Thats why we put together this definitive travel guide for anyone who wants to come to ireland and discover this amazing place for themselves. The best books to read while traveling full tilt by dervla murphy. From magical landscapes such as the cliffs of moher, to bustling cities like dublin and cork, the ten books listed below travel differently through various counties. Dont travel to ireland without a few good guidebooks. One of the most stunning rail journeys on the island follows the southeast coast from dublin down to the rosslare europort, and. Feb 28, 2017 i would be inclined to point you towards john mcgahern, amoungst women is one of my favorite books of his. Best books to read before traveling to ireland meg will run. Get exploring ireland s wild atlantic way to help you prepare for your upcoming trip to ireland s rugged west coast. Travel to ireland prepared with our best books about visiting ireland and ireland s history, culture and people. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. We help to bring children and books together, delivering book fairs popup bookshops to hundreds of schools in ireland every year. Scratch your itch for travel with these 51 great travel memoirs, fiction and destination books. Travel books have been written since classical times. Im afraid rick steves doesnt rate very highly with a lot of locals and regulars on this forum.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a guidebook or two before you take your trip. Scratch your itch for travel with these 51 great travel memoirs, fiction and destination books contemporary books on ireland. A small island with a memorable punch, ireland s breathtaking landscapes and friendly, welcoming people leave visitors floored but looking for more. Top 3 ireland guidebooks mystical sites, sacred places. The ireland book series by frank delaney includes books venetia kellys traveling show. Dk eyewitness travel guide for ireland approaches its job not by prescribing what travelers should do, but by giving them the information needed to help piece their own unique trip together. Jul 29, 2016 15 books to read if you want to understand the irish save excuse yourself from ulysses on the grounds that 900 pages will tip you over the ryanair luggage allowance, and enter the ireland of. An online visitors travel guide by locals to the best attractions in ireland. This is a riveting account of irish history from prechristian ireland to the northern irish civil rights movement.
A journey of discovery in ireland 2003 pete mccarthy. Ie is an irish based online bookstore offering a wide diverse range of books, new releases, bestsellers, bargains and rare books, with worldwide delivery. Best ireland guidebooks 2018 travel to ireland and scotland. Other books, even if by notable travel authors, are not included. This makes it both convenient and beneficial to visit both countries in one. One of the most stunning rail journeys on the island follows the southeast coast from dublin down to the rosslare europort, and takes you through irelands ancient east.
Here are the books to read a minister, a historian and irish writers select the modern works from ross ocarrollkelly to donal ryan that capture for them. If you travel like us, youre the one on the corner with a map and book bag. However, in this article, weve compiled a list of best ireland travel books to read before travelling to ireland based on reading recommendations. Ireland, by frank delaney, is a compelling and in some ways remarkable book. The dk backroads series are written by writers living either full time or part time in the countries they write about. This is a story of ireland, told by examining the lives of several irish individuals. Wander rustic towns, emerald valleys, lively cities, and mossdraped ruins. Leave the stacks of free brochures and pamphlets you acquired ahead of time at home. O come ye back to ireland niall williams and christine breen, 1987. Murphy set out from ireland on an old ratty bicycle with the modest goal of cycling all the way to india. Reading about a country you will soon explore will make your adventures rich with knowledge and more fulfilling. The rick steves guides are always imminently practical and budget friendly. It is like a different perspective or another introduction.
Here are the books that changed the way these bloggers travel, that inspired them to do more and to seek more, and that helped them through tough times on the road. When i found it i was looking for a history of ireland. I have a a wonderful selection of dk books and not just travel ones. A standout on any list of the best books to ireland, economist david mcwilliams helps explain modern ireland. We ve also got links for books to read before you go to ireland and. Travel to ireland prepared with our best books about visiting ireland and irelands history, culture and people. Set at the turn of the 20th century, trinity tells the story of intertwining families. Nov, 2017 ireland and scotland arent just geographical neighbors they share a wealth of historical and cultural ties as well. Here are the books to read a minister, a historian and irish writers select the modern works from ross ocarrollkelly to donal ryan. For our tours which focus on thin places or mystical sites, its also good to have an understanding of the legends, the lore and the rituals that compelled people to build. Nov 05, 2015 are we missing any of your favourite irish books.
