20 Best Books About Ireland (2023 Update)

An enchanting story about forgotten family secrets that will transport you to the charming village of sandy cove on the beautiful irish coast. allegra casey is searching for a new beginning. so when she discovers an engagement ring buried in the sand near her home in cape cod, the last place she expects it to lead her is to the west coast of ireland. but when she arrives in the tiny village of sandy cove, she finds herself falling in love with the crashing waves, the picturesque coast and the warm-hearted people. as soon as she settles into her cottage at the old coastguard station, allegra meets her eccentric neighbours. they believe the ring belonged to davina courtney, whose family still live on the strawberry hill estate just outside the village. and when allegra visits the old mansion, she meets the charming, enigmatic max courtney-smythe, the great-nephew of the former owner. as they try to solve the mystery of the long-lost ring, allegra and max grow closer, and it soon becomes clear that their feelings for one another are mutual. and as she spends more time with the local community, allegra wonders if she's finally found the place she can call home. but the reappearance of the engagement ring causes problems among the heirs of the estate and, as max suddenly grows distant, allegra wonders whether she should never have travelled to sandy cove. is this where she will finally find true love, or is she destined to leave this magical place alone? fans of mary alice monroe, debbie macomber and sheila o'flanagan will fall in love with this delightful, feel-good irish romance. what readers are saying about susanne o'leary: 'i felt like i was actually in ireland, i could feel the coastal breeze from the irish sea upon my face. this phenomenal story will touch your heart and make you feel as if are part of maggie's close circle of friends… i absolutely loved this.' pageturners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'omg! omg!!… i absolutely fell in love and it genuinely felt like i was packing my bags and being whisked away from my irish holiday when i read the last page. absolutely gorgeous!!!' bookworm86 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The hysterical story bestseller about one man's epic celtic sojourn in search of ancestors, nostalgia, and the world's greatest round of golf by turns hilarious and poetic, a course called ireland is a magnificent tour of a vibrant land and paean to the world's greatest game in the tradition of bill bryson's a walk in the woods. in his thirties, married, and staring down impending fatherhood, tom coyne was familiar with the last refuge of the adult male: the golfing trip. intent on designing a golf trip to end all others, coyne looked to ireland, the place where his father has taught him to love the game years before. as he studied a map of the island and plotted his itinerary, it dawn on coyne that ireland was ringed with golf holes. the country began to look like one giant round of golf, so coyne packed up his clubs and set off to play all of it-on foot. a course called ireland is the story of a walking-averse golfer who treks his way around an entire country, spending sixteen weeks playing every seaside hole in ireland. along the way, he searches out his family's roots, discovers that a once-poor country has been transformed by an economic boom, and finds that the only thing tougher to escape than irish sand traps are irish pubs.

Whether you want to hike through killarney national park, visit the cliffs of moher, or experience the thriving arts and music scene in dublin, the local fodor's travel experts in ireland are here to help! fodor's essential ireland including belfast and northern ireland guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. this new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. – fodor's essential ireland travel guide includes: an illustrated ultimate experiences guide to the top things to see and do – multiple itineraries to effectively organize your days and maximize your time – more than 30 detailed maps and a free pull-out map to help you navigate confidently – color photos throughout to spark your wanderlust – honest recommendations on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, side-trips, and more photo-filled "best of" features on "the wild atlantic way," "historical sights to visit in ireland," "ireland's top 10 natural wonders," and more – trip-planning tools and practical tips including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money – historical and cultural insights providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, geography and more – special features on "top festivals and events," "what to watch and read before you visit," and "what to eat and drink" local writers to help you find the under-the-radar gems – up-to-date coverage on: dublin, kerry, clare, galway, cork, belfast, northern ireland, the aran islands, the ring of kerry, the giants causeway, the wild atlantic way, killarney, connemara, trinity college, dublin's museums, the book of kells, dingle, donegal, irish castles and monasteries, irish design, irish festivals and events, and more. – planning on visiting england? *important note for digital editions: the digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. – about fodor's authors: each fodor's travel guide is researched and written by local experts. fodor's has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. – travel on facebook, instagram, and twitter.

