An Irish Tail: A comical tale of an English couple and their unruly dogs, searching for a new life in rural Ireland

by Nick Albert

Within six months of being told that the stress of his job was likely to kill him, Nick Albert and his wife Lesley had sold everything and moved to beautiful County Clare, in the west coast of Ireland – a Country they had never before visited. With little money or experience they set about renovating a derelict farmhouse, and building a new life; hindered only by their lack of skill, twenty-two chickens, two ducks and several unruly dogs.
Bursting with hilarious anecdotes and witty observations, blended with occasional moments of exquisite sadness, “An Irish Tail” is a delightful story of an English couple searching for a new life in the quiet solitude of rural Ireland.
"Marley and Me" meets "Round Ireland with a Fridge," if you love dogs, Ireland and life, then you will love “An Irish Tail”.

Genres: Memoir, Ireland, Dogs

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2012

About the author

Nick Albert was born and raised in England. After a hectic career in financial services, he relocated to rural Ireland, bought a dilapidated farmhouse, and began writing full-time. His first book was the twisty thriller Wrecking Crew.
In 2017 he was signed to Ant Press. His new book Fresh Eggs and Dog beds was an instant Amazon bestseller. Book two in the series was published in June 2018 and book three in August 2019. All three books in the series have received multiple 5* reviews and featured as Amazon bestsellers. Book four is under construction.

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely charming and funny story about the adventures and misadventures of an English couple trying to simplify their lives by moving to Ireland. A fun, quick read.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever tried home renovations? Ever moved out to a rural area? Either is crazy making. While reading this book I totally related it to my friends moving from the suburbs to upstate Nowheresville into a disaster of an old farmhouse solidly nestled into Amish country. Nearly the same problems including the dogs and chickens! Difference was that husband was adept and had only an ordinary sense of humor, and they remained in the same country. This family had so much more to adapt to, learn from, and laugh at! Reading this book is a laugh fest of the first order! He makes the most frustrating things hilarious! Absolutely loved it!
Paul Douglass has the perfect delivery in his narration and it feels like he is the author!

[Janie O · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how to really star this book because I did not read it all. I gave it a good start - a couple of chapters. The problem was I read to relax and the first chapter where he describes the tension in his life was not relaxing. However, it might be good for someone who is struggling like he was - over- worked, led to a heart attack...
Secondly, I won't read a book with swear words. I overlooked the first ones but when the next set came I figured they would be throughout the book. For some that will not be a deterrent but it is a big one for me.
He is very wordy. I prefer a story to move along at a better pace. However, this is his story, he is a good story teller and some will enjoy this account.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this memoir.
Nick and his wife Lesley sell their property in England to buy an old and neglected farmhouse in County Clare, Ireland.
This is my favourite type of memoir; people moving to another country; however, it is my first foray into Ireland, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The author describes the surrounding countryside, the animals, DIY renovations and their new lifestyle in an easy to read story with lots of humour thrown in.

[Greta Grimm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dunno about 'hilarious.' didn't need to be hilarious, and definitely shouldn't be described as such. Good languid telling of easy-go-lucky superhumans who renovated an irish house. I wouldn't do what they did, but I like the vicarious thrill. This isn't the best or near the top if its class. Not that you care. If you like this kind of book, you're going to read it anyway. I did. I skipped the last 50 or so pages post-renovation.

[Gary Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read!

At first I was having a hard time reading this book. Took a while to get thru the first quarter. But. After that I couldn't put it down

[Merryellen Towey Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun to listen to while I walked or exercised on machines at the gym. I found myself laughing out loud at times. I love all things Irish and the writer has a witty take on them.

[Wordsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

As another dog-loving blow-in to County Clare after having purchased a hovel to do up, I can relate very well to this book. (Unlike the author, though, I haven't yet transformed the hovel.) The story is well-written, amusing (my only gripe in that department is the blurb saying it is 'hilarious' - it nearly put me off as self-promotion using that word almost always results in reader disappointment; likewise an author rating his/her own book with five stars) and entirely believable. I read this on a Kindle and have bought two copies of the paper version as Christmas presents - I don't think the layout of the physical book is particularly good (i.e. not professional), although it is in no way awful and will not detract from its readability. As a self-published book, though, it scores high marks on how it has been edited and deserves being picked up by a mainstream publisher in order to get more publicity. I would imagine it will be equally enjoyed by Irish and British readers. I would recommend the author turns his hand to novel writing.

[Patti St · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I love how the author blends his and his wife's move to Ireland, with great stories of their dogs. They find an old farmhouse and together renovate it while creating a vegetable garden and collect several homeless dogs a long the way. The idea is to be self sufficient and anxiety free from their old life in England. It's beautifully written, entertaining, and connects the reader like one of the family. It's one of the best resettlement memoirs I have read. The love of this middle aged couple for each other and to make this new home based on mutual respect just goes to show that true, everlasting love exists.

[Chris Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I loved this book! These people must be very brave to just drop everything and move to another country in search of a dream life. There a loads of really funny stories about their dogs and other pets as well as disasters with the building work. The bit when the author was in the hospital had us both in tears with laughter. Some of the observations about cultural differences are hilarious. Rural Ireland sounds so charming. I can't wait to see the film!

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dunno about 'hilarious.' didn't need to be hilarious, and definitely shouldn't be described as such. Good languid telling of easy-go-lucky superhumans who renovated an irish house. I wouldn't do what they did, but I like the vicarious thrill. This isn't the best or near the top if its class. Not that you care. If you like this kind of book, you're going to read it anyway. I did. I skipped the last 50 or so pages post-renovation.

[Lmbrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok at the beginning, funny on how Irish roads are not labeled and GPS is not always correct. Having driven in Ireland many times I could relate to the story. By the middle to end of story: found it a bit boring with being repeating points a little too much for my taste

[Cockneylen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant enough read, which I enjoyed. Humorous in places, but towards the end I was getting a bit bored with the endless enthusing about the countryside, and also with the details of the restoration.

[Rita Diamantine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing.

I had looked forward to reading more about Ireland and the warm gentle people. Instead this was a running commentary on author's boring house remodeling and barking dogs. That should have been a clue in itself!

Simple could not finish the book.

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, well written. But it was over just when it was starting! On looking again it seems I only received a part of the book. Feel rather cheated.

[Gail Guetersloh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly a book about moving to Ireland and home renovations. Repetition. Slow reading.

[khalidah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely tale.

The book is entertaining and funny. I loved Nick Albert's sense of humour.... and cried at the loss of his dogs.

[Peg · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise led me to believe it would be a story of family, friends, dogs, and moving to Ireland. Unfortunately 98% of the book was a boring and repetitive story of renovating a house.

[Kaiti Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!! I loved this book!

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and clever, a pleasant read.

[Alison]

kindle (dog stories)