"Dramatic, adventurous, heroic, romantic. . . these historical chronicles, legends, myths, tall tales and fables, featuring warriors, kings, monks, explorers and clever common folk, imaginatively tell the history of Ireland." - Philadelphia Inquirer
This New York Times bestselling epic is an unforgettable tour de force that marries the intimate, passionate texture of the Irish spirit with a historical scope that is sweeping and resplendent. Storyteller extraordinaire Frank Delaney takes his readers on a journey through the history of Ireland, stopping along the way to evoke the dramatic events and personalities so critical to shaping the Irish experience.
In the winter of 1951, a storyteller, the last practitioner of an honored, centuries-old tradition, arrives at the home of nine-year-old Ronan O'Mara in the Irish countryside. For three wonderful evenings, the old gentleman enthralls his assembled local audience with narratives of foolish kings, fabled saints, and Ireland's enduring accomplishments before moving on. But these nights change young Ronan forever, setting him on a years-long pursuit of the elusive, itinerant storyteller and the glorious tales that are no less than the saga of his tenacious and extraordinary isle.
Industry Reviews
"Delaney gracefully collects essential myths-and invents a few, too-in his heartfelt ode to the oral tradition." -- Entertainment Weekly "Extraordinary . Delaney is such a fabulous storyteller that the 560 pages fly by." -- Connecticut Post "An epic novel of history and storytelling." -- U.S. News & World Report "Highly recommended . fans of Edward Rutherford's historical sagas will love it." -- Library Journal (Starred Review) "If you're a lover of Irish myths and history, there are rich pickings here."--The Guardian "Extraordinary ... Delaney is such a fabulous storyteller that the 560 pages fly by."--Connecticut Post "A sprawling, riveting read ... the stories utterly captivate ...in this rich and satisfying book."--Publishers Weekly "Delaney has written an epic novel on the history of Ireland....He's a born storyteller."--Hartford Courant "Delaney gracefully collects essential myths--and invents a few, too--in his heartfelt ode to the oral tradition."--Entertainment Weekly "An epic novel of history and storytelling."--U.S. News & World Report "Dramatic, adventurous, heroic, romantic, slyly comic ... imaginatively [tells] the history of Ireland."--Philadelphia Inquirer "Highly recommended ... fans of Edward Rutherford's historical sagas will love it."--Library Journal (Starred Review) "A vivid rendering of Irish history.. reminiscent of the best of James Michener in scope and sheer crowd-pleasing potential."--Kirkus Reviews "Miraculous ... As befits its title, IRELAND touches the heart and moves the soul."--Richmond Times-Dispatch "In the end, IRELAND is, as the Irish themselves are fond of saying about everything from cabbage to castles, brilliant."--San Antonio Express-News "An absolute masterpiece. With this extraordinary novel Frank Delaney joins the ranks of the greatest of Irish writers."--Jack Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of Edge of Danger "History, legend, memory and myth come seamlessly together in Frank Delaney's wonderfully engaging new novel, Ireland."--Washington Post "A remarkable achievement....Frank Delaney has written a beautiful book."--Edward Rutherfurd, New York Times bestselling author of LONDON and THE PRINCES OF IRELAND History, legend, memory and myth come seamlessly together in Frank Delaney s wonderfully engaging new novel, Ireland. --Washington Post" An epic novel of history and storytelling. --U.S. News & World Report" Delaney gracefully collects essential mythsand invents a few, tooin his heartfelt ode to the oral tradition. --Entertainment Weekly" Dramatic, adventurous, heroic, romantic, slyly comic ... imaginatively [tells] the history of Ireland. --Philadelphia Inquirer" In the end, IRELAND is, as the Irish themselves are fond of saying about everything from cabbage to castles, brilliant. --San Antonio Express-News" Miraculous ... As befits its title, IRELAND touches the heart and moves the soul. --Richmond Times-Dispatch" Extraordinary Delaney is such a fabulous storyteller that the 560 pages fly by. --Connecticut Post" Delaney has written an epic novel on the history of Ireland....He s a born storyteller. --Hartford Courant" A sprawling, riveting read ... the stories utterly captivate ...in this rich and satisfying book. --Publishers Weekly" A vivid rendering of Irish history.. reminiscent of the best of James Michener in scope and sheer crowd-pleasing potential. --Kirkus Reviews" Highly recommended fans of Edward Rutherford s historical sagas will love it. --Library Journal (Starred Review)" A remarkable achievement....Frank Delaney has written a beautiful book. --Edward Rutherfurd, New York Times bestselling author of LONDON and THE PRINCES OF IRELAND" An absolute masterpiece. With this extraordinary novel Frank Delaney joins the ranks of the greatest of Irish writers. --Jack Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of Edge of Danger" If you re a lover of Irish myths and history, there are rich pickings here. --The Guardian" Delaney gracefully collects essential myths and invents a few, too in his heartfelt ode to the oral tradition. --Entertainment Weekly"