The Smartest Man in Ireland

by Mollie Hunter

Boasting that he is the smartest man in Ireland, Patrick Kentigern Keenan decides to outwit the fairies to prove himself and engages in a battle of wits that results in the enchantment of his son. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Magic

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Maureen Mollie Hunter McIlwraith was a Scottish author. She wrote under the name Mollie Hunter. Mollie Hunter is one of the most popular and influential twentieth-century Scottish writers of fiction for children and young adults. Her work, which includes fantasy, historical fiction, and realism, has been widely praised and has won many awards and honors, such as the Carnegie Medal, the Phoenix Award, a Boston Globe - Horn Book Honor Award, and the Scottish Arts Council Award.

There has also been great interest in Hunter's views about writing fiction, and she has published two collections of essays and speeches on the subject. Hunter's portrait hangs in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and her papers and manuscripts are preserved in the Scottish National Library.

Her books have been as popular in the United States as in the United Kingdom, and most are still in print. Critic Peter Hollindale has gone so far as to assert that Hunter "is by general consent Scotland's most distinguished modern children's writer."

Reviews

[Ehryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mollie Hunter’s depiction of fairies is tricksy, vindictive, and proud, almost similar to Patrick himself, though the main difference is cruelty. The fairies can be cruel while Patrick abhors it. I really enjoyed how traditional this story felt; I’ll probably try getting my friends to read it.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books we have ever read (the 3rd graders and myself, that is). Patrick Kentigern Keenan always thought he was smarter than everyone else. He tried to prove this through a variety of ways, such as taking a leprechaun's cattle and a fairy's horse and saddle. This book had lots of adventure, like when Patrick stuck the iron knife into the fairies' door. Also, we liked how Patrick changed over the course of the story. In the beginning, he thought he was the smartest man in Ireland. After it ended, he realized that he may actually be the bravest man. Patrick also learned from his mistakes, which truly makes him smart.

[Kirsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book full of short tales about Patrick Kentigern Keenan and his encounters with the fairy folk. I plan on reading this to my kids, for though I can't mimic an Irish accent for the life of me, I think it will still be a delightful read-aloud.

[Ceridwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for St. Patrick's Day read aloud. Clever, fun, covering many segments of Irish mythology. Comes together as a whole at the end. Could be read as short stories. I liked the silver bridle segment best.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great kids book. I think the stories would be great "read aloud" stories for kids during the month of March and bring some background to ST. Patrick's Day.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because when I saw it in my granddaughter's backpack I was intrigued. It was tons of fun with a great moral.

[Nathan Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this for practice public speaking. Funny stuff that may not be as familiar as other folk tales.