Ireland (Little-Known Facts about Well-Known Places)

Little-Known Facts About Well-Known Places

by David Hoffman

Trade Size Hardcover with Dustjacket. 199 pages. Inside Stories and Facts about well-known places in Ireland.

Genres: Travel, History, Nonfiction, Ireland

199 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Práxedes Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little book for people who already know Ireland. It has clever trivia woven into the oh-so-rich Irish history and folklore. Some of the tidbits are a little obscure, perhaps even irrelevant. But for people like me who enjoy the Irish character it is a fun read.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been fortunate enough to visit Ireland twice in my lifetime, and it's one of my favorite places in the world. This book provided insight on things that I didn't know, even after visiting the Emerald Isle. This book is funny, intriguing and educational, and the perfect read if you're looking for something quick. Would you believe that songwriters Frederick Weatherly (who wrote the lyrics for 'Danny Boy'), Jack Judge ('It's a Long Way to Tipperary') and Thomas Westendorf ('I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen') never set foot in Ireland?

Some of my favorite passages from the book:

"...the Pogues originally called themselves Pogue Mahone, which is Gaelic for "kiss my ass."

"In Ireland, condoms were known by religious zealots as 'sheaths of Satan' and it was not until 1985 that they became available without a prescription."

"'Fecking' is definitely intended to be used as an Irish alternative to a swear word, but not the one most people think. Despite the way it sounds, it does not have the same meaning as f**king, nor is it as offensive; a better equivalent would be the British 'bloody.'"

[Haley Kilgour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will you come out knowing a lot more about Ireland? No. Might you be able to impress some of your Irish American friends? Probably.

The facts given are pretty much just little tid bits. Enough to be interesting and remember, but not enough information always to really give the whole story.

Still, if you’re going to Ireland or are Irish in ancestry, it’s a fun and quick read.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick book with random facts. Some facts were only partially true, according to other sources.

[melydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, this was really cute. I learned a lot of fun facts about Ireland that I never would have even thought to ask about. It's a quick read with large print, something you can either pick up and read a few pages every so often or zip through all in one sitting.

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

Late-night attempted insomnia cure. Mildly entertaining but very lightweight

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book packed with trivial, but very interesting facts about Ireland.

[Kim Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed! Funny and interesting.