Related Vacation Book Subjects: VacationBookReview iraq isle of man Carlow Cavan Clare Connacht Cork Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow
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Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "ireland", sorted by average review score:

Through Irish Eyes: A Visual Companion to Angela McCourt's Ireland
Published in Hardcover by Smithmark Publishing (November, 1998)
Authors: Malachy McCourt and David Ross
Average review score:

A True Companion
Having read both Angela's Ashes and 'Tis, this book provides yet a greater sense of the Ireland of the McCourt era. The pictures are authentic and show the true Ireland of old. I would recommend this to anyone who is fascinated with Frank McCourt's writings - it will all become quite real.

A masterful visualization of Frank Mc Courts masterpiece.
The Limerick of Angela's Ashes is beautifully, if not sadly portrayed in this collection of photographs and commentary on life in Ireland in the 30's and 40's. This is truly a "must have" for anyone with an interest in the heritage of the Irish people in the twentieth century. The succinct captioning is beautiful and moving. The photography, printed in sepia tones, is marvelous. You won't be able to put it down.


Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (October, 1999)
Author: Gerald R. McDermott
Average review score:

Leaping Lephrucauns
Tim O' Toole is a fantasy tale about a poor man who goes to find work in the town. When Tim takes a rest he discovers a festive group of wee folk. Tim being a wise fellow indeed he threatens the weefolk
to hand over thier treasure and they'll be safe . The weefolk disagree and they give Tim a goose that lays golden eggs. The weefolk warn Tim not to tell a soul. When Tim goes and tells his neighbors , the Magoons.Knowing the great tresures of cherish they steal the goose. When Tim comes crying to the lepracauns they give him a magical tablecloth.Once again the samething happens. Will Tim get his cherished itams back, buy the book to see. The main cahracters are Tim, his wife Kate,the Magoons, and the weefolk. The lesson is becareful who you trust.

The Luck of the Irish.....
"In a little cottage, on a little hill, at the end of a little lane in Donegal, lived Tim O'Toole and his wife, Kathleen. Tim and Kate were so poor they had not a penny or a potato between them. Their children ate porridge for supper. Even the mice were thin from want of food and the cat wouldn't bother with chasing the creatures." So begins Gerald McDermott's Irish folktale, Tim O'Toole And The Wee Folk. Finally Kathleen had had enough, and without even a crumb left to eat, sent her husband out to look for work. Tim O'Toole walked the entire county, but had no luck. But as soon as he sat down to rest, "he heard the faint sound of merry piping and lilting voices raised in song and laughter." Leprechauns! Now Tim knew his luck had changed, for "whoever spies the wee folk in the light of day can demand their treasure". And they rewarded him richly with a goose that lays golden eggs. Unfortunately, on the way home, Tim stopped for the night at McGoon's farm. Unable to control himself, he bragged a bit about his good fortune, and while he was asleep, those nasty McGoons replaced his golden goose with one of their own..... Mr McDermott's wonderfully engaging text is full of magic and humor and begs to be read aloud with a lilting brogue. His amusing, colorful, and expressive illustrations complement the tale and add to all the fun. And as the wee folk come to Tim's rescue and save the day, kids and adults alike will be cheering and laughing out loud. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Tim O'Toole And The Wee Folk is a joyous, good-time, entertaining read that will bring out a little bit of Irish in each of us.


A Tipperary Landed Estate: Castle Otway 1750-1853 (Maynooth Studies in Local History)
Published in Paperback by Irish Academic Pr (September, 1998)
Author: Miriam Lambe
Average review score:

a well researched book which poses some interesting question
A good range of resources were used in this study. The author goes beyond the' them and us' stereotype of relationships in nineteenth century Ireland i.e. Protestant landlord v Catholic tenant, and explores the realities of life for people living on Otway estate in Templederry, Co.Tipperary

Adds a further dimension to Tipperary History
Miriam Lambe captures the activities and history of the life on the Castle Otway Estate from 1750-1853 in a manner rarely achieved by Historians.

The book is highly recommended if your ancestors came from Tipperary. The book gives a rare insight of life under the English landlord on an Irish Estate.


Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland
Published in Paperback by Music Sales Corporation (February, 1997)
Author: Tomas O. Canainn
Average review score:

the beauty of slow airs
I have been playing these slow airs for a couple of years now. They provide an excellent introduction to a part of traditional Irish music that is often overlooked at sessions where you tend to hear and play reel after reel, along with a few jigs thrown in. Of particular interest is the accompanying double tape set that goes with the book. Here Tomas gives you the title, many in Gaelic(so non-Irish speakers can mangle them infront of their freinds) as well as providing some beautiful examples of sean-nos singing. In fact, itis this singing style that is the basis of the slow airs as many of the tunes do have lyrics which you can follow-up on. I had a particularly successful experience with Mo Ghile Mear, which my band perform regularly. The tunes can be played on any tradional instrument, with the tunes in D and G. One drawback of the book is that only the basic note structure is written out with very little room for interpretation which you will have to do yourself - preferably from reputable performances true to sean-nos style. This problem is also evident on the tape recordings as the notes are played strictly as writ without ornamentation and without any room for pulling the music around. Fortunately there are many recordings of these tunes that bring the written music to life. Enjoy their beauty!

lesser known Irish Airs
This is my favorite book of music for playing with my tin whistle(s). I am an intermediate player, and not fast, so slow airs are perfect for me. Many of the tunes are new to me and already I have grown to love the many melodies. The tunes range from a number of Carolan tunes to many traditional tunes, all of which have Gaelic titles. THere is no background information on any of them. I recommend this highly for whistle players who are beyond the beginnining, read music and want to learn beautiful melodies well suited to the instrument. Many other instruments I am sure could use this music book, but I have little background in music so will not render an opinion in this regard. THe subtitle to the book does say, "Suitable for All instruments."


Treasure Hunt (Virago Modern Classic, No 356)
Published in Paperback by Virago Pr (April, 1994)
Author: Molly Keane
Average review score:

Delightful!
This was a delightful novel, which was originally a play. It revolves around a slightly daffy Anglo Irish Family a few years after the Second World War. Although their castle is crumbling around them and they are forced to take on "PG's" (paying guests) to make ends meet, the older generation, members of the faded aristocracy, continue to live in the past, when life revolved around endless parties, glasses of champagne, and betting on the horses. A wonderful look at a disappearing world from someone who lived in it. Very well written and entertaining. This is my first Molly Keane novel. I'm looking forward to reading more.

Posh Lunacy- a perfect combination.
Keane is a descriptive and yet concise writer, allowing the reader to experience the lush, posh life of an Irish Manor House, without overwelming James-esque paragraphs. Her story is fanciful, full of twist and turns, and amazingly humorous. Based on her own experiences of small town living, she spins a humorous, almost anecdotal tale of a wealthy family gone broke, having to take in "P-G's" -paying guests to break just barely even. The (lunatic) elders of the family include, Hercules- the childlike uncle, fond of his biccys(biscuits-cookies); Consuelo- the scathingly flippant aunt, fond of spending; and Aunt Anna Rose, widowed baronness who sits in a sedan chair actually believing she is traveling on the Orient Express, phoning her family from abroad on the telephone they've hooked up for her. Titled the Treasure Hunt because of (hidden)lost rubies, if only Aunt Anna Rose could remember where she hid them 50 years before, "I cannot remember, but they are hidden very well"!
This is a spectacularly hilarious book, and a quick read- I picked it up for a $1.50, and put it down just a day later. Anyone who loves timeperiod pieces will adore this. Enjoy.


Trip to Ireland: Quilts Combining Two Old Favorites
Published in Paperback by That Patchwork Place (March, 2002)
Author: Elizabeth Hamby Carlson
Average review score:

Wonderful Directions
This book is extremely helpful. Everything is spelled out clearly and simply - right down to pressing instructions (which are extremely important with these quilts).

Filled with colorful photos and examples of blends
Elizabeth Hamby Carlson's Trip To Ireland takes two classic quilt patterns - Irish Chain and Trip around the World - and combines them for impact and innovation. From Irish Squares to an easy Irish Trip, this is filled with colorful photos and examples of blends.


The Truth About the Leprechaun
Published in Paperback by Wolfhound Pr (March, 2001)
Author: Bob Curran
Average review score:

Truth About The Leprechaun
A great read! Professionally done! Very entertaining! Adds a lot of insight to the subject of the "little people". A great book about an almost forgotten symbol of Irish folklore. Sure to give you plenty on details to talk about with friends on St. Patrick's Day or at the local Irish pub!