Ireland, 1924. for thirteen-year-old nora doyle every day is a fight for survival in ballybun, the rural irish village she calls home. each night, as she feels the cold wind blowing through the cracks of her family's cramped cottage, nora longs to escape the poverty surrounding her, and find her place in the world. when she meets edward, from the grand house that looms over her tiny village, she feels an unlikely kinship that is impossible to explain, and as she grows from an impulsive child into a beautiful woman, nora spends every moment she can with him. but edward holds the key to a devastating truth about nora's own family that will change her life forever, leading nora away from the village, to the bright, dazzling lights of dublin, and the charming baker joe lynch. but sorrow is never far away for an irish village girl, and when tragedy strikes, nora must return to ballybun and face up to the truth that drove her away. but back amongst the familiar sights and smells of her childhood, nora feels herself drawn once more to her old life, and love, and she faces an impossible choice. can she deny her roots, or will she always be the girl from paradise alley? a heart-wrenching story of love, loss and the power of friendship during unimaginable hardship. this book is perfect for fans of orphan train and diney costeloe's the girl with no name. what readers are saying about sandy taylor: 'oh my word what a fabulous book… i just loved every page of it. this book drew me right in and i was glued to it right up to the final page… a massive 5 stars from me.' goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'wow… right from the start i was hooked to the pages… brilliant… full of joy and also heartbreak… my heart was being wrenched out… an absolutely gorgeous story full of highs and lows… i couldn't put this book down.' katie's book cave, 5 stars 'wow!! what a heartbreaking story i ever read! i absolutely loved that book sooooo much… i definitely will read more books from this author… amazing!' goodreads reviewer, 5 star 'oh wow… what a beautiful heart-warming story this is… drew me in and i loved it from the very first page. i couldn't get enough… i was reading this until 1am.' goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'i fell in love… fabulous… an enthralling read that i didn't want to put down. i was so wrapped up… heart-warming and beautifully written… will have you hooked until the very last page.' by the letter book reviews, 5 stars

Considering a move to ireland? c l mitchell uses her first hand knowledge and experience of relocating to ireland to provide this easy to read, comprehensive guide. packed with practical and essential information including immigration, housing, work, education, and culture, it provides everything you need to settle into your new life in ireland. included in this guide: – essential information about moving to ireland, including immigration, costs and considerations, preparing for the move, and relocating with pets. – practical information on setting up your daily life, including renting or buying property, setting up utilities, healthcare, banking, and shopping. – information about childcare and education options available in ireland. – guide to working and studying in ireland. – detailed guide on getting around ireland by public transport, bicycle, and vehicle, including information about owning a vehicle and obtaining an irish drivers licence.

A cut-throat game of power-brokering and intrigue in eleventh century ireland designed by award-winning designer peer sylvester. ireland is awash with would-be kings, power-hungry pretenders, and self-professed rulers. the provinces are in disarray, and the common folk are paying the price. the land needs a leader. in brian boru, players will strive to unite ireland under their domain, securing control through might, cunning, and matrimony. join forces to fend off viking invaders, build monasteries to extend your influence, and gather support in towns and villages throughout the land. to become high king of all ireland, you will need to navigate a web of shifting alliances, outmaneuver your enemies, and grab history by the reins.

A fascinating journey through the lesser known details of irish historypacked full of myths, legends, inventions, and adventures, i never knew that about ireland visit’s each of the island’s four provinces, unearthing hidden gems of history. discover where ideas were born, where dreams were inspired, and where unforgettable figures from ireland's past now slumber. did you know… – that the holy mountain croagh patrick is where st patrick is said to have driven all the snakes in ireland into the sea? – that the burial chamber at newgrange is the oldest solar observatory in the world? – that there is a bathroom in lismore castle dedicated to fred astaire? – that coca cola began its path toward success on the emerald isle? – that the designs for the white house, the sydney opera house, and the louvre pyramid sprang from the minds of irishmen? famous for their culture, the irish are full of facts and stories you never knew. this compendium sheds light on those little-known historical gems, giving captivating insight into ireland, its people, and its past. a perfect companion for an irish vacation, for reminiscing on past visits, or for those whose hearts have never left, this book will have you exclaiming again and again: "well, i never knew that!"

'an irishman will always soften bad news, so that a major coronary is no more than "a bad turn" and a near hurricane that leaves thousands homeless is "good drying weather"' – hugh leonardthe people of ireland are renowned for their wit, and they have migrated from ireland to most corners of the world, taking that famous sense of humour with them. modern comedians and comic writers as varied as dylan moran, sharon horgan, tommy tiernan, alison spittle, graham linehan and ed byrne have their own distinctive ways of celebrating and mocking their origins while still occasionally acknowledging the traditional 'paddywackery' (meaning the rain-soaked, guinness-sodden oirish stereotype of old). the roots of irish humour are much more complex: for centuries classic irish writers have used black humour and sarcasm, ranging from the satires of jonathan swift, george bernard shaw and oscar wilde through to the hilarity of j.p. donleavy and the sublime nonsense of flann o'brien and spike milligan ('many people die of thirst but the irish are born with one.') this collection combines a pinch of traditional irish humour, from shamrocks to limericks, and blarney stones to drinking stories, mixed with distinctly modern one-liners, quips and quotes from the best of the current crop of humorists, along with sections on the irish mammy, literary feuds and putdowns and epitaphs.

How much do you know about ireland? there's so much to learn about the emerald isle that even its residents don't know. in this trivia book, you'll learn more about ireland's history, pop culture, folklore, and so much more! in the great book of ireland, you'll learn: how did ireland get its name? why is it known as the emerald isle? who was st. patrick really? what do leprechauns and shamrocks have to do with st. patrick's day? which irish company had a 9,000-year lease? what is ireland's top attraction? which movies have been filmed in ireland? which famous novel may have been based on an irish myth? which legends did the irish believe in? and so much more! this book is packed with trivia facts about ireland. some of the facts you'll learn in this book are shocking, some are tragic, and others will leave you with goosebumps. but they're all interesting! whether you're just learning about ireland or you already think you're an expert on the state, you'll learn something you didn't know in every chapter. your history teacher will be interesting at all of your newfound knowledge. so what are you waiting for? get started to learn more about ireland!

A completely gorgeous story about lost loves and small-town secrets that will sweep you away to the irish coast. maggie remembers her summers in the village of sandy cove in ireland like they were yesterday. she and her family would swim in the crystal-clear waters, collect beautiful seashells and relax on the sand. so when she sees that her family's old coastguard cottage is available, she wonders if renting it for the summer will finally help her move on from the man who just broke her heart. as soon as maggie arrives she is delighted to find her childhood best-friend sorcha and sorcha's cousin brian still living in town. they enjoy cosy nights in the local harbour pub, with its stunning views across the ocean, as if no time has passed. and when brian reveals he had a fierce teenage crush on maggie, she can't help but notice just how handsome he has become. but then maggie finds a worn metal box hidden in the attic of the house, full of love letters she exchanged with a sweet american boy she met one summer. during their last night together, star-gazing on the beach, they promised to find each other again. soon it becomes clear that maggie is not the only one returning to sandy cove. torn between her growing feelings for brian and the romance she's held in her heart for many years, maggie realises that her summer may be more complicated than she'd expected. will maggie finally find a true love who can sweep her off her feet or will this holiday in sandy cove be her last? fans of mary alice monroe, sheila o'flanagan and debbie macomber will fall head over heels for this enchanting, feel-good romance. what readers are saying about susanne o'leary: 'omg! omg!! i cannot remember the last time i was so gutted to come to the end of a book!! i absolutely fell in love and it genuinely felt like i was packing my bags and being whisked away for my irish holiday… absolutely gorgeous!!!… an absolutely stunning, heart-warming romance that will have you heading off to ireland in the blink of an eye.' bookworm 86, 5 stars

This authoritative, accessible and engaging four-volume history vividly presents the irish story – or stories – from c.600 to the present, within its broader atlantic, european, imperial and global contexts. while the volumes benefit from a strong political narrative framework, they are distinctive also in including essays that address the full range of social, economic, religious, linguistic, military, cultural, artistic and gender history, and in challenging traditional chronological boundaries in a manner that offers new perspectives and insights. each volume examines ireland's development within a distinct period, and offers a complete and rounded picture of irish life, while remaining sensitive to the unique irish experience. bringing together an international team of experts, this landmark history both reflects recent developments in the field and sets the agenda for future study.

