This book is a collection of 24 fantasy stories written by Irish authors, all set in an Irish milieu. Some of the greatest names in Irish literature are represented, such as W. B. Yeats and James Joyce, but all of the authors are respected Irish authors, such as Sinead de Valera and Peter Tremayne. Here are stories of god and heroes, of angels and devils, of cruel cunning and courageous feats of arms.

In general I have found that anthologies are usually a mixed bag, with most good, but with a few stinkers included to round it out. This book surprised me with its excellence. I deeply enjoyed the stories of Cuculain and Oisin. However, the best two are also the last two. The Devil and Democracy by Brian Cleeve tells the story of the Devil dealing with a communist revolution in Hell ("I proclaim the Eternal Liberty of the Imps and Sinners Soviet Republic!"), while The Last Warrior Quest by Peter Tremayne tells the story of an aging warrior of Ui Duach on his last quest. This final story was written exclusively for this book, and will not soon be found anywhere else.

So, if you are interested in stories of Irish heroes and gods, then I can't recommend this anthology enough. It is an excellent book!

This is a wonderfully thorough and readable scholarly study of women of power in Irish legend and literature: also a fascinating description of how myths are modified to serve the needs of different historical eras. The price of the book is unfortunate. A paperback edition would probably sell well to readers interested in Irish studies or in women's studies.

This is a gnetle, astonsihing book. It was written in the 1930's, about farm life in Ireland. It describes in the most poetic of language the life and times in a year of the author running a medium sized farm in midlands Ireland. The author's sheer love of the land, and of nature bursts trough continually, yet he never loses sight of the realities of farm life. It's full of charming detail.

The complex politics of the Irish revolt against the English is brought into a new light by Robert Kee. Kee manages to describe the failures and successes of Irish nationalism over the centuries in an exceedingly readable book. The Green Flag consists of three volumes ending in 1973 and so does not cover the recent conflict. It is still one of the best books ever written on Irish history.

This is a famous and well reputed book. It has been in print now for almost 30 years-deservedly so I might add. I suspect it will still be in print another 30 years from now.
Robert Kee was a journalist and a famous World War 2 P.O.W. escapee. He writes lucidly and with great style, eloquence even. Yet above all his books are a darn good read. This book is vividly written, fleshed out with characters and facts that are dispassionatly but richly detailed.
This book follows the course of Irish nationalism from the distant past of the Tudor wars and Anglo-Scottish Settlements up through the rise of DeVelera.
Its true strength is in parts two and three which recount, in great detail, the growth of Irish nationalist sentiment (and rebellion) and land reform/Catholic emancipation, during the 19th Century. Kee demonstrates clearly the ever so slight, but vital, strand of personal connection that linked Wolfe Tones' United Irishmen to Emmet, Parnell, the Fenians and eventually the I.R.A..
Part three details the rise of the Nationalist cause in the wake of Parnell's fall and the rise of the I.R.B./I.R.A. in the late Victorian era up through the Civil war of the 1920s. This book painted very clearly the horror of the Black and Tan war as well as the subsequently even more nasty Irish civil war.
Up until the 1970s a great many people in Ireland would not even speak to each other because of the bitterness engendered by the latter conflict. It spawned Ireland's two major parties and the emotions, recriminations and even hatred caused by the Collins/DeVelera conflict still has significant effect today. This era also shaped the course of the present day three I.R.A.s (Provisional,"Real" and "Stickie").
This book does not deal with the Present Ulster 'troubles' at all. But you can not understand them, nor modern Ireland without reading this book.
Above all, this book was written in a 'neutral' fashion, by an outsider, who deeply loved his subject. It lacks the usual bombast of many other slanted histories. At the same time none of the drama, emotion, glory nor hatred are lost in the telling.
To illustrate what I mean by the above review: in 1987 I asked a series of Irish politicians of all persuasions what history book would still be in print in 2037 and what volumes would they use if they had to teach Irish history to a class at Harvard. Every politician (except the Rev.Ian Paisley) mentioned this book.

If anyone wants to sell me this book, please reply. Thank you !

O'Connor's detailed approach to the subject of geneaology in County Kerry would be valuable to everyone from the new reseacher to the professional researcher. He explores each avenue of information allowing the researcher to discern its usefulness for him/herself. A Must have for those who have reached a "brick wall" in their own persuits!

This hardcover is decorated throughout with Celtic designs and script. It would make a great St. Patrick's Day gift.

The 228 Irish proverbs are arranged according to what they involve. Proverbs involving horses are collected together, for example, regardless of the advice given. The same goes for marriage, whiskey, hunger and other items. As the author says, Irish proverbs often have a sting in their tails and you can't rely on them to be tame and polite.

Each group of proverbs is illustrated by a story, some of which seem more relevant than others. The stories range from Celtic mythology through feudal times through rebellion to the present day. You'll meet a fairy princess, a lovesick wizard, some bad-tempered warriors, a pirate queen, a child ghost, a doomed patriot and a woman attacked by a swan in a public park. Some stories are sad, some are funny. All are entertaining.

I was fortunate enough to tour some of London's haunted sites with Richard Jones a few years ago and his first book, "Walking Haunted London," brought back enjoyable memories of that tour. His second book covers a wider area and includes stories of genuine hauntings from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Jones' style is crisp and readable and each tale is accompanied by atmospheric black-and-white photos. The author's fascination with ghosts (which he believes are mostly "place memories") is apparent. A coffee-table book that is likely to be well-thumbed.

I think The Haunting of Kildoran Abbey is a good book for anyone to read, because it's showing kids working together to help their people during a time of need.