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lapazfarm
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I need some recommendations for a good living book set in Ireland. YA-high school level.
(ETA: Not about St Patrick. We have done him a lot already.)
Thanks!
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Theresa
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Mackfam
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I've not read any of these, Theresa, so I can't review them for you except to say that they're far from St. Patrick. These are all YA/high school age novels. Perhaps the list is enough to get you started....
** Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth, 18th century - Irish life
** Rory O'More by Samuel Lover, 18th century - Originally a ballad rewritten as a novel, the Irish uprisings of 1798
** Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dragoon by Charles Lever, 19th century - Set from 1808-12 during the Napoleonic Wars (at archive.org)
** Destiny Bay by Donn Byrne, 19th/20th century - Humorous, short stories based on the MacFarlane family who lived in northern Ireland
** Hangman's House by Donn Byrne, 20th century - reflects centuries of English oppression
** The Water is Wide, A Novel of Ireland by Elizabeth Gibson, 20th century - set in 1969 amidst civil war in Ireland, the book deals with a University student's prejudice, dealing with Catholic-Protestant conflict in Ireland
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Jen Mackintosh
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lapazfarm
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Thanks, Jen. I will check these out.
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JennGM
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Gwen (Momwise) suggested years ago The Farm by Lough Gur by Mary Carbery.
She described the book in 2007 Book Club list:
Momwise wrote:
| The Farm by Lough Gur...Finished just during Lent. This book is a sort of Irish version of the Around the Year book by Maria von Trapp, although on a little more earthy level. Sissy O'Brien grew up on the family farm in Lough Gur during the mid-1800s, along with her siblings, parents and the household help. Mother ran the household, father cared for the land and animals, each with his/her trusted servants; the farm was self-sufficient in spinning, weaving, soap-making, food, herbal remedies, etc.; parents always cared for the less fortunate renters on the property, i.e. the sick, orphaned, poor, etc.; those in need always received something at the door...in fact there was a special place for them to be received and eat and drink and it seems there were visitors and travellers very frequently. There was a Rosary recited in the kitchen for everyone each night, servants included, except on All Saints' day when the Litany of the Dead was prayed. Lots more of those little tidbits. |
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A family I know that lived in Ireland shared a collection of stories entitled God's Fairy Tales by Enid Dinnis. I think it might be hard to find, but just in case.
How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill is interesting to read, not a living book, but really sets up some of the impact that Ireland has made on history.
Would you be interested in saints books? (Not St. Patrick)?
I read a terrific Irish trilogy years ago and I can't remember the title or the author, but I have asked my friend to jog my memory. I'll be back with that when I hear from her. It really is terrific.
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JennGM
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Also wanted to point out this site: Catholic Authors. These are authors around 50s and 60s. Their search engine doesn't work, but googling the site I found several authors you might want to explore.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Mackfam
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JennGM wrote:
Would you be interested in saints books? (Not St. Patrick)?
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Ah! Jenn reminded me!
Wisdom of the Celtic Saints by Edward Sellner
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Jen Mackintosh
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lapazfarm
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I think I may have found a few things. My son says he is most interested in the whole IRA, Michael Collins, Bloody Sunday stuff, so that's where my focus has turned at this point. I have a few sample chapters on my Kindle to review including this one Bloody Sunday which sounds oddly interesting (Michael Collins and time-travelling US Marines? Hmm...) (ETA: Nope. Not a good choice.)
I know I didn't ask about movies, but we will probably get the movie Michael Collins from Netflix. It's got Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts and Alan Rickman so it should be good, right? Also The Wind that Shakes the Barley has good reviews, though I understand the historical authenticity is questionable.
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Theresa
Not a living book but so readable, I have and more importantly have read  History of Ireland - Miss Corner. I learnt so much about Ireland reading this little gem. Written in the 1880s, but I note they have been republished! Part of the 'Histories for the Junior Classes' series, Corner's Historical Library for Youth, Schools and families.
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What about The Dubliners? I read that in high school myself and really liked it. I remember that there was also a movie back then.
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The Island of Horses
Under the Hawthorn Tree
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lapazfarm
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Thanks for all of the suggestions, ladies! I am checking them all out!
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This is definitely not in line with your son's interest in pursuing an understanding of the IRA, Theresa (  ), but I thought I'd keep adding to this thread for the future.
Bold Blades of Donegal by Seamus MacManus - In this novel an Irish boy gets into as much mischief as Tom Sawyer. True picture of young Ireland with all its fun and poverty.
The book was recommended in Prose and Poetry for Appreciation, St. Thomas More Edition in the Essay: Holy Ireland by Joyce Kilmer.
Holy Ireland is a moving essay all by itself, bringing WWI and the war embroiled France to life through Mr. Kilmer's vivid remembrances. In the essay, a raggedy group of soldiers, exhausted from the day's hike, find themselves staying for the night in a widow woman's home. For an evening, they enjoy the family's company, discovering their shared Catholic faith. Though Ireland isn't the predominant theme of this essay, it is a key part of the remembrance and reflection in this essay.
The essay portrays the beautiful charity and kindness offered amidst a war which brought grief and suffering. In the end, it is the company's sergeant, Sergeant Reilly, from Ireland, that recognizes within the kind woman that hosted the company for the night, a remembrance of the same type of kind-hearted, deeply faithful women like his mother from "the Old Country" (Ireland). Touching.
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Walter Macken is the author I was trying to remember. He had a trilogy of Irish historical fiction:
Seek the Fair Land set in 1640, Cromwellian time.
The Silent People, set in 1826 onward
Scorching Wind , set in early 1900s
Another enjoyable one by him is Rain on the Wind, which I have not read, but my friend liked it even better than the Trilogy.
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lapazfarm wrote:
| I know I didn't ask about movies, but we will probably get the movie Michael Collins from Netflix. It's got Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts and Alan Rickman so it should be good, right? Also The Wind that Shakes the Barley has good reviews, though I understand the historical authenticity is questionable. |
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I've seen both movies and they are both moving. The second one is certainly more violent, so I'd watch it without any younger ones around (I think there are several bloody murders and possibly a rape scene?). Still a good movie though. My opinion is a bit biased, though, since my grandfather was fighting for the Irish National Army in the early 20s and was stationed where Michael Collins was. 
You might want to direct him towards the Easter Rising (1916) and perhaps some of the songs that rose out of that time period (Foggy Dew).
I just saw there is a memoir by Michael Collins called The Path to Freedom, $2.00 for Kindle at Amazon. Might be interesting to read.
Valerie
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leanne maree
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I am resurrecting this thread...
dd-15 is wanting to study Ireland next..
I hit the search button on this forum...thanks Ladies you have really helped.
I have one more to add.
Ireland a history
This was my very first book I ever read when I met my Irish Husband in London..
There was a documentary made about it..years ago..
on the dvd.."The wind that shook the Barley..I Would definitely say it was Authentic but very very violent..In fact we saw it at the movies on its release date - My Dh and I- and I got rather upset in the first 2 minutes.
I wouldn't recomend it at all.
There are 2 lovely movies that I would recommend.
into the West
Into the west
About gypsy travellers and there culture.
Another is the Secret of Roan Inish
The srect of Roan Inish
Now I have a very complete plan for DD. She wants to learn Gaelic as well.
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Leanne
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lapazfarm
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I would like to add this excellent title to the list:
Black Potatoes :The story of the great Irish famine
Very readable for non-fiction, excellent illustrations, compelling stories. Recommended for upper elementary through high school.
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leanne maree
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oooooh another good one..
i will add it to my list.
thanks Theresa
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Leanne
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Ireland-need recommendation please
