Books Irish Heritage Irish culture and customs

Motherland : Writings By Irish American Women About Mothers And Daughters
by Caledonia Kearns

A must read for all Irish women. Especially endearing was the story called "Trinity" written by Kerry Herlihy. A moving book. Click here for Motherland.

I'll Know It When I See It
by Alice Carey

A New Yorker searches for the elusive place her mother called "Home". Written with humour, depth and honesty, the author lifts her book from the normal run of "unhappy childhood" sagas by concentrating on the good things that happened to her and by minimizing the hardship and physical brutality. Source: The Irish Emigrant
Click here for I'll Know it...

The Irish in America
Edited by Michael Coffey & Terry Golway

A multitude of personal accounts from families, priests, entertainers, politicians and many others recall how we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and did what needed to do to survive, flourish and prosper in the New World.
Click here for Irish in America

Midlife Irish:
Discovering My Family and Myself

by Frank Gannon

A tangy, tasty Irish stew that mixes memories with mythology and facts with fables, there's also lighthearted lilt as the author compares places and people to American life. A very funny book.
Click here for Midlife Irish

Thu, Mar 27, 2008

Irish Furze

Called whin in the north and gorse in the east, furze was once a symbol of wealth and fertility of land as is emphasized by the saying: "gold under furze, silver under rushes and famine under heather."

As indigenous to the early summer landscape as rhododendrons, it is despised by farmers because of its invasive properties; but in the past, it had many good uses.

It ignites quickly, so it was used for starting the fire: it was also used for cleaning the chimney, tilling the soil, dyeing wool and fabric, and as a flavouring for whiskey (which may have improved its rating with the farmers!). It had medicinal powers and its magical powers were undisputed in preventing the good people from stealing the butter on May day. And, at mid-summer, blazing branches were carried round the herd to bring good health to the cows for the coming year.

Click for More Culture Corner.

Can't Find it?!

Our Library is compiled from what we know and like. If you can't find what you're looking for read on.
• First: go to Amazon -
There's no escaping the fact that they are the largest catalog.
Note: There are multiple Amazons and they do not carry exactly the same items. Any one of the U.S., U.K. and Canada sites may not have the item but another Amazon will. Each site will ship anywhere in the world. Try them all before you give up.
Click here for Amazon.US.
Click here for Amazon.UK.
Click here for Amazon.Canada.
• Second: Amazon doesn't have it? Try Powells. They are the largest book source in New York and they have a good selection of 'out of print' books. Click here for Powells.
This link brings you to a list of 600 Irish titles; if you're looking for something else, just Search.
• Third: Still can't find It? Alright, try ALibris they are the place for 'books you never thought you'd find'. We've found everything we were after. Click here for ALibris.
• Last: Nothing Worked?
E-Mail us, we'll give it a go. Click for Russ & Bridget.

Celtic Bookmark

Elegant bookmark is made of silver over pewter. It measures 3" x 1". When in use, the pretty Celtic design sticks out of your book. Or choose Trinity Knot or Celtic Heart.

Click for Celtic Book mark.

This Web Site Bashed, Kicked & Glued together by Russ Haggerty.