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Ireland  By  cover art

Ireland

By: Frank Delaney
Narrated by: Frank Delaney
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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
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A master story teller explores his craft through stories

I’m in awe of Frank Delaney’s storytelling power, the way he layered the lore of Ireland with the storyteller’s craft and the arc of one young man’s coming of age. He narrates it himself beautifully. Love it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story telling about great story teller

As each story told brings a bit of Ireland to life so the novel brings the lives of one young man and one itinerant storyteller to life. I couldn’t stop listening wanting to hear both the next story of Ireland’s past and where these two characters would go next.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic listen

I can’t think of a better story fit for audible about a storyteller. I greatly enjoyed this. Loved the mix of story and history.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Such rich and complex while exquisitely simple dimensions in this story book about stories. I am deeply appreciative.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Ireland is a great story, great history, great narration. Delaney brought Ireland to life on the page.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So much fun

The whole time I listen to the story I wished that I could remember them to tell my children and grandchildren one day the exact same way. I’ll have to settle for reading it to them.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Delightful

Perfect! Poignant stories, excellent reading by the narrator, lovely plot development around the stories. Highly recommend!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best

I’ve listened to 100’s of books on audible but only replay ones like this.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Boring and rambling

This collection of stories rambles on and on. One story is more boring than the next. I have tried several times to get into the book to no avail. I did you have it the old college try!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful collection of stories

Short stories about Ireland wonderfully worded, the long view of history and myth laid out sequentially and easily.

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