Historical Fictionistas discussion

Hi! I’m relatively new here, so I hope it’s okay that I ask for some recommendations? I usually read James Joyce (such a favorite of mine) this time of year. But I have to admit that I’m just not feeling him this year. Any suggestions for great Irish authors or Irish themed books? Historical is my favorite genre, but if you have a great read that’s a bit more modern, I’ll take it.
Thanks!
Lani

One of my all time favourite books is Star of the Sea byJoseph O'Connor.

I also loved A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry

On the Modern Side: I would recommend The Spinning Heart Donal Ryan its modern and different.

Thanks! I really appreciate all the recommendations!

Oh my goodness! I've never heard of Leon Uris, but what I've read of him and his books, and I'm a big fan now! A big thanks to you!

Oh, and I couldn't find Ruan O'Donnel in Goodreads, but I'll keep on looking for him.

I read Trinity in February and really enjoyed it. I also read Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelley and thought it was quite good as well.

I will eventually get to more Leon Uris books.

This will be the first St. Patrick's Day since Maeve Binchy passed away. Her fiction isn't really historical, but it's certainly Irish. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt isn't fiction, but it is historical.

LemonLinda wrote: "I read Trinity in February and really enjoyed it. I also read Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelley and thought it was quite good as well.

I will eventually get to more Leon Uris books."

I just bought Redemption. I'm so excited to read it!

Why didn't I think of Maeve Binchy? I read Circle of Friendsafter I saw the movie, but haven't read any of her others. I'm going to have to now, huh?

And I'm a little bit in love with Frank McCourtso I probably should read something by him too. Oh, I love all these recommendations! Thanks!

I keep meaning to buy her last book. She seemed like such a genuinely warm person. And I loved Angela's Ashes. It can be a hard read at times because Frank McCourt's childhood was so hard, but his prose is lyrical.

For pure history give Paddy Whacked Paddy Whacked: The Untold Story of the Irish American Gangster a try. It's Irish Americans at best being the worst and evolving.

P.S. St. Patrick's Day is my birthday and I'm Irish to my toes.

Well,a big happy birthday to you, Steve! I hope you have a wonderful one. And thank you for the recommendation! I'm going to add that to the list.

My favorite Maeve Binchy is Tara Road

Ah, now I know which of Binchy's book to read first! Thank you, LemonLinda! And thank you Kathleen and Steven too! I think McCourt's writing is so beautiful, mixed with such brutality that I'm just in awe with everythig he's written.