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Ionbhá: The Empathy Book for Ireland
Ionbhá or empathy is a core element of wisdom and a universal language of the soul. It brings joy to the everyday, making the unbearable bearable. “We need empathy in schools just as we need empathy in the world right now” - Cillian Murphy, Actor and Patron of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre.
The wide range of contributions to the publication Ionbhá act like a compass, guiding us on things that really matter in life. Reflections on empathy illuminate its healing properties, vividly opening our eyes to the countless ways in which its power can shape us all. This collection shows that no matter how big or small, empathetic actions have a massive impact. Although we rarely appreciate how these actions affect people and their communities, they often reverberate long after we act.
89 contributors include Michael D. Higgins, Hozier, Tolü Makay, The Edge, Rachael Blackmore, Blindboy Boatclub, Mary Coughlan, Clodagh Finn, Katy Hyland, Imelda May, Brendan O’Connor, Louise O’Neill, Valery Biden Owens and citizens from all walks of life.
All royalties from the sale of this book will go directly to delivering the Activating Social Empathy education programme in Irish schools and youth work organisations
The wide range of contributions to the publication Ionbhá act like a compass, guiding us on things that really matter in life. Reflections on empathy illuminate its healing properties, vividly opening our eyes to the countless ways in which its power can shape us all. This collection shows that no matter how big or small, empathetic actions have a massive impact. Although we rarely appreciate how these actions affect people and their communities, they often reverberate long after we act.
89 contributors include Michael D. Higgins, Hozier, Tolü Makay, The Edge, Rachael Blackmore, Blindboy Boatclub, Mary Coughlan, Clodagh Finn, Katy Hyland, Imelda May, Brendan O’Connor, Louise O’Neill, Valery Biden Owens and citizens from all walks of life.
All royalties from the sale of this book will go directly to delivering the Activating Social Empathy education programme in Irish schools and youth work organisations
350 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2022
44 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 20, 2022
I have to admit that I picked this book for the wrong reasons - because of Cillian Murphy - but I am glad that I picked it up.
This is a collection of essays about empathy, empathy education and empathy in education.
I may not know most of the people whose essays I read, but I know that reading it felt like walking down memory lane while holding someone'e warm hands. Reading the essays felt more like reading short stories or getting glimpses of other people's lives. This book was mostly fun, but it felt 80 pages too long.
Empathy is not pity, it is mirroring the other's feelings and feeling them as our own. Understanding others, eliminating the notion of "the other" and embracing the humanity that unites us all, this is why empathy is important, now more so than ever before.
The notion that empathy can be learnt or unlearnt is an important one. When we are overwhelmed by emotions, and when we don't see the empathy we need in those around us, we put a distance between us and those emotions, and with that we unlearn ourselves and with that our empathy.
We look for pieces of ourselves in everything about us, in those around us, and as some people postulated this is the bases of our empathy. We are governed by the need to see our pain out in the world around us, to be seen and to be heard. That is why we write, draw, write and listen to music. To connect.
This book changed something in me, made me want to see more empathy around us. Although, at the end of the book, some essays descend into pacifism and its link to empathy - that I disagree with. I enjoyed reading this book.
"It's not the things you wear,
It's not the way you do your hair
But it's you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you
Not the things that hide you,
Not your [caps and gowns]
They're just beside you.
But it's you I like
Every part of you
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when you're feeling blue
That it's you I like
It's you yourself
It's you
It's you I like"
This is a collection of essays about empathy, empathy education and empathy in education.
I may not know most of the people whose essays I read, but I know that reading it felt like walking down memory lane while holding someone'e warm hands. Reading the essays felt more like reading short stories or getting glimpses of other people's lives. This book was mostly fun, but it felt 80 pages too long.
Empathy is not pity, it is mirroring the other's feelings and feeling them as our own. Understanding others, eliminating the notion of "the other" and embracing the humanity that unites us all, this is why empathy is important, now more so than ever before.
