Life in Ireland in the 1840s is hard enough, but now the potato crop is failing from a foul-smelling blight. Thirteen-year-old Norah McCabe crawls into the old family dresser next to the hearth and dreams of luscious cakes and fairies as she tries to forget her constant hunger pains. It is her beloved hiding place.

The McCabes can spend what money they have left on rent or pay for passage to America. In the end, they have no choice but to board one of the thousands of ships filled with more than two million Irish bound for North America.

There is only enough money for three of the five tickets needed and much to Norah's dismay, her father promises to deliver her treasured dresser to the land agent's sister in New York in exchange for another ticket, leaving them with only four. But the family devises a plan. Norah will stay hidden in the dresser during the ocean voyage. Even the best laid plans can go sideways, and hiding in the dresser is only the beginning of Norah's many adventures during her journey to America.

The Irish Dresser depicts a vivid picture of Ireland during the Irish Famine (The Great Hunger/an Gorta Mor) and life on a ship crowded with starving, desperate people strong in their hope for a better life in the land of opportunity.