The Land That Isn't There: An Irish Adventure

by Leonard Wibberley

Leonard Wibberley takes his children Kevin (age nine) and Patricia (age seven) to Ireland to teach them about their Irish roots. He helps his children experience the Ireland of his own childhood that is in danger of being lost as modern Ireland struggles to find its place among the countries the world.

183 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1960

About the author

Also wrote under his full name Leonard Patrick O'Connor Wibberley and under
Patrick O'Connor as well as pseudonyms Christopher Webb and Leonard Holton

Reviews

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book, minus jacket cover, at the local library sale, so I had no idea what the story was all about. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it seemed to be a true tale of a father taking his children to Ireland for a few months in order to discover their Irish heritage. The book proved to be a humorous tale of a long vacation.

[Mike K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for the right readers. It was written in 1960, well before Ireland was any sort of destination. Wibberley was born and raised in Ireland but left and settle in California. He was more prolific than I realized - I knew him through the Mouse that Roared series of books. There was a Peter Sellers movie from the Mouse That Roared, in which he played the usual half a dozen characters.

Anyway, this book is small and light. It's a recounting of his stay in Ireland with two young children. They live in the west for about 2 months and experience day to day Irish life. It's a delight because the tourism trade hasn't had much, if any, of an effect on the people.