I Never Knew that About Ireland

by Christopher Winn

In this wonderful compendium, Christopher Winn gives a tour of the four provinces of Ireland---Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster. Find out where dreams were inspired, ideas were born, and where the unforgettable heroes of Ireland’s past now slumber. A treasure trove of fascinating stories, I Never Knew That About Ireland is packed full of information on the colorful history of the Emerald Isle. 
 
This irresistible book gives a captivating insight into the heritage, memories, and monuments that have shaped each county in Ireland, searching out their secrets and unearthing their hidden gems. 

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Ireland, History, Irish Literature, Historical

309 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kottigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Це надзвичайно нудно. Я розраховувала на якийсь цікавий нонфік про Ірландію, а отримала просто сухе перерахування фактів про кожне графство. Деякі з них доволі пізнавальні, але загалом я не готова витрачати час на подальше читання, життя надто коротке, а список читання ще надто довгий

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is true that this book has a lot of great trivia, but I also found a few major mistakes in there that made me think...hmmmm...what else could he have said that was wrong?

[Waltram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read other books in the "I never knew that about..." series, and to be frank I was wondering how the author could write so much about Ireland as about England, which is vastly more populous. Although the book does stretch it a bit with what I consider useless trivia (northernmost point in Ireland, westernmost town in Ireland, oldest building in this or that county...), it contains the essential of what one would want to know about Irish history and geography. There are a few mistakes (the Gallarus observatory is in fact the Gallarus oratory !) and quite a few people (mostly scientists) described in the book are Englishmen (Robert Boyle, Thomas, Harriot, the Parsons) or Scots (John Boyd Dunlop) whose only reason to be mentioned at all is that they lived for some time in Ireland or were born there. Unfortunately, unless you already know them or can guess from their surnames, there is no way of telling as the author never mentions who is not Irish.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so lucky to have a sister-in-law who gives books! I’d never heard of this one, but received it as a gift as we were planning a trip to Ireland. Although I found the chapter distribution confusing -- it's done by the original regions of the island, so not necessarily how one would travel about -- I never would have went to such fascinating places based on this book’s descriptions. The way the author describes things, you just had to go -- Loughcrew and Monasterboice are just two. And there were many we wanted to see, but didn’t have the time. A fabulous read for those going to the Emerald Isle, as well as those just interested in the topic. Cool illustrations too.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book highlights nearly every historical happening in each county of Ireland. I was familiar with some of the stories about the IRA and the Irish folklore. It was interesting to read about the Irish inventors who made huge contributions, such as, airplanes and submarines.

I loved reading the tid-bits about how the Irish Coffee came to be, the limerack, and Grace O'Malley (most famous Irish pirate). I also loved the illustrations throughout the book for a visual. I did Google a lot of the buildings that were referenced.

[Chas Bayfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books never disappoint. My copy has plenty of page corners turned over to remind me of places I want to visit once the pandemic ends, and Wikipedia was kept busy as I followed up on many of the weird and wonderful stories touched on by the perennially fantastic Mr Winn.

[Emma Grogan · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an Irish person interested in history, this was surprisingly boring to me but I’m sure could be interesting to others.

I found myself rushing through most of the facts since they didn’t interest me at all. Some of them were very interesting, though, and worth looking into further.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of interesting stories and facts about Ireland.

[Gareth Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 Reading Challenge Book 20.
I NEVER KNEW THAT ABOUT IRELAND by Christopher Winn
🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐

Appropriately enough as St Patrick’s Day approaches, I have just finished this really lovely book, dipping in and out of it for a couple of months. Bursting at the seams with stuff I am ashamed I didn’t know about the place where I live – myths and legends, inventions and adventures – Christopher Winn brings the four provinces together in memorable fashion.

Things I didn’t know include:

There’s a stone from each of Ireland’s 32 counties in the structure of St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.

Frederick Hervey, the Bishop of Derry, once made his priests race each other on Downhill beach for the prize of a curacy.

Buffalo Bill Cody was from Wexford.

Tayto was the world’s first flavoured crisp, in vented in Dublin in 1954 by Joe ‘Spud’ Murphy.

The Dursey Island cable car is licensed to carry three passengers and one cow.

The oldest footprints in the western hemisphere (385 million years old) can be found on the sea cliffs of Valentia Island, Kerry.

But it’s the quiet passages in this book I really like. Such as his entry for Mona Incha abbey in Tipperary:

“There is a lovely small church her, with a richly sculptured doorway, and part of an ancient Celtic cross. This is one of those places that Ireland does so well, an exquisite architectural gem abandoned, but somehow still loved, and set in emerald exclusion. In Ireland you can experience the past, undisturbed, like nowhere else.”

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ireland is like nowhere else. Ireland is magnificent, mischievous, moody and misunderstood. It is Europe’s Farthest West, the edge of the known world, a step too far for the Romans, a land wreathed in mist and mystery.”

Absolutely loved it, will definitely be dipping in to remind myself of all the fun facts I’ve now learned!

[Lilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book, lots of great trivia!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your planning a trip to the Emerald Isle...this is a must read...I didn't finish it until I got home but it made more sense after hearing the history on the trip.

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative. We all could learn more about Ireland.

[Megan Easley-Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts on I Never Knew that About Ireland

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