ONE hundred or more years ago, when Arthur Young first wrote his journal of a tour in Ireland, those who had IrelandÍs welfare most at heart deplored the fact that ñher greatness was still practically unexplored, and the early history of her brighter days excited no interest even among her own people.î Doctor Johnson felt this himself when he wrote, ñI have long wished that Irish literature were cultivated, as Ireland is known by tradition to be a seat of piety and learning, ... and surely it would be very acceptable to be further informed regarding a people at once so ancient and illustrious.î It has been said, too, " the words are taken from the mouth of a poor parish priest, " that ñthe Celt is melting like the snow: he lingers in little patches in the corner of the field, and hands are stretched on every side. It is human to stretch hands to fleeting things, but as well might we try to retain the snow.î
Have you ever wanted to press the escape button on your life? Ruth Davenport writes about romance and happily ever after. But not from experience. After a heartbreaking rejection, she decides a change of scenery is needed. On a whim, she thinks Ireland is the place to go to write her next book. But when she arrives, everything that can go wrong, does. In the middle of the night, she lands on the doorstep of an Irish pub in the middle of nowhere belonging to an enigmatic Irishman. Sean Hughes needs a woman under his roof like he needs a hole in the head. His policy is to steer clear of all women in general. Besides, he’s too busy running a pub and getting his dream business up off the ground. He has no time to be helping pretty tourists. But he needs some quick cash and she needs accommodation. A deal is struck that suits them both. As they spend more time together, they begin to see the other in a different light. Can they overcome their fears and take a chance on happiness? Read the rest of the books in the Escape to Ireland series. Her Fake Irish Husband Her Irish Inheritance A Match for the Matchmaker
Romance writer Jennifer Graham heads to Dublin for a two month research trip and to heal from a recent breakup. There she meets Ian Shephard and their attraction is immediate. Neither one, though, is looking for a relationship, so they'll just be friends, right?
“A sweeping historical love story that hits all the marks.” –Publisher’s Weekly starred review Your feet will bring you to where your heart is. Ireland 1846. With Ireland ravaged by famine and England unsympathetic to its plight, Kathleen Deacey faces a devastating choice – leave her country to find work or risk dying there. Despising the English for refusing to help Ireland, she crosses the ocean to support her family and search for her missing fiancé. But when her voyage goes awry, she must accept help from an English whaling captain, Jack Montgomery, who represents everything she despises – and with whom she is reluctantly falling in love. As Kathleen fights to save her family in Ireland, she finds herself facing yet another devastating choice – remain loyal to her country or follow her heart. Award-winning author Pamela Ford captures the anguish of a devastating period in Irish history and delivers an historical saga of hope, loyalty, the strength of the human spirit, and the power of love. With more than a half million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is known for creating stories that are emotional and moving. Gold Medal Winner, IPPY Awards · Finalist, National Readers’ Choice Awards · Finalist, Maggie Awards for Excellence · Finalist, Kindle Book Awards Praise for To Ride a White Horse: 5 STARS. "Expertly drawn characters that stole my heart. The writing is superb...a larger than life novel...captivating, breathtaking." –A Night's Dream of Books 5 STARS. "Endearing...pulls you in from the first page and never loses momentum." –Mom in Love with Fiction 5 STARS. “I absolutely loved it...it was hard to put down.” –Ms Nose in a Book 5 STARS. "So long as there are books this good, I shall continue to shun TV...a hearty recommendation to get this book." –Gspotsylvania 5 STARS. "The story line was riveting, and the characters were fresh, well-developed, and enticing." –Books and Bindings 5 STARS. "I loved To Ride a White Horse...it was written beautifully...I fell in love with Kathleen and Jack.” –Books like Breathing 5 STARS. "A page turner...a wonderful story of personal choices, tragedy, kindness, forgiveness, and the power of faith and love!" –Rockin' Book Reviews 5 STARS. "I read the first chapter and was hooked. I didn’t want to stop." –Every Free Chance blog "Utterly compelling...I found myself caring about the characters in big ways...unable to put it down." –Novel Escapes "Wonderful... Ford writes with a lyrical quality that sweeps you into the story...a lovely story." –All the Reads "A superbly crafted romance/adventure novel...highly recommended." –Midwest Book Review
