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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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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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Irish people

A great narrative of Irish history very interesting and an easy listen and the countryside explored through stories

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Telling Stories

The author uses the device of a frame story to give us a wide range of tales in varying styles covering centuries of Irish history and legend. The frame story is absorbing. if not quite believable. I can chalk up some of the anachronisms - potatoes in the Bronze Age, Mexican pigments in the Book of Kells - to the fanciful nature of the storyteller figure. My only serious reservation about the book is that the boy whose actions dominate the narrative is not a very likable character.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding written work and narration!!!

I greatly enjoyed the interweaving of historical tales of Ireland with a young boy's pursuit of his passion. Some other reviews speak of this book as being slow, and I suppose it is to a degree. It wasn't meant to be an adrenaline rush from cover to cover. I would, however, highly recommend this to anyone who likes to feel the magic of a master storyteller fill your mind and soul.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Storeytelling at its best

I couldn't put it down. I've listened to hundreds of books and this one has got to be the BEST! This is storytelling at its finest; Delany is a master of his art and craft.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A nice story

A wonderful story woven into a historical rendering of the wandering storyteller of the Irish tradition

A soothing read in a COVID riddled time

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Ireland

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

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Story

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

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  • 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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good historical fiction

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

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