This first volume in a treatise on northern ireland illuminates how british colonialism shaped the formation and political cultures of what became northern ireland and the irish free state. contrasting colonial and sectarianized accounts of modern irish history, brendan o'leary shows that a judicious meld of these perspectives provides a properly political account of direct and indirect rule, and of administrative and settler colonialism. the british state incorporated ulster and ireland into a deeply unequal union after four re-conquests over two centuries had successively defeated the ulster gaels, the catholic confederates, the jacobites, and the united irishmen–and their respective european allies. founded as a union of protestants in great britain and ireland, rather than of the british and the irish nations, the colonial and sectarian union was infamously punctured in the catastrophe of the great famine. the subsequent mobilization of irish nationalists and ulster unionists, and two republican insurrections amid the cataclysm and aftermath of world war i, brought the now partly democratized union to an unexpected end, aside from a shrunken rump of britishauthority, baptized as northern ireland. home rule would be granted to those who had claimed not to want it, after having been refused to those who had ardently sought it. the failure of possible federal reconstructions of the union and the fateful partition of the island are explained, and systematically compared with other british colonial partitions. northern ireland was invented, in accordance with british interests, to resolve the 'hereditary animosities' between the descendants of irish natives and british settlers in ireland. in the long run, the invention proved unfit for purpose. indispensable for explaining contemporary institutions and mentalities, this volume clears the path for the intelligent reader determined to understand contemporary northern ireland.

This title deals with everyday situations in which children may find themselves while abroad. irish grammar is clearly explained, and puzzles provide plenty of practice. this title is part of a series providing a thorough grounding in useful, basic language skills.

Jonathan bardon covers all the obvious things: the invasions, battles, development of towns and cities, the reformation, the georgian era, the famine, rebellions and resistance, the difference of ulster, partition, the twentieth century. what makes his book so valuable, however, are the quirky subjects he chooses to illustrate how history really works: the great winter freeze of 1740 and the famine that followed; crime and duelling; an emigrant voyage; evictions. these episodes get behind the historical headlines to give a glimpse of past realities that might otherwise be lost to view. the author has retained the original episodic structure of the radio programmes.

The phenomenal irish #1 bestseller and award-winning old ireland in colour old ireland in colour celebrates the rich history of ireland and the irish through the colour restoration of stunning images of all walks of irish life, and the irish abroad, throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. from the chaos of the civil war to the simple beauty of the islands, each image has been exquisitely transformed and every page is bursting with life. using a combination of cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology and his own historical research, john breslin has meticulously colourised these pictures with breathtaking attention to detail and authenticity.

From norman invaders, religious wars—and the struggle for independence—the fascinating, turbulent history of a tortured nation and its gifted people when shakespeare referred to england as a "jewel set in a silver sea," he could just as well have been speaking of ireland. not only has its luminous green landscape been the backdrop for bloody catholic/protestant conflict and a devastating famine, ireland's great voices—like joyce and yeats—are now indelibly part of world literature. in irish history for dummies, readers will not only get a bird's-eye view of key historical events (ten turning points) but, also, a detailed, chapter-by-chapter timeline of irish history beginning with the first stone age farmers to the recent rise and fall of the celtic tiger economy. in the informal, friendly for dummies style, the book details historic highs like building an irish free state in the 1920s—and devastating lows (including the troubles in the '60s and '70s), as well as key figures (like mp charles parnell and president eamon de valera) central to the cause of irish nationalism. the book also details historic artifacts, offbeat places, and little-known facts key to the life of ireland past and present. includes ten major documents—including the confession of st. patrick, the book of kells, the proclamation of the irish republic, and ulysses lists ten things the irish have given the world—including irish coffee, u.s.

