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Notes from a Coma
by Mike McCormack
Rescued from the squalor of a Romanian orphanage, and adopted by the rural community of west Mayo, the child that is named J.J. O'Malley should have grown up happy. The boy has no gift for it, though, and his new life has a brutal way of giving him plenty to be unhappy about." Eventually JJ suffers a mental breakdown and volunteers for an improbable government project which has been set up to explore the possibility of using deep coma as a future option within the EU penal system. When his coma goes online the nation turns to watch and JJ is suddenly elevated to the status of cultural icon. Sex symbol, existential hero, T-shirt philosopher - his public now threatens to obscure the man himself. The ultimate reality show! Edited from a great review by Pat Mullan of Co. Galway.
Click here for Notes from a Coma.
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Harry Potter - move over. Twelve-year old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius, and a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy - Captain Holly Short. The author describes his own work as "Die Hard, with fairies" and this is his first in a series of books which have all been best-sellers in Ireland.
Click here for Artemis Fowl.
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The author travels the byways of old Ireland, tracing the pagan calendar of the Celtic year, and exploring the Irish fierce love of poetry. She makes a poet's circuit as well as a journey into the spiritual and ancestral past- and present- and from Connacht and Ulster to Leinster and Munster, she proves to be the perfect guide, introducing long-departed ancestors and a land in which the human, the natural, and the divine come together. The result is an utterly enchanting walking meditation. Adapted from a review by June Sawyers, American Library Association.
Click here for Red-Haired Girl.
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Brendan O'Carroll cooks up a story as unpretentious and satisfying as a home-cooked meal. Michael Porter, NY Times Book Review.
Click here for The Mammy
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Based on the true story of the beautiful Irishwoman Eliza Lynch, who briefly became the richest woman in the world. The book is set in the 1860s and opens in Paris - with Eliza in bed with Francisco Solano Lopez - heir to the untold wealth of Paraguay. The result of their congress will send her across the Atlantic: leading a caravan of servants, clothes, jewellery and champagne on the regal voyage down the River Parana to claim her glorious future in Asuncion.
Click here for Eliza Lynch.
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Nothing Simple
by Lia Mills
When Ray left Ireland to follow Dermot to America, she had her doubts about moving. But Dermot convinced her that their future lay together and she was too young and too much in love to fight. So they settled in a hot and murky Texan suburb where nothing turned out to be quite what they hoped. Now, ten years and four children later, recession has taken the heart out of Texas. Dermot's career like their marriage has stalled, and he says that the family has to move back to Dublin. Hmmm....
Click here for Nothing Simple.
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If You Could See Me Now
by Cecelia Ahern
From the author of international bestseller P.S., I Love You comes this lively and romantic novel about two lost souls who find each other in the most unexpected way. Set in a quaint Irish town, this modern-day fairy tale is absolutely magical.
Click here for If You Could See Me Now.
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Somewhere off the west coast of Ireland lies Inis Murúch-the Island of the Mermaids-a world where myth is more powerful that truth and where the sea sings with the healing and haunting voices of women. It is here that Lisa Carey sets her lyrical first novel, weaving together the voices and lives of three generations of Irish and Irish-American women.
Click here for Mermaids Singing.
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A brilliant first novel and a rollicking read from beginning to end.
Click here for Dyke Duffy.
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This is the Country
by William Wall
Wall is an eloquent master of narrative and description. His landscapes are almost tactile. He captures the touch and smell and the visual elements of Ireland and the sea until you almost see what he's writing about. But his books also have powerful plots. His hero is hateful and loveable by turns and you end up hoping against hope that everything will work out, even though you know from the first chapter that it can't be. Or at least you think you know from the beginning that it can't be... Edited from an amazon review
Click here for This is the Country.
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Maeve Binchy Set
The Lilac Bus/Firefly Summer/Silver Wedding
Best-selling Irish writer Maeve Binchy has been acclaimed by critics and readers alike for her heartwarming, beautifully crafted takes celebrating Ireland, its people, and the journey of life itself. Now three of her finest, most memorable works have been brought together for the first time in an outstanding collection that shines with the luminescent storytelling that has earned the author international renown.
For more details or to order, please click Maeve Binchy Set.
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Notes from a Turkish Whorehouse
by Philip O Ceallaigh
In this first collection of stories, Philip O Ceallaigh creates a world that is utterly original and yet immediately recognizable; a world of ordinary people grappling with work and idleness, ambition and frustration, wildness and sobriety, love and lust and decay. Scabrously honest, screamingly funny and beautifully crafted, this debut collection has been described as brilliant, masterful and truly superb. In the words of Wicklow writer Anne Enright, the author "gives us not just a new voice, but a whole new literary space. It lies somewhere between Ireland and Eastern Europe, a place where characters live out his harsh and careful fables about men's failure to love women."
Note: this is readily available from Amazon UK. They have some at Amazon US, but not many. Click here for Notes from a Turkish Whorehouse.
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The Book
Potion, Pope and Perfidy
by Russ Haggerty
This is my novel. It is largely, but not completely Irish. The detective is Irish. The book was created by an Irish monk and a great deal of the story is in Ireland. I think you'll enjoy it.
DO NOT order through the marketplace. If you do you'll get the first version, which is incomplete. It's available on Amazon here.
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Click here for Books by category:
Fiction | Classics | Heritage | History | The Troubles | Sports | Scenic | Humour | Folklore/Superstitions | Blessings & Prayers | Quotes & Trivia | Animals | Literature | Kitchen & Food | Kids Stories | Travel | Poetry | Weddings | Genealogy | Biographical | Crafts | Christmas | Irish Dancing | Miscellaneous | Irish Language | Supernatural | Irish America | Music
Fiction Page: 2 {Previous}{Next}
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Thu, Apr 4, 2024
 Ilnacullen, Co. Cork - an Island Garden
Located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. Ilnacullin, which means island of holly, is a small island known to horticulturists and lovers of trees and shrubs all around the world as an island garden of rare beauty.
The vivid colours of Rhododendrons and Azaleas reach their peak during May and June, whilst the hundreds of cultivars of climbing plants, herbaceous perennials and choice shrubs dominate the midsummer period from June to August.
Because of its sheltered situation and the warming oceanic influence of the Gulf Stream, the climate is favourable to the growth of ornamental plants from many parts of the world.
Even for those who aren’t particularly interested in gardens, there are many other scenic views, especially in the surrounding waters where seals frequent the rocks on the southern shore.
The cover photo on Bridget's book The Traditional Irish Wedding shows a wrought iron garden gate on Ilnaculen. I took that photo. To see it, go to the home page. It's part of the opening paragraph Failte.
—Russ
Resource: Copy and Image - Cork Guide
Click for More Culture Corner.
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 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.
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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.
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The Book Library
