I bought this book over two and half years ago while visiting the Dublin Writers Museum because of course I had to leave with at least one book by an Irish author, and Joyce is scary (I also participated in a Literary Pub Crawl of Dublin during that vacation though I think I preferred the one I did in Edinburgh). Anyway, for some reason I never quite got around to reading any of the books I bought on that trip, and I’m trying to both reduce my stack of books, and read at least one book related to the Great War every month this year for the 100 year anniversary, so this seemed like a perfect choice. Overall, it was a solid book – I can’t say I regret leaving it to sit for so long but I certainly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I also discovered that it’s actually the first part of a trilogy so instead of reducing my list of “books to read” by one, I’ve now added two! Full review.
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Hey – I’m going to Ireland in late May, so if you’ve got any other Dublin recommendations (even for atmospheric reading while there) – I’d love to hear ’em.
The Book of Kells – I know it’s obvious and a total tourist attraction so you’re probably already planning on going but it is amazing! Not only do you get to see the book, but after you leave the display and book, you have to exit through the Long Hall of the library which is breath taking. I also really enjoyed both St. Patrick’s Cathedrale and Christchurch – make sure you go in tombs for that one, and there was a place called Queen of Tart that had really good strawberry rhubarb crumble! I can’t remember where I ate, but a few of the restaurants I ate at had three course meals for a decent prize and the portions aren’t too big. I’m having a hard time remembering what else I did – I know I took a day trip to some older towns and cemeteries. I wasn’t that impressed with Dublin Castle but that’s because I was in England and Scotland before Ireland, and it just doesn’t compare to Edinburgh Castle or Windsor. Same with some of the other castles throughout Ireland – they look cool as part of the outside from the scenery but there isn’t as much that makes them memorable inside compared to other European castles.
Thank you so much! So far I’ve just been looking at the areas where we want to do hiking (Dingle, Letterfrack, Connemara, oh how I love the names); haven’t given much thought to city or culture yet. Good tips on the castle though – we’ll probably stop by one, but we did Edinburgh Castle a few years ago.
Oh I like the idea of reading one WWI book a month this year…
I saw this Literature and War Readalong mentioned elsewhere (I think there are a few different blogs with these types of challenges but they focus on different categories and wars) and I might read along with one or two of their selections. http://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.com/literature-and-war-readalong/literature-and-war-readalong-2014/