I always love to read books and watch shows and movies to prepare for upcoming trips, and Ireland is no different. The lovely Emerald Isle is the inspiration for many books and the setting of multiple movies. So let’s explore a few options as you prepare for and dream about an upcoming trip to Ireland!
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Books to Prepare for Ireland
There is no shortage of books you can read to prepare for your trip to Ireland. Here are a few options in various genres to enjoy.
Fiction
Ireland is the setting for many fictional books. This is likely because the island nation produces so many wonderful writers. They set their stories in their place of birth. Perhaps this is also because 80 million people worldwide have Irish ancestry and they interested in their homeland. And even people with no Irish roots seem captivated by the Emerald Isle. Ireland welcomes two tourists for every resident living in the country. So it’s no surprise that authors would choose Ireland as a setting for their books. There are lots of options to prepare for your trip to Ireland by curling up with a good book!
Books by Maeve Binchy
Maeve Binchy was an Irish novelist who published 16 novels, four collections of short stories, and a novella during her lifetime. Most of her work has Ireland as a setting, so all could be on this list. But that would be overkill! Just know that any book you read by the author is likely to give you some insight on Ireland! Here are a few of the popular options:
Circle of Friends – set in Dublin in the 1950s-1960s, this coming-of-age story follows four friends as they mature into women (or watch the 1995 movie).
Tara Road – an Irish woman with an unfaithful husband tries to escape her problems by trading houses with an American woman (or watch the 2008 movie).
Quentins – a woman seeks funding for a documentary about the famed (fictional) Quentins restaurant in Dublin as she recovers from a breakup and then meets a new beau.
The Glass Lake – in rural Ireland in the 1950s, a child loses her mother in what is believed to be a drowning accident but years later discovers her mother is alive and living in London.
Books by James Joyce
James Joyce is another Irish novelist who wrote several notable books between 1914-1939:
Dubliners – this book has 15 short stories depicting middle class life in Ireland in the early 20th century when Ireland’s struggle for sovereignty from Britain was at it’s peak.
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man – a young man rebels against the Catholic and Irish conventions of his childhood and ultimately chooses to leave Ireland for Europe.
Ulysses – Joyce follows three fictional Dubliners on June 16, 1904, and weaves complex parallels of their lives to The Odyssey, Hamlet, and mythological and literary figures.
Ireland (Frank Delaney)
With a name like Ireland, you know instantly what the book will be about! In 1951, a young boy is beguiled by the tales of an itinerant storyteller. For three nights, the storyteller describes Irish myths, history, and legends until the boy’s mother kicks him out. The boy vows to find the storyteller again. He spends years in that pursuit, becoming a storyteller in his own right along the way.
The Dublin Saga Books 1 & 2 (Edward Rutherford)
I love Edward Rutherford’s books. He dives deep into history, often following several families through the ages as the various generations adapt and change to the times. Rutherford’s books are an accessible way to learn the history of a country. The Dublin Saga books include Princes of Ireland and The Rebels of Ireland. The first book in the series begins when pagan Celtic tribes populated the island and ends with the Irish revolt of 1534. The second book begins in 1597 and ends in 1916 and covers the colonization and the Irish quest for independence from England.
Dublin Murder Squad Books 1-6 (Tana French)
If you like a good murder mystery, you will enjoy Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad books. Currently there are six books in the series that each follow the investigations of the Dublin Murder Squad. Each book features a new detective and mystery to solve. It’s not necessary to read them in order. Here are the books:
- In the Woods – the victim of a unresolved childhood trauma is now a detective who must investigate a murder that is much like his past experience offering the chance to solve both mysteries.
- The Likeness – the lead detective is investigating a murder case where the victim could be her twin.
- Faithful Place – as a teenager, the detective’s girlfriend disappeared as they were planning to run away together. He assumed she changed her mind, but years later her bones are found in a derelict house and he must determine what happened.
- Broken Harbor – a detective investigates the murder of a young family at one of Ireland’s luxury housing developments.
- The Secret Place – a detective investigates the murder of boy at a girls’ boarding school.
- The Trespasser – a detective investigating the murder of a young woman looks beyond the supposedly obvious culprit to uncover the true murderer.
There’s also a show available on Amazon Prime streaming called Dublin Murders. The eight episode series is based on the first two books in this series.
Books by Nora Roberts
American author Nora Roberts has two sets of trilogies set in Ireland. The Concannon Sisters Trilogy is a set of romance novels that follow three sisters in County Clare, Ireland. The first book, Born in Fire, is about the eldest sister. She is a glass artist and falls for a gallery owner. Book two, Born in Ice, is about another sister. She falls in love with an American author lodging in her inn. A final sister is the focus of book three, Born in Shame. Living in New York, she discovers the identify of her birth father and that she has two half-sisters in Ireland. She travels there to meet her newfound kin and falls in love with a farmer.