New york times – 10 best books of the year the atlantic: 10 best books of 2022 best books of the year: washington post, the new yorker, foreign affairs, new statesman, chicago public library “[l]ike reading a great tragicomic irish novel.” —james wood, the new yorker “masterful . . . astonishing.” —cullen murphy, the atlantic "a landmark history . . . leavened by the brilliance of o'toole's insights and wit.” —claire messud, harper’s winner – 2021 an post irish book award — nonfiction book of the year – from the judges: “the most remarkable irish nonfiction book i’ve read in the last 10 years”; “[a] book for the ages.” a celebrated irish writer’s magisterial, brilliantly insightful chronicle of the wrenching transformations that dragged his homeland into the modern world. fintan o’toole was born in the year the revolution began. it was 1958, and the irish government—in despair, because all the young people were leaving—opened the country to foreign investment and popular culture. so began a decades-long, ongoing experiment with irish national identity. born to a working-class family in the dublin suburbs, o’toole served as an altar boy and attended a christian brothers school, much as his forebears did. he was enthralled by american westerns suddenly appearing on irish television, which were not that far from his own experience, given that ireland’s main export was beef and it was still not unknown for herds of cattle to clatter down dublin’s streets. yet the westerns were a sign of what was to come. o’toole narrates the once unthinkable collapse of the all-powerful catholic church, brought down by scandal and by the activism of ordinary irish, women in particular. he relates the horrific violence of the troubles in northern ireland, which led most irish to reject violent nationalism. in o’toole’s telling, america became a lodestar, from john f. kennedy’s 1963 visit, when the soon-to-be martyred american president was welcomed as a native son, to the emergence of the irish technology sector in the late 1990s, driven by american corporations, which set ireland on the path toward particular disaster during the 2008 financial crisis. a remarkably compassionate yet exacting observer, o’toole in coruscating prose captures the peculiar irish habit of “deliberate unknowing,” which allowed myths of national greatness to persist even as the foundations were crumbling.

“dramatic, adventurous, heroic, romantic. . . these historical chronicles, legends, myths, tall tales and fables, featuring warriors, kings, monks, explorers and clever common folk, imaginatively tell the history of ireland.” — philadelphia inquirerthis new york times bestselling epic is an unforgettable tour de force that marries the intimate, passionate texture of the irish spirit with a historical scope that is sweeping and resplendent. storyteller extraordinaire frank delaney takes his readers on a journey through the history of ireland, stopping along the way to evoke the dramatic events and personalities so critical to shaping the irish experience.in the winter of 1951, a storyteller, the last practitioner of an honored, centuries-old tradition, arrives at the home of nine-year-old ronan o'mara in the irish countryside. for three wonderful evenings, the old gentleman enthralls his assembled local audience with narratives of foolish kings, fabled saints, and ireland's enduring accomplishments before moving on. but these nights change young ronan forever, setting him on a years-long pursuit of the elusive, itinerant storyteller and the glorious tales that are no less than the saga of his tenacious and extraordinary isle.

Lonely planet: the world's leading travel guide publisher lonely planet ireland is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. slurp oysters and clap your hands to spirited fiddle music in a lively galway pub, explore medieval castles in dublin and beyond, or set off amid vibrant green hills toward atlantic coastal trails; all with your trusted travel companion. get to the heart of ireland and begin your journey now! inside lonely planet ireland travel guide: full-colour maps and images throughout highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots essential info at your fingertips – hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices honest reviews for all budgets – eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience – including customs, history, art, literature, music, landscapes, sports, food and drink free, convenient pull-out dublin map (included in print version), plus over 86 colour maps covers dublin, waterford, kilkenny, cork, kerry, kildare, limerick, clare, galway, sligo, donegal, the midlands, louth, belfast, armagh, derry, and more the perfect choice: lonely planet ireland , our most comprehensive guide to ireland, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. looking for just the highlights of ireland? looking for a guide focused on dublin? authors: written and researched by lonely planet. about lonely planet: since 1973, lonely planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. lonely planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves.

“dramatic, adventurous, heroic, romantic. . . these historical chronicles, legends, myths, tall tales and fables, featuring warriors, kings, monks, explorers and clever common folk, imaginatively tell the history of ireland.” — philadelphia inquirerthis new york times bestselling epic is an unforgettable tour de force that marries the intimate, passionate texture of the irish spirit with a historical scope that is sweeping and resplendent. storyteller extraordinaire frank delaney takes his readers on a journey through the history of ireland, stopping along the way to evoke the dramatic events and personalities so critical to shaping the irish experience.in the winter of 1951, a storyteller, the last practitioner of an honored, centuries-old tradition, arrives at the home of nine-year-old ronan o'mara in the irish countryside. for three wonderful evenings, the old gentleman enthralls his assembled local audience with narratives of foolish kings, fabled saints, and ireland's enduring accomplishments before moving on. but these nights change young ronan forever, setting him on a years-long pursuit of the elusive, itinerant storyteller and the glorious tales that are no less than the saga of his tenacious and extraordinary isle.