Books to read before travel to ireland before traveling to ireland its good to have some background on the country, its landscape, its heritage and its people. Tips for buying the best guide books for ireland tenon tours. Abacus or story of ireland 6 by neil hegarty bbc books, a tiein with the series presented by fergal keane. I dont know of any guide books for ireland that would be of specific help for your travel situation. Best ireland guidebooks 2018 travel to ireland and scotland thin. Ireland doesnt have the same culture of tipping that some countries do, but there are certain services that people do tend to tip for. Part of my tripplanning process involves reading books taking place in the country im visiting. Plan your own travel in ireland region by region before your vacation or tour. Republic of ireland dublin bustling irish capital, with fascinating tours historical, musical, and literary, passionate rebel history kilmainham gaol, treasured dark age gospels book of kells, intricate celtic artifacts at the national museum of archaeology, and a rambunctious pub district temple bar. A concise history maire and conor cruise obrien, 1972. But he is old school, he write about the ireland in early independence. Whether youre traveling to ireland alone or traveling in ireland with a baby, these perfect ireland travel tips will help you out before you visit ireland youre going to have a magical time on. Comprehensive coverage for planning a multiweek trip through ireland ricks strategic advice on.
In restaurants with table service, its normal to tip between 10 to 12 per cent, or more if you wish. Rick steves ireland 2020 rick steves travel guide rick steves. Another guide i used for a trip to sicily was insight guides. A small island with a memorable punch, irelands breathtaking landscapes and friendly, welcoming people leave visitors floored but looking for more. Ireland travel guides contains affiliate links all throughout the site. To learn more about ireland past and present, check out some of these books and films. This book covers the full gamut of what a traveler might want to do or doesnt even know they want to do. Frequent return visits led to his partnership with rick, his work as a tour guide for rick steves europe, and coauthorship of this book. Listed by year of publication of the majority of the writers notable works. These are 17 of the best books to read while traveling, suggested by professional travel bloggers. While theres nothing here that will really cost a ton of money, its still not the cheapest country in the world and you do need to watch your spending, especially on all the pints youll probably drink here. Backpacking ireland travel guide updated 2020 nomadic matt.
Explore ireland holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Aug 26, 2004 ireland, by frank delaney, is a compelling and in some ways remarkable book. For information about walking and cycling in ireland or to book your trip, contact our travel specialists. Ireland travel books round ireland with a fridge, tony hawks. Two new yorkers adjust to life in a tiny irish village after leaving their careers for a. Heres our recommended reading list of best ireland travel books to read before your trip. To learn more about ireland past and present, check out some of these books. The great book of ireland is perfect for anyone planning a trip overseas, and will leave every reader with something that they didnt previously know about the magnificent emerald isle. This evocative memoir documents an irish familys struggles during the great. Dingle peninsula my favorite fishing village dingle town, a traditional. Authorities in the republic of ireland and northern ireland are currently advising against all nonessential travel to the island and travelers are being asked to. Books to read before travel to ireland travel to ireland. The 2019 edition features uptodate information and itineraries created by steves and coauthor pat oconnor, an irishamerican who first went back in 1981 and hasnt stopped exploring ireland since hes even worked as a rick steves tour guide. Best ireland guide books list of travel books for ireland.
What are the best books to read while traveling ireland. Were thrilled that youre interested in visiting the place we call home. David flanagan is also the author of several other books about ireland, including cycling in ireland, bouldering in ireland, and rock climbing in ireland. Spanning 1100 years of history, edward rutherfurd merges real life. See the complete ireland series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. Get a flavour for the country with the best books to read about ireland. The 8 best ireland travel guides of 2020 tripsavvy. I think its particularly suited to the more independent traveller who wants to stray a little from well worn tourist trails and get under the surface of things. I recently heard a trio of irish authors claim that the combination of dreary weather and irelands troubled history produces a very particular kind of fiction that is dark and moody but also funny. Ireland travel guide republic of ireland and northern.
