checks into a hotel under a false name so her husband couldn’t find them. In the uncertain months that followed, her fierce determination to give her child what she never had – a safe and stable home – saved them.

Her journey takes her to Ireland’s west coast, and there, nestled beside a quiet lake in the wilds of Connemara, she discovers a long-abandoned knitting factory – forgotten, but full of possibility. As she renovates the crumbling house and fights to keep custody of her son, she begins to rebuild something more: a sense of belonging. With the help of fellow survivors and an unexpected community, she reclaims the story of her life and turns the Old Knitting Factory into a sanctuary for herself and her son, and a creative refuge for single mothers.

Praise for ‘Ring of Salt’

“Addictive . . . It will suck any reader quickly in and for those who find themselves in Betsy’s position, it will be a lifeline – a painful, admirable gift offered up so that they will now see escape is possible.”
— Irish Independent

“Heartwarming . . . I do not doubt that those first original knitters are cheering her on from another place as she fulfils her dreams for The Old Knitting Factory.”
— Irish Times bestselling author Ruth O’Leary, for writing.ie

“A beautiful and deeply moving memoir. I could not put it down. Cornwell explores with honesty, humor and courage what it takes to start over, and chronicles how she drew strength from female friendship, motherhood, community, and Ireland itself. A must-read.”
— J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author of The Cliffs

“Reading ‘Ring of Salt’ is a profoundly inspiring experience. The memoir eloquently illustrates how the traumas of life can be converted into creativity and magic, enabling beauty and hope to coexist with pain. Cornwell’s writing facilitates healing and empowerment, resonating deeply with readers through each meticulously crafted sentence.”
— Senator Lynn Ruane