Irish Eccentrics A Selection

by Peter Somerville-Large

Ireland's history has long been illuminated, and enlivened, by bizarre, colourful, extravagant, unfettered ripe country-house eccentrics, saints, scholars, bucks and hell-rakes, duellists, abductors, rhymers and miracle-makers. These factual and fascinating biographical sketches make for 'delightful reading' (Frank Muir). First published in 1975 this new edition includes fresh material and is now in its second printing. Reviews of the 1975 'Mr Somerville-Large writes with élan and erudition' - Tim Heald, The Times. 'A delightful compendium of sheer nuttiness. If, as sociologists suggest, eccentricity is a luxury, Ireland is portrayed in this book as one of the most luxurious countries anywhere.' - Malcolm MacPherson, Newsweek. 'Mr Somerville-Large has probed the annals of dim Anglo-Irish families to produce a rare gallery of human curiosities. All human life is here with a vengeance, and in these affectionately presented pages its vagaries know no bounds. ' - William Trevor, The Guardian. 'Peter Somerville-Large has parcelled up as colourful a batch of nature's sports as could be found a whisker this side of lunacy, and has written about them in a witty detached prose style which admirably sets off their extraordinary behaviour S delightful reading.' - Frank Muir, The Spectator

286 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1997

About the author

Peter Somerville-Large was born in Dublin in 1928 and was educated at St Columba’s College and Trinity College Dublin. His first job in Afghanistan was followed by a spell of travel in Asia during the early 1950s. Destinations for his travel books include Ireland, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, and Tibet. He has also written four thrillers, and a number of short stories, including two prize winners. He lives in Co. Carlow with his wife Gillian.

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an offbeat sort of scholarly text. It is a thoroughly researched miscellany spanning many hundreds of years, but mostly focusing on the 17th-19th centuries. The chapters are divided topically and are mostly freestanding - so you can put it down for a while and come back without much detriment.

It's not always the most engaging text. The voice is dry at times and the narrative has a tendency to jump between various historical figures without much transition. But ultimately the underlying research and subject matter carry it.

I recommend keeping this on the nightstand and reading in segments between other books. Or do it all in one shot if it grabs your fancy. What do I know, I'm just some guy on the internet.