Before traveling to ireland its good to have some background on the country, its landscape, its heritage and its people. Which is smart thinking, as the saying goes a little planning goes a long way. This fall, barefoot books is traveling to dublin, ireland, for 4 magical days of immersion in celtic culture. I would be inclined to point you towards john mcgahern, amoungst women is one of my favorite books of his. Tips, guides, travelling stories, vacation ideas for tourists and more. I have over seventy books about ireland and about twenty of those are specifically guidebooks or guides for the traveler offering information on sites, attractions, accommodations, dining and shopping. Read about itineraries, activities, places to stay and travel essentials and get inspiration from the blog in the best guide to ireland. A long walk in search of a country, a pint, and the next tee. If ireland is on your list of places to go, take some time to read this combination of irish authors, history, memoirs, and fictional tales before your. Between pope john paul iis visit in 1979, and the celtic tiger years of the early 21st century, ireland transformed itself. Every book fair is carefully curated by your local distributor, showcasing the very best books to engage every type of reader, and every book sold can help to earn free. While ireland roils in the runup to the most important national election in the republics short history, ben maccarthy and his father watch a vagabond variety revue making a. Welcome to celtic travelling books we help to bring children and books together, delivering book fairs popup bookshops to hundreds of schools in ireland every year. Ireland and scotland arent just geographical neighbors they share a wealth of historical and cultural ties as well.
Books to read about ireland vagabond tours of ireland. Venita kellys traveling show by frank delaney from the synopsis. Books about ireland that you should read before visiting. Get your outline itinerary drafted and post it here. If ireland is on your list of places to go, take some time to read this combination of irish authors, history, memoirs, and fictional tales before your travels. Authorities in the republic of ireland and northern ireland are currently advising against all nonessential travel to the island and travelers are being asked to restrict their movements for 14 days after arrival. Best guide books for ireland if youre looking for the best ireland guidebooks, its safe to say youre looking to get the most from your irish vacation. If its your first trip to ireland, this book is a great place to start. Restaurants occasionally add a service charge to the bill themselves, especially for larger groupings, so check this first.
Sep 07, 2018 part of my tripplanning process involves reading books taking place in the country im visiting. Pat oconnor, an irishamerican, first journeyed to ireland in 1981, and was hooked by the history and passion of the feisty irish culture. The book gave so much information on the irish counties and things to see in each, and was used as a constant reference tool as we drove. Welcome to celtic travelling books scholastic ireland. Those that are by notable authors and are themselves notable are listed here. I almost didnt buy this book because i had purchased other ireland travel books, but i am so thankful i did. My ireland travel guide an online travel companion for your vacation or tour of ireland. This easytouse travel guide takes you through all the regions of ireland one by one, detailing all the most popular attractions, the best places to stay, even where to find the best pint of guinness. Top 3 ireland guidebooks mystical sites, sacred places in.
Guide book for travelling with kids in ireland ireland. To help with your planning, below are just some of the best ireland guidebooks out there. Im a fan of lonely planet guides and i like their ireland guide. Best ireland guidebooks 2018 travel to ireland and. For world book day, were recommending a few irish books to read to. Mar 17, 2015 if ireland is on your list of places to go, take some time to read this combination of irish authors, history, memoirs, and fictional tales before your travels. The back roads of ireland became our bible for our selfguided driving tour through ireland. While ireland roils in the runup to the most important national election in the republics short history, ben maccarthy and his father watch a vagabond variety revue making a stop in the irish countryside. Ireland travel guide by locals tips, guides, tours. I love being transported to a place in my mind before im physically there. Best books to read before traveling to ireland meg will. Amy adams plays a woman who travels to dublin to propose to her boyfriend. Recommended reading for visitors to ireland, compiled by michael kerr.
For our tours which focus on thin places or mystical sites, its also good to have an understanding of the legends, the lore and the rituals that compelled people to build cairns. You can save these books for your next trip or just pick up a few now to inspire your future travels. Give us a shout and maybe we can include them on part 2 of our reading list. West ireland visitors guide irish travel my ireland tour.