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Hey everyone!

Does anyone have any recommendations for good historical fiction books about Ireland? I feel they are lacking and I'd like to add some to be TBR.

Thanks :)

I haven't read it, but I have always wanted to read "Trinity" by Leon Uris. I have read a couple other of his historical fiction ("Exodus" and "The Haj") and enjoyed his writing and blend of history and fictional characters living in that history--he really puts a human face on the events. He is a more than a little biased, so if you can accept that going in, then you may enjoy him.

I haven't read it yet (it's on my TBR), but I remember this group reading The Irish Princess.

Any time period? There's tons! Just off the top of my head:

The Princes of Ireland
The Rebels of Ireland
Ireland
Galway Bay

If you click on the first or second of Robin's suggestions....theres a link to a list of the best HF in the U.K. & Ireland. Plenty of good ones in there :)

Trinity by Leon Uris is amazing. Probably one of his best work. Another author to try is Morgan Llywelyn
I read these many many years ago but remember them as good.

Thanks so much!! The only HF book about Ireland I've read so far is The Irish Princess. I'm really interested in reading more and was getting overwhelmed just browsing the many lists online.

I'm definitely going to add your suggestions to my TBR!

Rebecca wrote: "Thanks so much!! The only HF book about Ireland I've read so far is The Irish Princess. I'm really interested in reading more and was getting overwhelmed just browsing the many lists online.

I'm d..."

It's hard for me to tell what type of Irish book you're interested in hearing about. I haven't read

The Irish Princess although it does sound good. I readTrinity many many years ago and found it to be very good. It's quite a lengthy tome, though. My tastes run with a bit of a lighter look. One of my favorites is Cashelmara written by Susan Howatch who is just about my top author. I've also read part of a series written by Thomas Flanaghan. Those that I've read in the series are very good. I read an odd type of Irish book last year called The Butterfly Cabinet: A Novel and I am hoping to get to The Yellow House: A Novel one of these days.

I'm definitely adding The Butterfly Cabinet and Cashelmara thanks!

I'm not even really sure myself; I know that's not very helpful. I feel like most of the HF I've been reading has to do with the English monarchy, specifically 1400-1600 (Tudor era). I really enjoy reading about the Tudors, but I'm starting to get over-saturated with it.

I know very little about Irish history and after reading The Irish Princess, I became interested in it. That took place in the Tudor/Henry VIII era also, but I'd be interested in other periods as well.

I know that's not a lot to go on, but as I haven't read much on the subject I'm not really sure what time periods I'd be most interested in. Just wondering if anyone has any books that stand out in their mind. :)

Sorry I can't be more specific.

The Linen Queen: A Novel is excellent; Ireland during WWI from the point-of-view of a poor but pretty girl absolutely desperate to get out of her small Irish town.

You may also like Selkie Dreams. The heroine is Irish, and the novel begins in Ireland and draws on Irish folklore, even though much of the book takes place in Alaska.

See also the Molly Murphy series, which begin, I think, with Murphy's Law.

A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle is a good one! Set in the early 20th Century. He writes a lot about Dublin. If you want more contemporary stories, The Barrytown Trilogy (The Commitments, The Snapper & The Van) are all very funny.

If you want to get as far away from the Tudors as possible ;-) there is Bending the Boyne.

I haven't read it yet too (shame, I know! My TBR is shooting direful glances at me already :D), but I heard quite a few good recommendations about this book, which is dealing with very ancient period of Irish history.

I have really enjoyed the "Irish Country Doctor" series by Patrick Taylor. It only takes place in the '60s, but the stories are very enjoyable, filled with lots of quirky characters.

Thanks everyone, this is a grab bag of Irish fiction and I love it!

Check out "Cliff of the Ruin", by Bonnie McKernan. Great new historical fiction set in late 1800s Ireland (and a bit in the US). Great characters, a little romance, a little irish folklore and mystery with a dash of wit and wisdom. Highly recommend.

I am currently reading Trinity! Really enjoying the story and the characters and feel that I am learning so much.

Troubles by JG Farrell is great - not as bleak as the title might suggest.

I read The Secret Scripture, which is set in Ireland, I seem to remember that was around WWII but it was some time ago that I read it! A good read anyway.

Yes. I have just had these highly recommended to me, as literary historical fiction, and I have to say I'm excited to try the 1st (in the mail). It's a trilogy on the fight for Irish independence by Thomas Flanagan. Can be read as standalones, I'm told.

The Year of the French

Tenants of Time

The End of the Hunt

I just read and loved . Here is my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I recently read A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry. A young man from Dublin fights for the British in the First World War and is also caught up conflicts associated with the Easter Rising. Beautifully written and an insight into what was going on in Ireland at the time. A Long Long Way

I started to read Trinity a while back but never actually finished it. but what of it I did read it was good

I could only give Trinity two stars!

I just finished Trinity and gave it 4 stars.

the country Irish doctor series are good reads as are the books by the McCourt brother's. each right in their own styles. both very interesting insight into growing up in Ireland and being a young immigrant in America. the younger brother's life is very interesting. at one point he has a run in with Charles Manson.

There you see, we all react differently to books!

"Supply of Heroes" by James Carroll. Family saga, WWI, Irish independance. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27...

"The Canal Bridge" by Tom Phelan. Ireland 1913, Irish fighting WWI for the British, lives/reactions of those left back home in Ireland, the soldier's attempts to settle back in upon return, Easter Uprising. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

"Troubles" by James Farrell also gets my vote. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25...

"The Wild Irish: A Novel of Elizabeth I and the Pirate O'Malley" by Robin Maxwell. 16th century intrigues between Queen Eliz I and legendary Irish pirate queen and heroine Grace O'Malley. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48...

"Lion of Ireland" by Morgan Llywelyn. Set 10th century Ireland, story of the great Brian Boru, Ard Ri (1st High King of Ireland). http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30... I recommend all of Llywelyn's historical fiction "Celtic World" bunch as well as the "Irish Century" series.

Re: "Trinity"...I finally succeeded reading it on my 3rd attempt. I felt it was awfully dry and academic at points. However, I learned a great deal about Irish history, pride and fight for independance from the read. And felt a certain accomplishment having made the finish! :-)

Some of the titles mentioned above are in fact historical fantasy (Llywelyn) or other subgenres.

Rutherfurd's two epic volumes cover the most turf -- pun intentional.

Check my profile for a work with substance,historical fiction based on the new paradigm by Oxford scholar Barry Cunliffe , E.G.Celtic from the West: Alternative Perspectives from Archaeology, Genetics, Language and Literature. I was graced with encouragement from Rutherfurd, and input from several archaeologists regarding the draft, while writing a groundbreaking novel of Bronze Age Ireland.

And yes, someone should do a Listopia of Irish historical fiction that can be classified properly -- not fantasy nor myth/folklore rehash, nor subgenre romance or questionable tales of an "Irish princess" ( a misnomer ).

How about At Swim, Two Boys? It is about the Irish revolt, starts a year before the Easter 1916 Rising and ends on it (or about that time). It is very historically accurate and discusses the politics, religion, and revolutions as well.

Erin Hart's books are very much Irish, and have strong historical bases but are maybe a little more "Mystery" than "Historical Fiction." I really love them, though, so I'm recommending them anyway! Haha :)