A Celtic Childhood

by Bill Watkins

A Celtic Childhood vividly portrays Bill Watkins' eccentric Celtic his vibrant Irish mam whose "hand is on the tiller" as head of household; his principled but stout-loving Welsh dad; and his Grandda, who has "a generous supply of Celtic songs and tall stories." These tales from Watkins’ boyhood find him disrupting weddings while dressed as a gangster, illegally operating a ham radio, and getting kicked out of Ireland for "vagrancy." The lively anecdotes of A Celtic Childhood sing from the page with a keen sense of rhythm.

Genres: Ireland, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography, Contemporary

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Bill Watkins was born in Birmingham, England, to a Welsh/Irish family in 1950. His bilingual parents were notable traditional singers. Having learned to play the tin whistle, fiddle, guitar, banjo and mandolin at an early age, Bill is also an accomplished singer/songwriter whose most
famous ditty, The Errant Apprentice, has been recorded worldwide. Now living in Minneapolis, he serves as the cultural ambassador at Merlin's Rest Pub. Bills company, Keltcom LLC, designs and builds Irish and British Isles pubs, repairs vintage radio equipment and makes kilts.

More information is available online at www.scarlettapress.com or www.keltcom.com."

Reviews

[Clare S-B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how many times I burst out laughing while reading this book. I enjoyed the story and all of Bill's many antics. The story is so funny and the writing interesting. But there is a LOT of language that I would rather not read, which got worse as the book went on. I enjoyed the book, I give it 2 and a half star, because of the language. This is meant to be the first book in a series but it could easily be a stand alone. I have not read the other ones but I fear that they may have content in them I do not wish to read, content wise I think this one was ok. Though quite a few of the jokes were rather crude, and though I laughed I kept thinking "This is really not that funny." But most of it was good funny, especially when he just started going to school....all the mad things the boys got up to... with stuff left over from the wars.

[Jasanna Czellar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hear this is part of a trilogy. However, it does well as a stand-alone story of an Irish boy's growing up years. It gave a good perspective of a child in Ireland who then moved to England and held on to his culture, due much to his parents continual reminders (in a good way). I found the Celtic songs very fun and intriguing and enjoyed the comedy of his growing up, as well as the realism of the difficulty he encountered. I did find it odd how lightly his father's alcoholism was taken, although maybe that is part cultural, I don't know. I was also not thrilled with the amount of language and the crass way that they talked. That may be how his family interacted, but it made me sad how badly they talked to each other, even if in a 'joking' way. The language was abundant and not something I enjoyed, as it seemed to overshadow the author's beautifully-descriptive way of telling a Celtic story.

[Virginia Allain]

I was carried along by Watkins' colorful memories and his way with words. You get a glimpse into the Celtic life in Ireland and then displaced into a Celtic community in England. It made fascinating reading.

[Rick Wilmot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great romp through 1950s England & Ireland.

[Brendan Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Humorous, poignant, highly entertaining.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Review: A Celtic Childhood is a lovely memoir that reads as if you’re sitting at the feet of a grandfather full of stories! This book is full of charming vignettes and hilarious antics as we follow a boy from his birth up to his seventeenth year. Young Bill’s views are hilarious—he has the perfect point of view as he recounts his childhood memories! He has mishaps with gas meters and water taps; an hilarious Nativity ‘scene’; thoughts on the evil ‘damp’ that eats everything (did you know it is a large green monster?); imaginative fights with the ‘Red Baron’; and innocence and honesty as he views the world as a young boy. He terrorizes the community as he and his gang are constantly finding some way to rile up the locals, whether it be through taunts or randomly tossed hand grenades! He candidly tells of the hardships of growing up during wartimes. Bill Watkins definitely has talent as a storyteller! His tales flowed so well and kept my interest. I loved all the little songs and poems throughout, as well! A Celtic Childhood is a fun romp through old Ireland and Wales! Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars!!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: Excessive throughout

VIOLENCE: Some Mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT: Some Mild and a few Moderate instances

MATURE THEMES: Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 21+

While this book is very funny and interesting, the language was excessive! It averaged out to be about 4-5 words per page, and for a 287 page book, that’s quite a bit! Most of it was moderate. There were also many very strong words (including f-words). There were also quite a few very crude poems and songs, and many crude references throughout.

