# Books on Ireland - recommendations please **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2007, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848 "2007-12-31T22:55:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rexnervous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2007, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/1 "2007-12-31T22:55:48Z")
In initial planning stages for a visit to Ireland this spring, and want to get acquainted with the history of Ireland so I have some context for the sightseeing my fiancee and I will be doing. Plus, the reading will help plan the itinerary. Need some suggestions on a book or two to read to get an understanding of Irish history. While I’d like to get to know all of it (on a very basic level) my preference is for the “ancient” history stuff, rather than say a focus on the Irish/British issues. Am leaning towards a “castle and scenery” visit rather than a “pub and The Troubles” visit (plus, seeing as I don’t drink, I’m afraid the pub thing won’t do as much for me.) So…any thoughts? Thanks in advance… ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2008, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/2 "2008-01-01T01:34:08Z")
If you want ancient you want Early Ireland: An Introduction to Irish Prehistory by Michael J O’Kelly. He was an archaeologist in the 50-60s. The book is expensive though, $60 from amazon, but very good, that’s what the first year students used when I studied there. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/3 "2008-01-01T01:51:15Z")
Great stories with a touch (or more than a touch) of history and legends? Try Morgan Llewellyn. She is great. I especially liked _Lion of Ireland_ and _Bard_. She writes both novels and historical fiction. ---
**Author:** ![rexnervous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2008, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/4 "2008-01-01T14:33:28Z")
Thanks for both suggestions. Yes, historical fiction is perfect as well. My Mom gave me [Princes of Ireland](http://www.amazon.com/Princes-Ireland-Dublin-Saga/dp/0770429076/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199197949&sr=8-1) some time back but I think I started it, then dropped it. Maybe I"ll try it again… ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/5 "2008-01-01T14:34:53Z")
I too enjoyed Lion of Ireland. (Bard less so, but it was OK.) ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/6 "2008-01-01T17:14:06Z")
Malachy McCourt’s [History of Ireland](http://www.amazon.com/Malachy-McCourts-History-Ireland-McCourt/dp/B0007ZNVEA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199207491&sr=8-5) . Currently in hardcover, due out in paperback at the end of this month. I was fascinated by the historical figures who shaped Ireland’s history. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/7 "2008-01-01T17:39:30Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/8 "2008-01-02T14:11:06Z")
Somehow I don’t think [this](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deeds-Normans-Ireland-Engleis-Yrlande/dp/1851826432/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199281047&sr=1-19) is what you’re looking for! Something like the _Oxford Book of Irish History_, which is a good reference book, or a books of myths and legends like _Over Nine Waves_ by Marie Heaney might be more to your taste. If you plan to come up North for some castles and scenery may I make some suggestions of what to see? The Giant’s Causeway is a must. The Navan Fort tourist thingy is OK There are a few castle type things, including Carrickfergus castle, Dundrum castle and Devenish Island monastery. There are quite a few [forest parks](http://www.totaltravel.co.uk/travel/northern-ireland/directory/gardens) and Glens of Antrim and the Mourne Mountains are nice if you want some scenery or walking. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/9 "2008-01-02T14:37:18Z")
Before we visited Ireland, I bought the Michelin Guide and marked it with Post-It tabs of the things we thought we’d want to see. In no time, the book was bristling with Day-Glo slips of paper. I recommend the Michelin Guide as a good basic intro to the sites. they tell you where they are, show what they look like, give you maps, and a little basic history. After that, your choice of guides depends on your interests. Pepper Mill really wanted to see megalithic stone circles, so I bought a book on prehistoric Cel;tic Ireland. If you want to tour Dublin for the authors, read James Joyce or Jonathan Swift or George Bernard Shaw, or whoever interests you. If you want to see the Vook of Kells, there are boooks on that. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/10 "2008-01-02T15:23:40Z")
To get pedantic, Irish History only began with Irish literacy. Which came with Christianity. (And St Pat was not the only missionary–or even the first one.) Which leaves a scant few centuries until various Troubles begin–Vikings, Normans, etc. So we need to begin with archaeology & legend. One excellent source is not a book, but a PBS series. [_In Search of Ancient Ireland_](http://www.amazon.com/Search-Ancient-Ireland-Over/dp/B00078XGRY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1199285420&sr=8-1) reviews the most recent educated guesses on Irish beginnings, with a minimum of Celtic Mist. _[The Atlantean Irish](http://www.lilliputpress.ie/listbook.html?oid=2733139): Ireland’s Oriental & Maritime Heritage_ may not be for beginners, but this delightful book is a personal favorite. (Note: “Atlantean” does **not** refer to Atlantis!) The author is an inspired amateur, but Barry Cunliffe, Big Kahuna of European Archaeology, wrote the preface. From my extensive armchair traveller library, I’d recommend _[A Field Guide](http://www.lilliputpress.ie/listbook.html?oid=2732983) to