Set in mid-17th century Ireland and Continental Europe, the narrative in An Cléireach is triggered by a single event that takes place during the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland, when a small band of the retreating Irishry gather on the side of a mountain and, despite the threat of massacre, for one night the rain lifts, the stars shine, and art and dreams take centre stage.
In this beautifully presented book, not only is Stanford's music and Gaelic music examined, but also Stanford's cultural background. Indeed, it is not often we get an Irish book which examines Englishness, as is done in this book which gets to grips with both the Irish and the English question, and what it means to be an anglophonic Englishman, and what it means go be a Gael.
Galway, Spring 1612. The Atlantic port of Galway has become a hotbed of conspiracy and intrigue against English rule in Ireland. In this thrilling 17th century swashbuckler, Lucás, a young student and a gifted swordsman, is entrusted by a shady Jesuit priest with an important mission that will take him on a perilous journey across Europe. Following hot on his heels, in the narrow streets of the city, is the enemy's most devious and brutal spy - with orders to stop him, at all costs.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is one of the best known adventure novels ever written. This exciting and atmospheric story tells of treasure maps, mutiny, buccaneers, pirate gold, and of Jim Hawkins, a boy in his teens who puts to sea under the spell of the one-legged charming scoundrel Long John Silver.
A knight awakes in the middle of the woods, like a child, without any memory, and not knowing where he is. Step by step, he explores his surroundings and begins to make his way towards the light. This is a philosophical novel by one of the country’s finest writers, written in the style of the
15th Century, the beginning of the age of printing and publishing. An
Choill tries to get to grips with the case of one of the Knights of the round Table, who
didn’t reach the Holy Grail. This is the story of the man who
doesn’t
knoew. It might just be the story of
everyman.
Conaire Mór is a lively and highly-readable retelling of the Old-Irish epic Togail Bruidne Da Derga — a story that begins with the crowning of Conaire and ends with his brutal slaying on the banks of the Dodder. All the wonders of ancient literature are found in this book, from Conaire’s warrior feats to his ascension to the throne and to the prophesy of doom that cannot be evaded. This is a story that hasn’t been told in a thousand years, but now, Conaire Mór reigns again. The author, Diarmuid Johnson, is a poet.
Shortlisted for the IRISH BOOK AWARDS
One of the greatest epics ever written, now available in Modern Irish This is the story of Cú Chulainn, the Hound of Ulster, and of how he stood his ground, along with his charioteer Lao, against the great host of Ailill and Maeve. Here, we read of his youth, of how he got his name, of his single combat with Ferdia, and of the deadly quarrel between Ailill and Maeve which led to the taking of the Brown Bull of Cooley. Táin Bó Cuailnge was written in the 11th Century and was translated into Modern Irish by Darach Ó Scolaí.
A tough and poetic thriller set under the Mediterranean sun. This is the story of three comrades who grew up together on the streets of Marseilles — Ugo, Manu and Fabio — and the gypsy beauty, Lole. Close friends in their youth, they become separated by life, and are brought together again by death.
The final book in the Lúcás Ó Briain trilogy (An Litir). The Atlantic port of Galway 1612, Lucás, a young student and a gifted swordsman, is entrusted by a shady Jesuit priest with an important letter to be delivered into the hands of Aodh Mór Ó Néill, Earl of Tyrone (leader of the Irish chieftains in Rome seeking the help of Philip of Spain to retake Ireland from the English). Lúcás's mission will take him on a perilous journey across Europe. Following hot on his heels, in the narrow streets of the city, is the enemy's most devious and brutal spy - with orders to stop him, at all costs.