Great
igpiohujrtlgjhkl tjriyhjioj hyjtop ui5ioyu6io4uy idtjihojgoitu 5hyughe5jkhothjuh tjiohjbiortjgvjiobj rtjhiortgihdbu tughibfvugtsrjknjrvdht g tbiohyrt89gvuth 89r9eyt9cvhbjkn uifdhgil uhdfuihvtuigirthngjekvuifyduiehnyvburt5hgtifdjk t vuierhgtuidfhngjkyeruithnxdfjkgv rtvuidfigvcbgnsecnhusfhng Overall it was a good book i loved the old irish stories


Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920 (Music in American Life)
Published in Hardcover by Univ of Illinois Pr (Txt) (October, 1996)
Author: William H. A. Williams
Average review score:

Fascinating, meticulously researched, and deftly written.
Dr. Williams takes what may at first seem like a narrow subject---Irish-American song lyrics---and uses it to tell not only the story of the Irish in America, but of American popular culture as well. This book is full of revelations. Readers unfamiliar with the subject matter will be surprised to learn that not too long ago in our history, Irish-American music and popular culture were practically synonymous. Others with a more sophisticated knowledge of Irish American history will be delighted at all sorts of surprises---e.g., "The Cobbler" and "The Real Old Mountain Dew," two songs popularized by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Maken early in their career, were actually written by Ned Harrigan, a 3rd-generation Irish-American New Yorker. Through his fascinating account of the lives and careers of Harrigan and other stars of Irish-American culture, Williams re-creates a largely forgotten era in American life. His analysis of the history and meaning of the achievements of these artists helps define this remarkable period of creativity and transition in American cultural expression.

1997 Deems Taylor Award from ASCAP.
This book won a 1997 Deems Taylor Award from ASCAP.


Tyrone's Rebellion: The Outbreak of the Nine Years War in Tudor Ireland
Published in Paperback by Boydell & Brewer (01 April, 1999)
Author: Hiram Morgan
Average review score:

The Nine Years War
A 'must read' for any serious student of Irish history. To fully understand why Ireland is in the political conundrum it is you must first understand where the divisions between religion and politics began. The Geraldine and Butler leagues implemented by Sir Henry Sidney are merely the start, the ineptitude of Tudor officials the catalyst, and the rising power of Hugh O'Neill and his confederacy of Irish Lords and Cheiftans who had been wronged by English policy the vehicle. This book paints the most vivid picture of the people and the events responsible for the conflict. A look at a rare letter written by Cormac Mac Baron to King Phillip II of Spain is used to re-enforce the arguments propounded within the text. The authour, a historian, has clearly done more in-depth research on the subject than any other author to date and accurately describes (for the first time ever) the true story of The O'Neill.

an excellent study for any reader interested in early modern
This is a slight revision of my review of the hardcover version. Such a good book should be affordable. Hiram Morgan's monograph is an excellent study for any reader interested in early modern British or Irish history. One cannot understand the contemporary Protestant versus Roman Catholic distrust, animosity, and cultural divide in Northern Ireland without understanding the English Tudor's racist Irish policy of colonization.

One of Morgan's major contributions is to put the causes of Tyrone's Rebellion into the even broader context of late 16th century Europe, where the Protestant-Catholic religious divide, intensified by the Catholic Counter-Reformation, shaped national and international politics, while at the same time, the centralizing tendencies of nations like England conflicted with the lordships of Ireland. Morgan places the England-Ireland conflict within the same overarching political and religious context as the Spanish war in the Netherlands. Catholic Spain supported the Irish rebellion.

The author is no polemicist. He has grounded his study in English and Irish manuscript sources and Spanish archives and supplied readers with decent maps, and an important revisionist interpretation of this crucial but strangely overlooked rebellion.

Tyrone's Rebellion was led by the controversial Hugh O'Neil, the earl of Tyrone. This outbreak was the culmination of growing Irish animosity towards intrusive Tudor policy, but as mentioned above, according to Morgan it was not mere "Tudor rebellion." Despite the Tudor's usually successful strategy of divide-and-conquer, the ignorance and heavy-handed tactics of Elizabeth I's English administrators managed to unite the Gaelic chieftans with the Anglo-Irish (English or Norman expatriates who had become "more Irish than the Irish themselves") in opposition to English plantation and pacification under the leadership of O'Neil. O'Neil was his own man, and Morgan refutes the old steretype that O'Neil was the "creature" of Elizabeth's court. The rebellion was fomented in 1593-94, broke out in 1598 Battle of Yellow Ford), and lasted until 1607 (after Elizabeth I had died, and been succeeded by James I).

