Ireland

By: Frank Delaney

Narrated by: Frank Delaney

Length: 19 hrs and 29 mins

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)

A wonderfully read history of Ireland

Too often when the writer reads his own material, his voice isn?t up to the quality of professional readers. This isn?t the case with this wonderful novel. This book is really a series of vignettes about the history of Ireland, starting from its ancient days up until Bloody Sunday. Each story is given to his hosts by a traveling ?storyteller,? one of the central characters of the story. A parallel story involving the storyteller, his past and his loved ones runs throughout. Its only flaw is a periodic over-sentimentality, the kind in ?chicken-soup-for the soul? books. But these failings are rare. Overall a satisfying and absorbing listen.

Outstanding Storytelling

Wonderfully read. It is a shame Audible charges now 2 credits for this and Tipperary- Last month it was only 1 credit... and the price did not change!

I've found THE story teller! His name is Frank.

There are essentially 2 stories happening at once. #1, the encounter with and the search for the "story teller" and #2, the collection of short stories told along the way. It's NOT difficult to follow, if you're worried about that.

The writer/narrator (to distinguish him from the "story teller") made me an insider and taught history that will stick to me. He opened the heart and soul of the people. He did this in little digestible chunks.

I was hooked immediately. You will be too.

Best book on Ireland!!!

Have read and listened to multiple times. GREAT book. Essential for everybody of Irish descent!!!

Wonderful Story

In a 19 hour book you expect to at some point feel the need to fast forward and want to speed up the story. Not so in this case. I was caught up from the minute the author started reading until the moment he finished. In fact I am saddened that it is over. It is obvious to me that Mr. Delaney knows a thing or two about writing and telling a story. Great Book!

Mesmerizing story! Pure magic!

What a wonderful story: fascinating, moving and unputdownable. Although I lived in Ireland for almost 20 years, I hadn't heard some of the stories told by this traveling storyteller or had not been able to relate to them. Frank Delaney, both as the writer and the narrator of the tale, is such a gifted mind! Tip of the hat to him. This audible version enthralled me so much that I listened to it for hours -until it was finished too soon. And then I did, what I have never done before, I started from the beginning again to get the nuances at the start that I didn't fully appreciated at first.
It is a shame and such a loss for humanity that traveling storytellers, at least in our part of the world, have gone out of fashion or kicked out and made superfluous by radio and TV. But they don't compare. They don't have the magic that is conveyed in this book. Highly recommended- not only if you want to travel to Ireland or have Irish roots. You're in for a treat!

Don’t miss listening to this wonderful Irish journey

The book should be listened to to gain a full appreciation. It pulls you I. And won’t let go. Mesmerizing.

Learning about Ireland through its Stories

Although the book started a bit slow, the stories were simply wonderful. I don't think there is any way I could have gotten the feel for Ireland and its history any better than by reading this book.

love this book

it combines irish story telling with history and a side story with lots of twists. well worth a listen

Get it yesterday...

...cos it's that great. You can thank me now or you can thank me later.