• An Irish Country Christmas

  • By: Patrick Taylor
  • Narrated by: John Keating
  • Length: 16 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,265 ratings)

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An Irish Country Christmas  By  cover art

An Irish Country Christmas

By: Patrick Taylor
Narrated by: John Keating
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Publisher's summary

In An Irish Country Christmas, the third book in Patrick Taylor's Irish Country Books, Barry Laverty, M.B., is looking forward to his first Christmas in the cozy village of Ballybucklebo, at least until he learns that his sweetheart, Patricia, might not be coming home for the holidays. That unhappy prospect dampens his spirits somewhat, but Barry has little time to dwell on his romantic disappointments. Christmas may be drawing nigh, but there is little peace to be found on earth, especially for a young doctor plying his trade in the emerald hills and glens of rural Ireland.

Along with his senior partner, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, Barry has his hands full dealing with seasonal coughs and colds, as well as the occasional medical emergency. To add to the doctors' worries, competition arrives in the form of a patient-poaching new physician whose quackery threatens the health and well-being of the good people of Ballybucklebo. Can one territory support three hungry doctors? Barry has his doubts.

But the wintry days and nights are not without a few tidings of comfort and joy. Between their hectic medical practice, Rugby Club parties, and the kiddies' Christmas Pageant, the two doctors still find time to play Santa Claus to a struggling single mother with a sick child and not enough money in the bank. Snow is rare in Ulster, and so are miracles, but that doesn't mean they never happen. . . .

©2008 Patrick Taylor (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Full of stories and vivid characters, the novel recalls a good night in a pub. Its greatest charm lies in homey Ulster idioms. . . . Good, light entertainment.” —Booklist on An Irish Country Village

“John Keating's readings of Patrick Taylor's previous \"Irish Country\" novels are as charming as the books themselves…As in an opera where the story is secondary to the sound, Keating's lilting brogue is a delight to the ear.” —The Roanoke Times

“The unabridged audio edition was narrated by John Keating, whose rendition of the Ulster-Scots language and accents draws you in and gives life to the characters.” —Beth Fish Reads

What listeners say about An Irish Country Christmas

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Love the Irish Country

I am enjoying the series. I would give the all the stars, but I have to shut my ears at some of the misuse of the of Biblical names. Otherwise good characters and enjoyable stories in the stories! Quite a few laughs!!

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Wonderful!

In a time when there is so much strife in he world, it is comforting to retreat into the warm and loving neighborhood of Ballybucklebo.

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Wonderful

I’ll listen every year! Narration perfection!:) can’t wait to start listening to the next one!

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Oh Little Town of Ballybucklebo

The story of Finger and Barry continue with humor, compassion, humor and love into the Christmas season. Patrick Taylor shows us again his wit, charm and literary knowledge in the story while John Keating again brings to life the wonderful characters of Ballybucklebo.

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Beautiful ending to a wonderful and fun story.

I love stories old country stories like this one. I also enjoy the added humor that causes a person, like myself to giggle or laugh out loud. Thank you.

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Gentle and heart warming story

Keeps moving, sometimes a little slowly and tends to go back and retells events from previous books which for a reader of the series is a bit tedious.

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Excellent story

It's just fantastic that I'm listening to the series of the Irish doctor. Excellent excellent book. You get right into the characters and so enjoyable. Ready to listen to the next book and find another interesting feature of the Irish doctor

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county christmas

Where does An Irish Country Christmas rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

its a good story you can relate to the characters it is a good follow up story to the irish doctor series

What was one of the most memorable moments of An Irish Country Christmas?

the raffle

What about John Keating’s performance did you like?

if youhave listened to the other books you find he brings the characters to the page well

If you could rename An Irish Country Christmas, what would you call it?

christmas in ulster county

Any additional comments?

patrick taylor writes this as a good and funny at times no voilence portrayel of country life and people a good series that gets you wanting to listen or read more

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Very nice

This is a very nice story. Nothing exciting, if that’s what you’re looking for, but a glimpse into 1960’s in the Irish countryside at Christmas. What could be nicer for a restful day after Christmas when everyone has gone home and you just need a quiet day to relax?

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Finkel

It is a sweet story of a real Christmas from years gone by from my childhood. Description and character development fish and full.

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