The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy is also a set of romance novels. These books are about siblings who run a pub in an Irish seaside village. Jewels of the Sun follows Aidan Gallagher’s romance with an American. In Tears of the Moon, Shawn Gallagher and a childhood friend fall in love. And in Heart of the Sea, Darcy is obsessed with marrying a rich man. Then she meets the man of her dreams who isn’t what she expected.
The Gracelin O’Malley Trilogy (Ann Moore)
Something about Ireland inspires authors to write trilogies! The Gracelin O’Malley Trilogy is about the life of a young woman as she experiences hardship in Ireland and ultimately emigrates to America. The first book, Gracelin O’Malley, occurs during the Great Famine. Defying her English husband, Gracelin feeds the poor and secretly supports Irish independence. In Leaving Ireland, Gracelin’s political views forces her to flee to New York City. Once there, she joins the American abolitionist movement. And in ‘Til Morning Light, Gracelin moves to post-Gold Rush San Francisco where she is to marry a sea captain.
Irish Century Series (Morgan Llywelyn)
Morgan Llywelyn’s Irish Century series includes five books. They provide a deep dive into the history of Ireland from 1916 to 1999:
- 1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion – a teenage Titanic survivor and orphan gets swept up in the Irish fight for independence after being inspired by his teachers.
- 1921: The Great Novel of the Irish Civil War – a journalist attempts to report the truth during the Irish Civil War as he falls in love with an English woman.
- 1949: A Novel of the Irish Free State – coming of age story of a woman in the repressive Catholic environment of the 1920s through the Great Depression and then World War II.
- 1972: A Novel of Ireland’s Unfinished Revolution – experience Ireland from 1950-72 through the perspective of the son and grandson of Ireland revolutionaries who joins the IRA to fight for Irish reunification.
- 1999: A Novel of the Celtic Tiger & the Search for Peace -the same character from the 1972 novel is now a photojournalist who documents events from Bloody Sunday through The Troubles.
Non-Fiction
The fiction books above will give you a nice feel for Ireland. They give you an understanding of the country’s culture and history. But if you really want to dive deep, the following non-fiction books will provide you with a great insight as you prepare for your trip to Ireland.
Frank McCourt Memoirs
Irish-American author Frank McCourt took the world by storm in the 1990s with the publication of his memoir Angela’s Ashes. Literally everyone was talking about it, and it was made into a movie in 2000. The book describes McCourt’s early life after moving from America to Ireland with his family during the Great Depression. McCourt’s father is unemployed and an alcoholic. His mother struggles to feed and house her children in the slums of Limerick. Yet somehow, McCourt emerges from this life to become a Pulitzer prize winning author.
McCourt’s second memoir, ‘Tis, that describes his life returning to New York at age 19. He serves in World War II and returns to America to resume his education. He finally finds his place in the world when he becomes a teacher.
The final memoir, Teacher Man, follows McCourt’s 32-year career as a teacher and transition to writer. His teaching is unconventional and he challenges authority. But through it all he finds his voice and shares it with the world.
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder & Memory in Northern Ireland (Patrick Radden Keefe)
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder & Memory in Northern Ireland begins with the infamous abduction of Jean McConville during The Troubles. This killing is attributed to the I.R.A. but is shrouded in silence and fear. Years later, the discovery of her remains symbolized the deep, unresolved wounds left by the conflict. Through the McConville case and figures like IRA terrorist Dolours Price and peace-negotiator Gerry Adams, Keefe explores the brutal violence, betrayals, and lingering pain that still haunt Northern Ireland.
The Story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland (Seumas MacManus)
You should become familiar with the history of Ireland as you prepare to travel there. One option is The Story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland. This book was was written for an American audience. The book covers the major events in Irish history and introduces you to the famous and not-so-famous figures from history. You will learn about the country’s history, culture, religion, laws, arts, folklore, literature and more.
A Short History of Ireland (Richard Killeen)
Another option is A Short History of Ireland. This book begins a bit later, at the beginning of the 16th century. In less than 300 pages you will learn about the major events in Irish history like the English conquest, the Great Famine, and Irish independence. Throughout the book, the author explores the nation’s relationship with England, religious tensions, and the impact of the Irish diaspora.
