While my love of and fascination with the rich history of the emerald isle led me to scribble my humble new tome (Fuck You I’m Irish, available from Amazon and other fine book retailers), I am far from the first author to turn his attention on this endlessly fascinating country. Lately, I’ve taken to reviewing those Irish-focused books that catch my fancy and posting those reviews on my Goodreads account. Here now I present a handful of those reviews, in hopes stoking your curiosity about all things Ireland, and sharing even more of this island’s rich history!

The Feckin’ Book of Everything Irish: A Gansey-Load of Deadly Craic for Cute Hoors and Bowsies

by Colin Murphy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A barrel of laughs and an encyclopedia’s worth of facts. Those who are Irish will smile in wry recognition; those who aren’t will wonder how one nation could be so feckin’-bleedin’-mighty!

A concise yet thorough journey through the many twists and turns in Ireland’s story. Chocked full of detail, yet an easy and enjoyable read.

Perhaps the most influential and widely-read contemporary account of The Great Famine. Provides an unparalleled account of the widespread after-effects of Black ’47–both in Ireland and throughout the far-flung Irish diaspora.

And what a story it is! Hegarty brings this complex, meandering tale of misfortune, hope, and dogged determination to life with the grace of a true Irish storyteller combined with razor-sharp analysis

A book that richly deserves its incredible success. Learn how a band of monastic communities on an island mercifully isolated from the constant conflicts of the Dark Ages catalogued and protected vast amounts of information in many branches of knowledge–that would otherwise have been lost. An entertaining (and hugely informative)read.

View all my reviews