Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Ireland  By  cover art

Ireland

By: Frank Delaney
Narrated by: Frank Delaney
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $35.09

Buy for $35.09

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

One evening in 1951, an itinerant storyteller arrives unannounced at a house in the Irish countryside. In exchange for a bed and a warm meal, he invites his hosts and their neighbors to join him by the wintry fireside and begins to tell formative stories of Ireland's history. Ronan, a nine-year-old boy, grows so entranced by the storytelling that, when the old man leaves abruptly under mysterious circumstances, the boy devotes himself to finding him again.

Ronan's search for the Storyteller becomes both a journey of self-discovery, long unspoken family secrets, and an immersion into the sometimes conflicting histories of his native land.

A sweeping novel of huge ambition, Ireland is the beautifully told story of a remarkable nation. It rings with the truth of a writer passionate about his country and in full command of his craft.

©2005 Frank Delaney (P)2005 HarperAudio

Critic reviews

"A sprawling, riveting read....Rich and satisfying." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Ireland

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,458
  • 4 Stars
    456
  • 3 Stars
    198
  • 2 Stars
    71
  • 1 Stars
    39
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,289
  • 4 Stars
    191
  • 3 Stars
    78
  • 2 Stars
    19
  • 1 Stars
    15
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,110
  • 4 Stars
    291
  • 3 Stars
    123
  • 2 Stars
    39
  • 1 Stars
    17

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ireland

This is my all-time favorite book of the many, many I've downloaded from Audible!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Story

Story within a story, exquisitely layered offering the whole of Irish history in one fell swoop.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

slow beginning, great book

The first story told by the storyteller is a rather boring geological history. Stick with the book, it gets better.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good historical fiction

This was a well written book on Ireland and it's history, I loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

I am really captivated by this book not only for the intelligence behind the intertwining of the storyline and tales of the history of Ireland but also for the excellent presentation of it. It gives an understanding of a sense of place through its history and the nonlinear aspect of time which includes past and present.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Story of Stories

A tour de force in every way: deep, lyrical, heartfelt and heart-rending, every moment thrums to the beat of words fashioned into stories that grip the hearer in their thrall. Never have I learned more about who I am and where I am from than from this book. A revelation.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Story and author/reader are amazing! I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in a book written from the heart!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A superb reading of a superb book

A wonderful telling of a wonderful story. I feel truly blessed for having this title recommended to me.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

10/10 Recommend!!

Not only did I love the plot, I adored the performance. While it was great to hear the author read the story the way he imagined it, Frank Delaney has the most wonderful storyteller's voice I've ever heard. Buy the book, for sure, but you'll be missing out if you don't get the audio version in whatever format you can.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • MM
  • 02-04-22

Can’t Wait to Go See These Places

I have a trip coming and this was a wonderful way to learn Irish history through stories!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!