Books Set in Ireland - Five Novels to Read Before You Travel

If you are traveling to Ireland, then you will nothe few that is set there. This story of identical
doubt be aware of the rich literary tradition thetwins during their first year at university sees
country has. Almost everywhere you go therethem adjusting to life in the city, drinking in the
are references to Irish writers, such as Jamesbars and attending classes from time to time. It's
Joyce, Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.a coming of age story in which Galway itself is
And even today, somehow the Irish seem to beone of the main characters.
able to tell a story better than just about anyone'The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty' by Sebastian
else - whether it be in written form, or justBarry
through a chat in the pub.The tensions surrounding the Irish struggle for
So, if a trip to The Emerald Isle is on the agenda,independence lie at the heart of this novel set in
then it is almost compulsory to take some booksthe town of Sligo in Ireland's north-west. Unable to
set in Ireland to read on your travels. But whatfind work, Eneas joins the British-led police force
should you read if Joyce's 'Ulysses' is not quitethe Royal Irish Constabulary, and in the process
your cup of tea? Here's a range of novels that willlabels himself a traitor. As a marked man he goes
take you the length and breadth of Ireland, andon the run, and while the novel follows Eneas
give you a real taste of life over the years in thisfrom country to country, he sneaks back to Sligo
country filled with passion and history.when he can. A compelling look at 20th Century
'The Mammy' by Brendan O'CarrollIreland, through a character who has become a
If you want to know more about Dublin in thevictim of his country's fight to exist.
1960's, then this story of widow Agnes Browne'Pomegranate Soup' by Marsha Mehran
and her seven children will do it. This isIn this novel we see a different kind of migration
working-class Ireland with all its squalor, laughter-- the story of three Iranian sisters who move to
and alcoholic fathers, and the best news is thatan Irish village in the 1980's. It's not often you get
the book is the first of a trilogy. The next timea food-lit story set in Ireland, but Pomegranate
you are approached by a cheeky Dublin lad (andSoup is exactly that, with its celebration of
there are many!), you may find yourself thinkingPersian cuisine. Unsurprisingly the village residents
back to Agnes and her brood.take a while to adapt to this foreign influence in
'Little Criminals' by Gene Kerriganone of their local cafes, and despite the novel's
And now to Dublin in contemporary times. Thefocus on a different culture, it provides plenty of
country has had its economic miracle anddetail of Irish life and landscape for those trying to
everyone is an entrepreneur, even the criminals.learn more about the country.
Frankie Crowe has a scheme to make himselfThere are many stereotypes about the Irish, but
some money, planning to kidnap a wealthy bankeras a traveler you have the opportunity to reach
and set himself up for life. While this could be justbeyond the surface of Irish culture and see what
a cops and robbers novel, Kerrigan does much tolies beneath. Reading books set in Ireland will help
portray the underbelly of Dublin life, and the socialyou do that, revealing details of Irish streets and
changes that have taken place over recent years.cities, hopes and history - and when you visit the
'Juno and Juliet' by Julian Goughplaces mentioned, you will feel as if you know it
If you decide to head to Galway (and I'd highlyjust that little bit better than if you had arrived a
encourage you to do so), then this novel is one ofstranger.