West Ireland

Ireland is inarguably a beautiful, enchanted place. But its history is more turbulent, fascinating, and terrible than any other. From the first English presence in Ireland in the 12th century, through siege, rebellion, and civil war, to Irish ascendancy, home rule, and the present-day troubles, best-selling author Paul Johnson tells, with remarkable clarity and concision, the compelling story of this most remarkable island.

Born in 1846 in Ireland at the start of the "Great Hunger", James Kinnier Wilson emigrated to Philadelphia to start a new life at 17 years old. After his life took a dramatic turn, he found himself attending Princeton and then a college in Scotland, where he met Agnes Hately, the talented daughter of a famous figure in the Scottish "Disruption" - the emergence of the Free Church of Scotland.

When Edward Enfield decided to cycle around Ireland, he was enchanted by prehistoric fortresses, rugged landscapes, and landladies who insisted on washing his shirts. He takes you with him on a gentle ride up the west coast, eating fresh fish and enormous breakfasts along the way, and stopping to chat to peat-cutters, fishermen, eccentric tourists, and a famous matchmaker.

Ireland Vidal is the third generation to control Vidal Records, and she's on track to lead the recording company to greater heights. She's the youngest of an affluent, prominent family headed by her eldest brother, Gideon Cross—one of the richest men in the world. Despite her siblings' outsized shadows, Ireland has carved her own identity. But the clever, stunning beauty with fierce tenacity and a heart of gold has yet to find a man with whom to share her life—someone who doesn't need her connections to be successful.

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.

How will an Irish mail order bride fit in? Earn it. Lorna Faulkner never imagined that she would have to leave her beloved Ireland. But she is forced to pack up her things and take her little sister, Caitlin, across the sea to the land that has already opened its arms to so many of her people: America. When they arrive, however, they find themselves to be less accepted than they had expected. Engaged as a mail order bride to the handsome Peter Andrews, Lorna and Peter see their lives grow together in strange and expected ways. More so when Peter’s difficult past comes to light. With the ...

‘The people generally are out for a Republic and they propose to get it.’ – County Inspector RIC, West Galway, July 1920 The period 1913–22 witnessed extraordinary upheaval in Irish society. The Easter Rising of 1916 facilitated the emergence of new revolutionary forces and the eruption of guerrilla warfare. In Galway and elsewhere in the west, the new realities wrought by World War One saw the emergence of a younger generation of impatient revolutionaries. In 1916, Liam Mellows led his Irish Volunteers in a Rising in east Galway and up to 650 rebels took up defensive positions at ...

Get ready to uncover County Kerry with Discover Kerry: A Hilarious, Hearty Guide to Ireland’s Wild Southwest by Séamus O’Connor! This rollicking guide drags you through Kerry’s jaw-dropping cliffs, secret beaches, and lively pubs with a shepherd’s wit and a pint of local charm. From the Ring of Kerry’s epic vistas to Dingle’s funky fishing vibes, Séamus spills the beans on must-sees, hidden gems, and where to snag the freshest fish and chips—all wrapped in laugh-out-loud tales from his Dingle doorstep. Whether you’re scaling Skellig Michael with puffins or sipping Guinness...

“Connemara Girl" is a gripping tale that reintroduces DS Fiona Madden to her hometown of Galway, where she's found contentment with her partner, Ashling McGoldrick. However, tranquility eludes Fiona when a teenager vanishes without a trace, and an unexpected visitor claims to be the son she once gave up for adoption. Haunted by her past reputation in the village, Fiona remains resolute, fortified by a wall of inner strength. A martial arts expert, she swiftly confronts a local troublemaker, turning a viral video into a double-edged sword of admiration and resentment. Her actions draw the ...

On the west coast of Ireland, two strangers united by their shared memories of a forgotten realm struggle to reconcile the lives they’ve known here with who they once were. But for those who can witness their memories, their past identities may be a secret worth dying for.