How the Irish Saved Civilization (Thomas Cahill)
How the Irish Saved Civilization describes how Ireland’s status as an isolated island nation led to it escaping the Dark Ages that descended on Europe. This fascinating book argues that the conversion of Ireland from pagan to Christianity saved Western civilization after the fall of Rome. Irish monks preserved crucial Latin texts, helping to spreading this knowledge across Europe through missionary work.
Travel Memoirs
Ok – all of these non-fiction books have been a bit heavy so far! I don’t want you to get bored as you prepare for your trip to Ireland. So our last two books are humorous travel memoirs.
Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks describes how the author hitchhikes around Ireland toting a refrigerator. Along the way, Hawks and his fridge meet an array of colorful characters, participate in quirky events, and experience the kindness and humor of the Irish people. The fridge itself becomes an unlikely celebrity, symbolizing the spirit of adventure and human connection.
In McCarthy’s Bar, American author Pete McCarthy vows to visit every pub that bears his name. And in Ireland, that’s a lot! He travels from Cork to Donegal, experiencing wild adventures and heartfelt moments. His memoir offers an affectionate and witty portrait of a country balancing tradition and change.
Shows & Movies to Prepare for Ireland
If you aren’t much of a reader, or simply don’t have enough time, TV shows and movies are a great way to prepare for your trip to Ireland.
Ireland as the Focus
Ireland’s emerald-green allure and complex history has made the country the focus of many movies. The following movies provide a great look at the culture, history, and environment of the country.
The Secret of the Roan Inish (1995)
In The Secret of the Roan Inish a young girl is sent to live with her grandparents on the Irish coast. Once there, she discovers family legends of selkies (seals that shed their skin and become human). Ultimately, she comes to believe her lost baby brother is being cared for by seals on the island of Roan Inish.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
On a remote Irish island during the Irish Civil War, two friends experience a bitter falling out ending in violence and tragedy in The Banshees of Inisherin.
Belfast (2021)
Inspired by Kenneth Branagh’s life, Belfast explores a young boy’s childhood as a protestant in Northern Ireland during The Troubles.
Derry Girls (2018-2022)
Currently streaming on Netflix, Derry Girls is a sitcom set in Northern Ireland. It is about five teenage girls attending an all-girls’ Catholic school in the 1990s during The Troubles.
Far & Away (1993)
Far & Away tells the story of, an Irish tenant farmer runs away to America with his landlord’s daughter. Once there, they have many trials but ultimately acquire land and fall in love.
In the Name of the Father (1993)
In the Name of the Father tells the true story of the Guildfore Four. They are four people who were falsely convicted of bombing the Guildford pub in 1974.
Michael Collins (1996)
The movie Michael Collins is a biography of a leading figure in the Irish independence movement in the early 20th century.
The Quiet Man (1952)
An oldie but goodie, The Quiet Man is about a retired boxer. He returns from America to his birthplace Inisfree to purchase his family farm and marries a local woman.
Leap Year (2010)
In Leap Year, an American woman travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend and comedic shenanigans ensue.
Secret of the Kells (2009)
The animated Secret of the Kells follows a young boy in the 9th century who helps a master illustrator complete the Book of Kells. Along the way, he faces Vikings, forest spirits, and other Celtic mythological beings.
The Hole in the Ground (2019)
The Hole in the Ground is a horror film is based on the Irish folklore of changlings where fairies exchange a human being for a supernatural being. After a little boy wonders off into the Irish countryside, he returns and his mother discovers he is an imposter.
Ireland as the Setting
There are a lot of shows and movies that use Ireland as a setting. Watch the following for a glimpse of the beautiful scenery you will see during your trip to Ireland:
- Game of Thrones (2011-2019) – there are 16 places in Ireland used to depict Westeros.
- Princess Bride (1987) – the Cliffs of Moher sub for the infamous Cliffs of Insanity in the movie.
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) – the opening scene was filmed on Curracloe Strand and Ballinesker Beach in County Wexford, Ireland, as it was considered insensitive to film it on the actual Normandy beaches.
- Braveheart (1995) – despite the fact that this film is about Scotland, most of the film was shot in Curragh, Ballymore Eustace, and Trim Castle in Ireland.
- Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince (2009) – the Cliffs of Moher make another film appearance as does Lemon Rock which is near the Skellig Islands.
- Star Wars:
- The Force Awakens (2015) – Skellig Michael served as Luke Skywalker’s hermit home.
- The Last Jedi (2017) – Rey trained with Luke at Sybil Head on the Dingle Peninsula
- Ella Enchanted (2004) – filming took place entirely in County Wicklow, Ireland, with scenes at Luggala Estate, Killruddery House & Garden, and Kiltegan.
What’s on your list of things to read and watch to prepare for your trip to Ireland?
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