There is some violence, mostly in the form of stories about wars, ghosts, and murders. There are a lot of boyish antics, and many of those involve fistfights, nasty tricks (people tended to get hurt), and the use of live firearms (grenades, guns, etc.—but most people came away from those unscathed). There are mentions of abuse, fights, and many other things of that nature. This is written during times of depression and war, so the people do not have much and tend to steal or get angry. These instances are not too horrible as they are told through the eyes of a child (and with a great deal of humor). A character punches a priest multiple times in order to get his way.

The sexual content consists of a great deal of innuendos. Many thoughts and desires are mentioned as the main character grows older. There are some crude things written on a bathroom wall (jokes/poetry about males and females). There is an initiation into a gang that had to do with an animal that was very gross. There is also a short anecdote where a priest tries to teach sex-ed and a girl mentions she wants to be a strip-tease dancer (and explains why).

The Mature themes are mostly moderate: Loss of family members, reversal of life circumstances (and making the best of what you have), dropping out of school, adolescent drinking (there is a LOT of drinking and drunkenness). There is a character who is an atheist who constantly mocks religion in a very crude and sacrilegious fashion.

Due to the nature of the book and a great deal of content, A Celtic Childhood is recommended for ages 21+

This review was written by Emily
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Scarletta Press for a review

To see more fantastic books reviewed with content in mind, visit us at Squeaky Clean Reads!!

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of a trilogy as best I can tell. Based on having read the second book first (Scotland Is Not For the Squeamish), I'd definitely suggest reading them in order.

This book resembles Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes," both in tone and in its description of Limerick. Both McCourt and Watkins grew up in Limerick, although Watkins didn't spend his entire childhood there.

Unlike McCourt's life, Watkin's was blessed with the presence of a father that stayed with the family when he could, and who provided some income. Because of this, we get a different view of Limerick. Life is not quite so desperate, and Watkin's childhood seems to have been happier than McCourts.

Even so, there was little work in Limerick, and Watkin's father had to go elsewhere to find employment. At times, that meant that the entire family picked up and moved. Accordingly, young Watkins got a view of other worlds early on, and that molded the life he would live (which is viewed in the subsequent books of the series).

"A Celtic Childhood" is an engaging book for anyone, but particularly interesting for anyone who came of age in the volatile sixties. And if you have any interest in Celtic music, there's a fascinating section in which Watkins meets and learns from some of the greats who prevented that music from becoming extinct. Ah, to have been a fly upon the wall...

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, you gotta love the Irish! Born a Cassidy myself, there's nothing I enjoy more than a good yarn spun by an Irish master such as Watkins. His prose is lyrical, hilarious, and makes good sport of himself and his foibles.

This is the first of a trilogy about his life: he takes us through his boyhood and teenage years. He's lively and likable, the kind of boy you want to paddle on the bottom then hug. I galloped through this read, thoroughly enjoying every moment.

A good, fun read for anyone who's ever known an irrepressible free spirit.

[Angi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bill Watkins. I can't wait for the 3rd in this trilogy. He loves his Celtic heritage so much- how did he wind up an expatriate?? He's hilarious and full of excellent historical information. My two favorite things: comedy & history.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written childhood memoirs are like gold dust. And this is one of my absolute favourites. A book full of lovable Irish characters.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read.

[Julie Chettle]

Loved it.

[Nanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read in ages. His prose is lyrical and mesmerizing.

[Robyn333 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read loved the rollicking nature of the boy growing to manhood 4 - 16 loved it