Once Upon a Time in . . . Donnybrook

Ross O'Carroll-Kelly #22

by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly

THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

Ireland, Ireland - no longer standing Dáil ...

Leinster House had been burned to the ground. All that was left was a smouldering ruin and the blackened remains of an Irish flag.

The old man was trying to pin the blame on Brussels, but I knew the actual truth? Unfortunately, Sorcha was too angry with me for having sex with our daughter's Irish teacher to listen.

But I had, like, other irons in the - pordon the pun - fire. I'd just become Head Coach of the Ireland rugby team - albeit, women.

The country might well have been focked. But very soon, we had everyone believing in fairy tales again.

And it all happened once upon a time in . . . Donnybrook
_______

'Ross is a national institution' Irish Times

'In a league of his own' Business Post

Genres: Fiction, Irish Literature

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

Pseudonym for journalist Paul Howard.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read every book in this series and they never disappoint. OUATID was particularly funny with more laugh out loud moments than I can remember in others. Looking forward to the next one!

[Eoin · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what you are going to get with ROSS books - it had been 6 or 7 years since I read one, but was great to get back into it again. Plenty of laugh out loud moments. Favorite phrase: "it was the kind of rain that would make you think about going out and gathering two of every animal"

[Joseph Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book really enjoyed it. In the previous book we saw a different side to Ross, he appeared to be thinking more deeply about things and was more concerned about other people's feelings and problems. We wondered if our hero was finally ready to settle down and become a more responsible adult. But this book sees the return of the old Ross, the irresponsible, self-centered, misogynistic hero that we all have grown to love. Great gags, great characters another winner.

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, book 22 in a series that's really hit it's stride. It's easier to read the book than try to explain the crazy plot as there is so much going on and it's still filled with brilliant one liners. I really like this mature Ross where most of the mayhem happens around him rather than being the principle cause of it and for once is willing to accept the responsibility of his actions. Brilliant read.

[Sandra Donegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner! There is no end to the “laugh out loud” antics!

[Sarah Mcgrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent installment of the Ross O'Carroll Kelly series.

[Darragh Howley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall another fantastic addition to the series. I think he first half of the book was fantastic. It's probably the first of the few I have read that has an equally interesting and funny. The middle was very middling and the end was good.

The Sive/Ross dynamic took away from the good parts a bit in the middle although it did pick back up and finish strongly.

Ross is self proclaimed rugby genius, who carrys a tactic about with him and life revolves around rugby. I think he has such an ego that he would believe he could coach those players as Best he could and be a huge success (even if just for his own personal gain such as coaching jobs with Leinster etc). But instead he's a mumbling buffoon who doesn't seem to know anything about rugby when it's required, except for some trick he showed the players, and his second in command is a genius that shows him up at every turn. I have yet to read the one where he coaches andorra so maybe this is consistent with his approach to management there

[Cian Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in the Ross O’Carroll-Kelly saga is another home run for Paul Howard. This is the first book I remember actually disliking Ross for some of his antics and schemes, but of course he always finds a way to make things right…or does he?
Ross tackles misogyny, dementia and teenage drinking and driving in this book and even shows real development as a character. Could we be seeing a more grown up Ross in the next instalments? Probably not 😂

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but didn't laugh as much as usual. I was going to give it a bonus star for no pregnancies but then, at the very last second...

Seriously though, I know it's part of the satire but it's tedious because the new kids don't end up being characters the way Honor and Ronan are, they're just names that take up space.

And so I solemly pledge: If Honor gets pregnant before she's 18, I'm done. Done I tells ya!

[Jennifer Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ross O Carroll Kelly never fails. Laugh out loud moments and this is by far one of the funniest books in a while. Paul Howard is a genius I’ve followed every single book and I never tire of Ross and his adventures.

[Matthew Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, entertaining, but also deeply touching in a way you would not expect from Ross O’Carroll Kelly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself not putting it down. I will be sad when the series comes to an end.

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's R'OCK. It's formulaic but I did like the Womens team plotline.

Would I recommend? Yes.
Will I reread? Yes

[Conor Tannam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely daft but good fun.

[Victoria Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again another hilarious book, this time I definitely got emotional but it just added to the story.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best yet? Great for its focus on current issues.

[TJ Bourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ross somehow surviving cancel culture… A funny man. Some cracking one-liners 😂

[Éilis Treacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality as ever.

[Steven Culligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Side splittingly funny on every page.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hill! Air!

[Shane O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hillarious Ross O carroll Kelly,you'll be laughing from cover to cover at Ross latest antics,they have to start making movies about these books!!!

[Ghita saxbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rugby, Irish politics and Irish humour. Loved it!

[Claire Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not everyone's cup of tea, but I've been reading these books since I was a teenager, and I still get excited about them. Did not disappoint. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Debbie Jenkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the hil-air, psychotic yet somehow charismatic Ross. Genius dialogue that manages to poke a hole in received ideas about ourselves and yet retains the pace, and plot and somehow at the same time has a heart.

[Patricia Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual there are no words