Tyrone, the "arch rebel," ultimately came to terms days after Elizabeth's death, and went into exile (the famous "flight of the earls"). Robert Devereaux, the earl of Essex, and one of the queen's favorites, was not so fortunate. His personal ambition, military incompetence, and defiance of his majesty's orders cost him his life. While the fate of such elite persons (along with the great apologist of English policy - poet Edmund Spenser) is well known, one of Morgan's minor oversights, which is common in most books about this era, is a lack of attention to the appalling fate of the masses of English and Irish who were slaughtered on both sides of this early version of total war. Half of Ireland was destroyed. The result was famine, disease, and anarchy. The war cost the stingy Tudors a fortune in expenditures and debts. But England prevailed and secured Ireland from being a threatening base of operations for Catholic Spain or France. The "flight of the earls" - the "wild geese" - scattered throughout continental Europe, signaling the decline - but not the end - of Gaelic Ireland.


The Ulysses Guide: Tours Through Joyce's Dublin
Published in Paperback by Routledge (February, 1989)
Author: Robert Nicholson
Average review score:

A Guidebook to Ulysses: Literally!
A unique, creative volume, both a guidebook to contemporary Dublin (circa 1989) and the Dublin of Joyce's "Ulysses", and a guide to interpreting the text of "Ulysses." The book contain eight tours of Dublin corresponding (though not strictly chronologically) to the inner and outer voyages of Leopold Bloom on "Bloomsday," (June 16, 1904) the day chronicled in "Ulysses."

A great deal of the text is included, along with explanations of Joyce's historical, religious, place-name allusions, as well as information on how to follow Bloom on his walking and riding tour of Dublin. (Bloom walked, took trams, trains, and hose-drawn conveyances, today's visitor is told how to use DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) to negotiate Bloom's wanderings that day. Some of the city remains as it did in 1904; others have places have changed, partially as a result of being mentioned in the fictional "Ulysses." For example, Sandycove Tower, which was a real tower in 1904, and is the initial setting of "Ulysses." It is now the site of the "James Joyce Museum." The bar of the old "Jury Hotel" (one of 60 actual establishments mentioned in "Ulysses") has been transported to Zurich and renamed the "James Joyce Pub."

Because Joyce set "Ulysses" in the Dublin he knew, and based many of his characters on people he knew, the walking tours transcend (as does the book) the objective "what's there" and the subjective "how did Joyce write about it." It is truly a remarkable book, fascinating for those familiar with "Ulysses," and/or those who are taking either armchair or actual tours of Dublin. Includes many cites from the book (with excellent annotations and references to places in Dublin), anecdotes about Joyce, maps of the walking tours, three appendices (including "The Movements of Leopold Bloom and Stephan Dedalus on 16 June, 1904), and a useful index. Very highly recommended.

A Guidebook to Ulysses¿Literally!
A unique, creative volume, both a guidebook to contemporary Dublin (circa 1989) and the Dublin of Joyce's "Ulysses", and a guide to interpreting the text of "Ulysses." The book contain eight tours of Dublin corresponding (though not strictly chronologically) to the inner and outer voyages of Leopold Bloom on "Bloomsday," (June 16, 1904) the day chronicled in "Ulysses."

A great deal of the text is included, along with explanations of Joyce's historical, religious, place-name allusions, as well as information on how to follow Bloom on his walking and riding tour of Dublin. (Bloom walked, took trams, trains, and hose-drawn conveyances, today's visitor is told how to use DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) to negotiate Bloom's wanderings that day. Some of the city remains as it did in 1904; others have places have changed, partially as a result of being mentioned in the fictional "Ulysses." For example, Sandycove Tower, which was a real tower in 1904, and is the initial setting of "Ulysses." It is now the site of the "James Joyce Museum." The bar of the old "Jury Hotel" (one of 60 actual establishments mentioned in "Ulysses") has been transported to Zurich and renamed the "James Joyce Pub!" And some things apparently do not change: The brothel setting of "Circes" is still "one of Dublin's danger areas where street crime is common...and [the area] should be treated with caution." Because Joyce set "Ulysses" in the Dublin he knew, and based many of his characters on people he knew, the walking tours transcend (as does the book) the objective "what's there" and the subjective "how did Joyce write about it."

This is a truly remarkable book, fascinating for those familiar with "Ulysses," and/or those who are taking either armchair or actual tours of Dublin. Includes many cites from the book (with excellent annotations and references to places in Dublin), anecdotes about Joyce, maps of the walking tours, three appendices (including "The Movements of Leopold Bloom and Stephan Dedalus on 16 June, 1904), and a useful index. Very highly recommended.


Related Vacation Book Subjects: VacationBookReview iraq isle of man Carlow Cavan Clare Connacht Cork Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow
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