1 comments about Stones of Aran: Labyrinth (Stones of Aran).

1. this wonderfully rich book and its companion volume (Pilgrimage) densely cover so many fascinating aspects of the aran islands with a sensitive and philosophical approach, from it's geology and botany to its architecture, mythology, history and folklore.
   Highly recommended for those who savor reading!

3 comments about Cycle Touring Ireland.

1. I loved this book! It was obviously written by someone who really loves cycling. It is well researched, comprehensive and very easy to use. There are cycle routes suitable for all levels of fitness and the extra information on the scenery, recommended lunch stops etc add greatly to the whole experience. Don't cycle Ireland without it!



2. I didn't think that this book could offer me anything new about Ireland's highways and byways. But I was pleasantly surprised. I have used it mainly on reasonably short trips out of Dublin. It is written in a very readable style and it allows for all levels of ability. There are a few routes that take in glorious mountain views, but yet are not too challenging. I love the fact that every route has a recommended lunch stop - very important!. I am looking forward to trying some of the routes in the west of Ireland, which I love. Hopefully there will be a new edition by the time I have tried all of the routes!



3. I have just returned from Ireland having cycled from Killarney to Dublin in a clockwise fashion. I cycled 1,054 miles in less than three weeks. While I took M ichelin, Lonely Planet, Irish Tourist Board guides etc., I discarded them all in favour of Cycle Touring Ireland. It was the most incredible companion and I followed it faithfully. I just wish I could put Brendan on a personal retainer and have him write Cycle Touring Canada, Cycle Touring USA, Cycle Touring France etc. A fantastic job!

No comments about Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow (Irish Discovery Maps Series).

1 comments about Three Men on an Island.

1. I read this book last year. It was a moving experience, as one feels as if one is there on the island with the young painter, MacIntyre, and his two mentors. The story is set on the tiny island of Inishlacken, "Last parish before New York", and is written in the first person by MacIntyre. It is a snapshot of the old way of life in Ireland that is now gone forever. The book is beautifully illustrated with paintings and sketches drawn by the three artists during their time on the island, and these alone make it worth the money. But it is MacIntyre's gentle, humorous, vividly descriptive style of prose that is most captivating, and which ensures that you will be finished reading in less time than you thought. The book has a magical aura about it that makes it stick in your mind. In many ways, it reminds me of Laurie Lee - a true genius of autobiographical writing. MacIntyre's book is one of only a few that I have discovered which is worthy of comparison with Lee's magnificent work. The book made me laugh, think and reminisce about experiences I have had in Ireland. But ultimately, it is rather sad, and I would be surprised if any reader out there is able to make it through without a lump forming in the throat at some stage. Overall, I cannot recommend Three Men On An Island highly enough. For those who have enjoyed reading the autobiogaphical works of such writers as Laurie Lee and Antoine De Saint Exupery, this book has the same emotive magic that novels such as "As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning" and "Wind, Sand And Stars" have in abundance. Now, please go and order it - it will remain with you for the rest of your life. P.S. There is a reference to Emile Zola's La Terre (The Earth) in this book - you would appreciate it better if you read La Terre (which is fantastic, also) prior to reading Three Men On An Island.

No comments about A Dictionary of British and Irish Travellers in Italy, 1701-1800 (Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in Britis).

1 comments about Losing the Empress: A Personal Journey (Empress of Ireland's Enduring Shadow).

1. This book was written by a former English teacher of mine--an emotionally troubled man as I remember him. This book contains a highly personal account of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, detailing the devastating impact on the author's family of the loss of his grandparents. It is written in a rather disjointed style, jumping back and forth between the family history, the story of the Empress, the story of the building of the museum in the Gaspe. etc. Particularly interesting is the fact that his grandparents were members of the Salvation Army, travelling to England with a large group of SA members, many of whom perished in the sinking. The information on the role of the Salvation Army in Canada's history and settlement is interesting, and I have not seen it covered elsewhere

No comments about Kildare, Meath, Offfaly, West Meath (Irish Discovery Maps Series).

No comments about The Edinburgh Literary Companion.

No comments about Time Out Weekend Breaks in Great Britain and Ireland (Time Out Guides).

No comments about AA Touring Map Southern Ireland (Aa Atlases and Maps).