Irish Readers discussion

Just writing this to see if maybe the group could be restarted.... currently reading The story collector by Evie Gaughan. First 50 pages I was going to give up on it thinking it seemed too 'stage' irish but now over half way through and loving it so far

I'd be interested as well in getting involved in discussions and choosing books monthly etc.

Also interested in restarting the group. Happy to make recommendations for group reads.

Recommend away.

U

What about “Amongst Women” by John McGahern? A powerful novel about family relationships in rural Ireland in the the 1950s

About 20 years ago I read a great book by an Irish author. Well written and funny. Set in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. The main character knew a girl who had a Gaelic name he said sounded something like "earache".
Do you know this book?

Hi Travelin, i think if you take a look at the Ireland portrayed in Dolly Considine's Hotel, you may well change your views about Ireland regressing.
Technically Leo wasn't reelected, his party and Micheal Martin's party (between them) won a majority (2020) and entered into a coalition, with Sinn Fein becoming the official opposition. Leo has just become Taoiseach because the coalition agreed to switch roles half way through the 4 year term. Micheal first then Leo. Elections again in 2 years.

Dolly Considine's Hotel

Well Travelin, as an Irish person who actually lives in Ireland, your comments are offensive, as no doubt you intended them to be. I suppose you expect Ireland to stay back in the dark ages instead of moving on like the rest of the world. Let me guess, your favorite movies are The Quiet Man and Darby O'Gill and the Little People?

I suspect nothing I say will change your mind Trav, but to correct you on a few points. Leo Varadkar is Irish. General elections in Ireland are there to elect constituency representatives. And it is the elected representatives who elect their party leader and Taoiseach. Our Taoiseach does not have the same powers as the US President.
Re the 2nd book on my list, i co-wrote one of the non-fiction pieces in it about being the child of LGBT+ parent(s). An important research area, I'm sure you will agree.
Regarding Dolly Considine's Hotel, it is certainly NOT about a woman looking for an abortion in 1983. But i won't spoil it for you in case you want to read it.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Var...

and policies such as marriage equality, and the right to safe legal abortion were supported by representatives of all parties, both in power and in opposition. Furthermore both policies were voted on by the Irish electorate in referendums, and overwhelmingly approved. Leo Varadkar may have been Taoiseach at the time, but he was responding to what the people of Ireland wanted, a tolerant inclusive country. Who could be against that?

Soooo, is that a no then? I’d be interested in being a part of this group if restarted.

It would be nice to have an Irish discussion group on Goodreads. Maybe you should post a topic Chris McArdle and see if you generate any interest. Good luck

I'd like to restart it too, as long as the likes of travelin (uneducated), who is also myopic, racist, has small brain syndrome, opinions are excluded

Why is Travelin in this group if not to cause Mayhem and dicord. Boot the racist out.

The rest of us are to discuss books. And you do seem to be preventing that Trav. Maybe you could find a better location to carry out your Ireland improvement works, And then this group could get back to talking about books.

Well Trav, why don't you post a review of a relevant book, and get the ball rolling?

Hi Trav, fascinating review and selection of comments. Very scholarly. I can't usefully comment, as it is outside my areas of interest. But well done.