Unleash your wanderlust with Discover Galway: A Hilarious, Hearty Guide to Ireland’s Wild West by Séamus O’Connor! This rollicking romp drags you through Galway’s buzzing city streets, Connemara’s moody mountains, and the Aran Islands’ ancient stones—all with a farmer’s wit and a pint of local craic. From slurping oysters in Kinvara to dancing with buskers in Galway City, Séamus spills the secrets of must-sees, hidden gems, and where to find the creamiest Guinness. Packed with laugh-out-loud tales and insider tips, this guide’s your key to Galway’s wild soul—whether ...

It’s 1849 on the west coast of Ireland. Resilient Honora O’Donoghue is accustomed to fending for herself and to reading the language of the natural world. It was always said she’d been marked for something different, but it’s not until she suffers devastating losses in a country gripped by the Famine that Honora begins to understand how that difference will save her. With the hope of a better life in America calling, Honora keeps moving toward her freedom.

A family secret. A century of heartache . . . The Girl on the Cliff is an evocative, moving story of family, loss and hope, from Lucinda Riley, the international bestselling author of The Seven Sisters series. After a devastating loss, Grania Ryan flees her life as an artist in New York and...

The How Do I Move to... series are audiobooks that detail all the information you need before deciding to move abroad. The "How Do I Move to Ireland" book provides information on Ireland's demographic statistics, social issues, housing availability, healthcare eligibility, cultural differences, and even how to bring your pet with you when you move.

At the Crossroads is the heartfelt story of Bridgie Ned, a woman whose life began in the rugged beauty of rural Doona, Ballycroy, in the West of Ireland. From the simplicity of her childhood in a small stone cottage without electricity or running water, to her journey across the Atlantic at just 17, Bridgie’s story is one of resilience, love, and laughter. Settling in America, she built a new life, but her heart never truly left her village, with its windswept shores, close-knit neighbors, and the ever-watchful Slieve Mor. Through her wit, humor, and enduring spirit, Bridgie brings to ...

Step into Mayo, Ireland’s wild western frontier, where cliffs tower, islands beckon, and ancient spirits roam free. Discover Mayo: Exploring the Untamed Soul of Ireland’s Wild West sweeps you into this raw paradise with over 150 tips and rollicking tales. Séamus O’Connor unveils the secrets of Croagh Patrick’s holy heights, Achill’s windswept shores, and pubs alive with local craic—all on a tight budget. Picture Bridie dodging fairy tricks on Clare Island or Mick outsmarting a storm off Downpatrick Head. History, folklore, and practical know-how collide in this spirited guide, ...

In the bestselling tradition of Fannie Flagg and Jenny Colgan comes Felicity Hayes-McCoy’s U.S. debut about a local librarian who must find a way to rebuild her community and her own life in this touching, enchanting novel set on Ireland’s stunning West Coast.

Just before Christmas, 1996, a beautiful French woman - the wife of a movie mogul - was brutally murdered outside of her holiday home in a remote region of West Cork, Ireland. The crime was reported by a local journalist, Ian Bailey, who was at the forefront of the case until he became the prime murder suspect. Arrested twice, he was released without charge. This was the start of a saga lasting decades with twists and turns and a battle for justice in two countries, which culminated in the 2019 conviction of Bailey - in his absence - by the French Criminal court in Paris.

It’s all change at Mill Street Station. The old hierarchy has been retired and a new broom has swept its last vestiges away. As a consequence Fiona Madden has been promoted to detective inspector and now heads up the CID unit. Sean Tracy has taken her post as detective sergeant. Their first case under the new regime comes quickly. A man has been shot in the back outside the holiday village of Letterfrack. The dead man is not a local but has a connection to a past that the villagers would like to forget. The victim is identified be a for former member of the Society of Christian Brothers ...

The days are turning colder, preparations are under way for the Winter Fest, and everyone is hoping for a little holiday magic on the Finfarran peninsula. And as Cassie Fitzgerald, fresh from Toronto, is about to discover, there’s more to the holidays on the west coast of Ireland than mistletoe and mince pies. Enchanted by the small town where her dad was born, Cassie makes friends and joins local librarian Hanna Casey’s writing group in Lissbeg Library. But the more she’s drawn into the festivities leading up to her first Irish Christmas, the more questions she wants to ask.