A heart-warming story about family secrets and one woman's escape to dreamy Sandy Cove on the stunning west coast of Ireland. The picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she'd be. But having just lost everything, the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie is the only place she can take her daughter, Sunny. Hidden away in a tiny Irish village, she can protect Sunny from the gossip in Dublin, and the real reason they have nowhere else to live... The cottage is part of the old coastguard station and other eccentric residents are quick to introduce themselves when Lydia arrives. Lydia instantly feels less alone, fascinated by the stories they have about Nellie, and she's charmed by American artist, Jason O'Callaghan, the mysterious man who lives next door. But the longer Lydia relaxes under the moonlit sky, the more the secret she's keeping from Sunny threatens to come out. And as she finds herself running into Jason's arms, she knows she must be honest and face up to the past she has tried to forget. Has she finally found people who will truly accept her, or will the truth force her to leave the cottage for good? Will transport you to Ireland to relax on the shore and stare at the perfect emerald waters. The Lost Girls of Ireland is perfect for readers of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O'Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe. What readers are saying about Susanne O'Leary: 'I couldn't put this down! Absolutely delightful!... Great read on a rainy day or a vacation read!!!! Loved this!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'I really wish I was still reading this book... I suppose I had to run out of pages at some point, at the rate I was devouring them... Perfect for these hot summer days... A pure joy to read... fabulous.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Stunning... once you begin it you won't be able to put it down... This heart-warming read is full of love, relationships and second chances.' Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars 'I soon became addicted to reading this beautiful story and I couldn't turn those pages fast enough... An emotional rollercoaster ride.' Ginger Book Geek, 5 stars 'A totally captivating book from the first page, I laugh
This book is a personal record of the ever-present charms of Ireland which have uniquely permeated its history, its romance, and its literature, based on the authors' impressions of this country and inspired by their belief that are a large number of interested people who would be glad to have an attractive presentation of some of the sights, scenes, historical, and romantic beauties of Ireland. The aim of the book was not to approach the completeness of an historical record, it fills, rather, the gap which lies between, in view of the greater interest which is daily being shown in all things relating to Ireland – its literature, its history, its architecture, and its arts. Volume 1: Introductory A Travel Chapter The Land and Its People Romance and Sentiment Religious Art and Architecture The Scotch-Irish Blend Irish Industries Dublin and About There Kilkenny to Cork Harbour Volume 2: Queenstown, Cork, and Blarney Glengarriff and Bantry Bay Killarney and About There Around the Coast of Limerick The Shannon and Its Lakes Galway and Its Bay Achill to Sligo The Donegal Highlands Londonderry and the Giant's Causeway Antrim and Down The Boyne Valley Belfast and Armagh
'A beautifully written historical novel with characters who linger long after the last page is turned.' - Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Came Home. It's 1828, and Ireland is in turmoil as Irish tenants protest against their upper-class English landlords. Nineteen-year-old Bridget Muldowney is thrilled to return to the estate in Carlow she'll inherit when she comes of age. But since she left for Dublin seven years earlier, the tomboy has become a refined young lady, engaged to be married to a dashing English gentleman. Cormac McGovern, now a stable hand on the estate, has missed his childhood friend. He and Bridget had once been thick as thieves, running wild around the countryside together. When Bridget and Cormac meet again their friendship begins to rekindle, but it's different now that they are adults. Bridget's overbearing mother, determined to enforce the employer-servant boundaries, conspires with Bridget's fiancé to keep the pair apart. With the odds stacked against them, can Bridget and Cormac's childhood attachment blossom into something more?
The thousand years explored in this book witnessed developments in the history of Ireland that resonate to this day. Interspersing narrative with detailed analysis of key themes, the first volume in The Cambridge History of Ireland presents the latest thinking on key aspects of the medieval Irish experience. The contributors are leading experts in their fields, and present their original interpretations in a fresh and accessible manner. New perspectives are offered on the politics, artistic culture, religious beliefs and practices, social organisation and economic activity that prevailed on the island in these centuries. At each turn the question is asked: to what extent were these developments unique to Ireland? The openness of Ireland to outside influences, and its capacity to influence the world beyond its shores, are recurring themes. Underpinning the book is a comparative, outward-looking approach that sees Ireland as an integral but exceptional component of medieval Christian Europe.
