St Patrick's Day is March 17! Ireland has made a large contribution to world literature, in part because of their strong oral tradition of legends and poetry. I find there to be a great sense of place, a keen power of satire and wit, fascinating detail, and a wonder of nature. Four Irishmen have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature: Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney.
Perhaps now is time to read some of the wonderful Irish authors: the classics include: Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels, Oliver Goldsmith, Vicar of Wakefield, Frank O'Connor for many wonderful short stories, or Bram Stoker's Dracula (he was born in Dublin!)
Some notable current names include William Trevor, Mauve Binchy, Marian Keyes, Patrick McCabe, Colm Toibin, Sebastian Barry, Claire Keegan and Anne Enright. Enright won the 2007 Booker award for The Gathering. Barry almost won in 2007 for Secret Scripture, but won the Costa Award in 2008. Bainville won in 2005 for The Sea.
I will have additional Irish authors and books later this week!
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