the Buildings of Ireland: Illustrating the Smaller Buildings of Town & Countryside_. (This & the previous book are available through [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com), but the publisher’s site is more informative.) _[The Independent Walker’s Guide to Ireland](http://www.amazon.com/Independent-Walkers-Guide-Ireland-Countryside/dp/1566562880/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199286864&sr=8-1): 35 Memorable Walks in Ireland’s Green Countryside_ is also promising. What looks interesting? Backtrack & find the applicable historical background. One authority on more recent stuff is _[Modern Ireland](http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Ireland-1600-1972-Penguin-history/dp/0140132503/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199287045&sr=1-1): 1600-1972_. Large, rather dry & chock full of Troubles. Read this one if you decide to get serious. But seriousness is overrated. ---
**Author:** ![rexnervous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/11 "2008-01-02T22:30:06Z")
Some great ideas here - never even thought of getting a DVD, but that would certainly interest my fiancee more I think. Michelin Guide sounds like a good one as well. I’m really looking for more of a “beginner’s history” - if I love it, I’ll read more later. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/12 "2008-01-17T02:50:50Z")
For light reading on the plane or the like I recommend \*A Short History Of Ireland \*(published By Gill & McMillan but not sure who the author is). ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/13 "2008-01-17T12:36:01Z")
[QUOTE=irishgirl] The Giant’s Causeway is a must. The Navan Fort tourist thingy is OK [/QUOTE] I’ve been to them too and they’re alright, but more in a “we’re driving past, lets stop for a bit” way. The [Rock of Cashel](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_of_cashel) is probably the best castle we stopped to look around on our way down to Cork for our annual holidays (when we used to take those dreadful trips). ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/14 "2008-01-17T16:31:22Z")
[QUOTE=rexnervous] Am leaning towards a “castle and scenery” visit rather than a “pub and The Troubles” visit (plus, seeing as I don’t drink, I’m afraid the pub thing won’t do as much for me.) So…any thoughts? Thanks in advance… [/QUOTE] Other folks have covered the book recommendations better than I could, but I’m going to toss in a couple of thoughts from my two trips to Ireland. First, my wife and I found on both trips that in the countryside, particularly on the west coast, you can hardly swing a dead cat without hitting some kind of ruin, abandoned castle, what have you. Sometimes they are out in the middle of a cow pasture and not it any guidebook. So you’re definitely going to want to spend some time out west. We avoided the touristy castles for the most part, opting to try to find the out-of-the-way places. Sometimes it was tricky to find them, but usually well worth it. Case in point: [Kell’s Priory](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kells_Priory) It took us a while to find the right entrance to this place, but when we did, it was AMAZING. We probably spent and hour or so exploring around and it was _completely deserted_. No one else showed up and we had the whole place to ourselves (except for the sheep and rooks). Also, I don’t drink either, but don’t pass up the pubs. Find the right place and you’ll be treated to some of the best music you’ve ever heard. (If you’re interested in a good trad session, you must go to Doolin, fairly close to the Cliffs of Moher, a major tourist attraction that you should visit despite its touristy-ness for amazing scenery). Folks are generally extremely friendly as well. I did have one Guinness while I was there, because you really have to, even if you hate beer like me. Sorry to gush, but I loved every minute of my Ireland trips and would go back in a second if I could! Disclaimer: I’ve only been to the Republic, so none of my comments should be taken to be about Northern Ireland, about which I know next to nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/15 "2008-01-17T19:58:07Z")
[QUOTE=ShadowFacts] Disclaimer: I’ve only been to the Republic, so none of my comments should be taken to be about Northern Ireland, about which I know next to nothing. [/QUOTE] What’re you saying about my wee country? :dubious: But seriously, we’re probably not as geared towards tourism as they are across the border and what we have is like Ireland-lite. The glens, the castles, the cliffs are all there, just a bit smaller. Come to Northern Ireland if you like beer, golf and the Troubles. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/16 "2008-01-17T21:00:04Z")
[QUOTE=Pushkin] What’re you saying about my wee country? :dubious: But seriously, we’re probably not as geared towards tourism as they are across the border and what we have is like Ireland-lite. The glens, the castles, the cliffs are all there, just a bit smaller. Come to Northern Ireland if you like beer, golf and the Troubles. [/QUOTE] Northern Ireland has an interesting [tourism site](http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/). There are some excellent ancient sites, for example. Big news from Belfast: Ikea opened last December! ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-on-ireland-recommendations-please/431848/17 "2008-01-18T08:09:46Z")
[QUOTE=Pushkin] Come to Northern Ireland if you like beer, golf and the Troubles. [/QUOTE] Pwon! You guys suck. I heard even a DUP representitive turned up at a GAA game. Hook, line and whale oil beef hooked. Shazam! 🙂 Akshally, IMHO Norn Iron has more beauteous locations and sounder folk than most of the rest of Ireland combined.