The notion that empathy can be learnt or unlearnt is an important one. When we are overwhelmed by emotions, and when we don't see the empathy we need in those around us, we put a distance between us and those emotions, and with that we unlearn ourselves and with that our empathy.
We look for pieces of ourselves in everything about us, in those around us, and as some people postulated this is the bases of our empathy. We are governed by the need to see our pain out in the world around us, to be seen and to be heard. That is why we write, draw, write and listen to music. To connect.
This book changed something in me, made me want to see more empathy around us. Although, at the end of the book, some essays descend into pacifism and its link to empathy - that I disagree with. I enjoyed reading this book.
"It's not the things you wear,
It's not the way you do your hair
But it's you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you
Not the things that hide you,
Not your [caps and gowns]
They're just beside you.
But it's you I like
Every part of you
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when you're feeling blue
That it's you I like
It's you yourself
It's you
It's you I like"
January 3, 2023
I was excited to read this one and really had high expectations. It's an important premise and a concept I will remain fully behind. I applaud Cillian Murphy for putting it together.
While some of the essays were excellent, well-written and inspirational, others were less so, and I felt quite a few of the contributors missed the brief, and pieces purporting to be about empathy ended up being lists of their accomplishments. In essence, the book was too long. While a more ruthless editing process might have been less empathetic in process (irony not lost on me), it would have resulted in a more powerful finished work.
The book is also littered with errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation, which let it down hugely.
I'm so disappointed to say I'm underwhelmed. I wanted to love it. I wanted it to sink into my bones but unfortunately it didn't quite hit the mark.
While some of the essays were excellent, well-written and inspirational, others were less so, and I felt quite a few of the contributors missed the brief, and pieces purporting to be about empathy ended up being lists of their accomplishments. In essence, the book was too long. While a more ruthless editing process might have been less empathetic in process (irony not lost on me), it would have resulted in a more powerful finished work.
The book is also littered with errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation, which let it down hugely.
I'm so disappointed to say I'm underwhelmed. I wanted to love it. I wanted it to sink into my bones but unfortunately it didn't quite hit the mark.
October 11, 2022
Good book
The book is good and though it is written for the Irish people it is good for us all to read it. But I wish that there had been done a better job on the kindle edition, lot of words are divided with - where it should not be done and it is very annoying.
The book is good and though it is written for the Irish people it is good for us all to read it. But I wish that there had been done a better job on the kindle edition, lot of words are divided with - where it should not be done and it is very annoying.
April 10, 2024
This was a wonderful book--a nice tonic, especially after years of being on social media without much reprieve. I do believe it has the capacity to heal.
December 31, 2022
The world is certainly short on empathy and would be a far better place if more people practiced and expressed it. This book is very much a testament to the power and importance of empathy, with essays written from an array of individuals from all walks of life. I ordered a copy of this book largely because of Cillian Murphy's involvement with it and because part of the proceeds would benefit a good cause, but having finished it, I was left feeling rather touched and inspired by some of the stories shared.
November 21, 2022
A fantastic, thought provoking read, so many stories, essays and poems that show how empathy has impacted the lives of so many. As a foster carer, empathy is at the forefront of what we do everyday and plays a vital role in improving the lives of young people. I would highly recommend this book to anyone working in the education or care systems. Congratulations to Cilliana be the whole team for an excellent book!
October 28, 2023
It's fine and has a couple of decent relatable stories, but really this could've done with being edited down to a 100 pager, as by a ⅓ of the way through the book, I felt like I was just constantly getting reinterpretations of the meaning of the word Empathy.
November 20, 2022
Grand, innovating and inspiring, money goes to a great cause, wish it could be implemented worldwide
December 18, 2022
An incredible collection of writings. Ought to be on every shelf. 5 stars
March 9, 2024
Beautiful wee collection of essays; would recommend to anyone who seeks a career in teaching, writing, politics, or medicine.
November 30, 2024
A book that I wished would go on forever. Its impact certainly will!
October 23, 2025
So important! ❤️✨
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews