JENN McKINLAY: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Since I set LOVE AT FIRST BOOK in Ireland, I believe my feelings about all things Irish are pretty clear.
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One of my favorite memories in Ireland was when a cabbie was giving me instructions on how to drive (yes, I drove the Ring of Kerry). He said, "Remember you always want to keep your passenger safe, so you always want your passenger on the curbside of the street." I nodded. This was sound advice. Then he said, "Or as we like to remember it, keep the bitch in the ditch." LOL. Yes, I wrote that scene into the book.
How about you, Reds? Who’s been to Ireland? What did you love about it? If you haven’t been, do you plan to go and what do you want to see most?
RHYS BOWEN: Big fan of Ireland here (which you might guess as my first heroine was called Molly Murphy). John’s grandfather was Irish, his great grandfather an important figure in representing the Irish negotiations for independence at Westminster. And one year we drove around the whole island–truly memorable. In almost four weeks we had one day of rain, which was a miracle. The scenery was spectacular, the people so warm and charming…and so quirky. I think one example sums it up best. We were staying at a B and B in Tralee. Our host told us about a hike over a waterfall that we would enjoy and gave us directions. “You drive along the loch and you’ll come to a lovely hotel. If you’ve a mind to have dinner there, it’s a lovely view over the water.” He went on to extol the hotel then added. “Now if you come to that hotel, you’ve gone too far.” You have to love the Irish. (Oh, and I loved LOVE AT FIRST BOOK, Jenn).
Jenn: Thank you, Rhys! I stayed in a castle in Tralee (exceeded all my expectations)!
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| Ballyseede Castle (my room was the windows above the red door to the right - middle turret!!!) |
HALLIE EPHRON: I have been to Ireland and absolutely loved it. LOVE the music which surrounds you at every turn. Walkable cities and towns. Gorgeous churches (see music). Verdant landscape. Absolutely a great trip. (AND they speak English!!)
Foodie that I am, I was prepared for the food to be “meh” but in fact it was sensational. I came home and bought a bottle of malt vinegar since it was so tasty on the wonderful fried fish but I’ve never used a drop.
The Fish Box in Dingle had the BEST fish stew and fish and chips I have ever ever ever eaten. A must place to eat!
LUCY BURDETTE: I’ve had some spotty visits to Ireland–I was in Dublin for a couple of days and also spent one day at the Giant’s Causeway (hordes and hordes of tourists) and overnight at a storytelling barn in northern Ireland. However, I have ancestors from Ireland and DNA that appears Irish, so I feel the pull to return. We are going back in the fall, if the universe is willing! I love reading books set in Ireland and listening to Irish music and now I can’t wait to eat the food! Happy St. Patrick’s day everyone. For now, imagine me beating back the hordes of spring breakers in Key West:)
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| Tonka and the spring break girls :) |
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: And picture me remembering not to go into Boston today because it is FULL. And I know a lot of people are having fun, but I am not a fan of green beer or green bagels. (Green bagels. WHY??)
Going to Ireland. Hmm. I have never been and I would absolutely adore to, it sounds magical, but I kinda think it’s not first on the list. But! You never know.
(And do you know the musical Wonderful Town? It is the best song about the Irish–called My Darlin' Eileen. It's from 1953, and you have to imagine it– it’s sung by a chorus of (dancing) New York cops, all Irish, who are welcoming the girl from Ohio, who happens to be named EIleen.
You have to listen to the whole thing–it’s perfect for today! My Darlin' Eileen (From “Wonderful Town Original Cast Recording” 1953/Reissue/Remastered 2001)
And oh, I couldn't resist, here is it on YouTube! Go to 1:12:46. SO funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsxzyqJX5wY
I am horrified to admit that I have never been to Ireland, although I would LOVE to go! Back when I was plotting what became NOW MAY YOU WEEP, my idea was to set it in Ireland, in a fictional version of the famous Ballymaloe cooking school–which of course I would have to attend for research. But my agent said no one was interested in books set in Ireland (one of the few times she’s been wrong) so I set the book in the Scottish Highlands instead. I wouldn’t change that book, but I’d love to get to Ireland someday, research or not!
How about you, Readers, who’s been to Ireland and who wants to go?
I've never been to Ireland . . . I would definitely love to go. Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend, Joan!
DeleteHappy Saint Patrick's Day to everyone! In August 2012, my husband and I flew to Dublin, where we spent a few days (and learned all about the ninth-century Book of Kells) and then rented a car and drove around the country for two weeks. We saw magnificent scenery everywhere, were haunted by ruined medieval churches, ate the world's best salmon (among other delicious things), and talked to a lot of lovely people. Oh yes, Ireland has great gardens, too. We were worried beforehand about the rain, but it came and went in frequent drizzles and turned out not to be a problem.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my father's mother's father, John Mullen, was Irish from County Cork.
DeleteHow wonderful! We went in Oct and the days were partly rainy. Not a problem as it was a soft rain.
DeleteThough my husband has an Austrian last name, his only-child father had married into his mother's HUGE Boston Irish Murphy clan. I was raised in a very quiet, very old-fashioned Episcopal family in Connecticut (I never once heard my father raise his voice) and when my fiancé brought me home to meet his parents for the first time, I was taken aback. His family all lived within a few blocks of each other. I had a few aunts and uncles but they were all in the Deep South and we saw them rarely. I walked into the Murphy Christmas party and there were DOZENS of relatives drinking and smoking and laughing and all talking at the top of their voices. Nieces and nephews were running and playing underfoot. There were screams of welcome to my fiancé and many shouted teasing remarks about him finding a girl at last. Talk about culture shock!
ReplyDeleteThat entire generation is gone now and I miss them. (Selden)
I should have actually answered the question! Sorry, Jenn! I almost never go anywhere, so I have not been to Ireland nor do I think about going. It's enough for me to read the history, look at photographs, and enjoy the old fiddle tunes. (Selden)
DeleteI stang with Selden
DeleteOh, Selden that sounds like my family! Lol. I’m so glad you’ve found a different way to visit.
DeleteI would very much like to go to Ireland. I love the music and the dancing. My friend brought me a pair of socks from there with sheep on them. I will wear them today. Love at First Book is next up on my pile, Jenn. I am hoping to start it today.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Brenda! Sheep socks are perfect for today!
DeleteGreat song, Hank! Thanks for the video share.
ReplyDeleteYes, loved it!
DeleteWe loved Ireland, from the Giants Causeway to Ring of Kerry and Aran Islands. Killarney was my favorite stop, both the national park and the town.
ReplyDeleteLoved Kilarney!
DeleteIreland is one of few western European countries I have not visited. It's on my list.
ReplyDeleteYou’ll love it, Grace. Highly recommend the Long Room at Trinity.
DeleteThough I've never been to Ireland and I really don't like to travel all that much, the country of my grandfather is definitely my #1 travel destination should I ever have the wherewithal to go there.
ReplyDeleteOf course, if it was a grandiose kind of trip, I'd like to go for a month to see a variety of sites that I've read about when I had a subscription to the Ireland of the Welcomes magazine. Somehow a week just doesn't seem like it would be long enough.
My best friend Ann, currently on leg #1 of her world retirement tour, has plans to be in Ireland for Halloween 2027 and has invited me to join her. I sure would like to do it though right now it doesn't seem like it will happen.
Guess I'll just have to write a runaway bestseller that sells to Hollywood for millions if I want to go...easy peasy, right? LOL
Jay, you can get Irish citizenship if your grandfather was born there!
DeleteTotally easy peasy, Jay. Lol. Also, what Edith said! My mom is getting her citizenship.
DeleteI've never been to Ireland, but I would so love to go. Rajan and I both love Irish music, and I have a sister-in-law who's Irish. Her family moved to England when she was 6, but she goes back periodically to Galway and a little village called Roundstone. I love the speech, the turn of phrase. Some of my favorite poets and writers are Irish. Oh, I hope we go one day.
ReplyDeleteHank, I, too, wonder about green beer and green bagels.
Galway was a favorite spot. The Wild Atlantic Way is breathtaking.
DeleteJenn, I love both of your books set in Ireland. I think that Irish Americans have a very colorful history that invites stories. The Irish are well known storytellers, with many myths and mysterious magic lore.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite Billy Boyle WWII Mysteries by James Benn is also set in Ireland. Although it is fiction, it describes some of the political intrigue and Ireland's position at that time. If I could go there, it would definitely be a natural history type of tour.
A natural history tour would be amazing!
DeleteI’ve been to Ireland only once and long ago, but it made such an impression on me although we were really only in Dublin and surrounding areas. It was at the height of Lady Di fever and I bought a little hat modeled after one she wore, at Brown’s department store. So chic, but I don’t recall ever actually wearing it. Celtic music is always at the top of my list. Being a descendant of Scotch-Irish immigrants from the north, I’d love to do more of a “genealogical” tour, but no immediate plans for that to happen.
ReplyDeleteThe Epic Museum in Dublin is a fabulous place to stop for genealogical info!
DeleteHappy St. Patrick’s Day. ☘️ Happy Birthday to my Mum, Eileen, who was born on this day but wasn’t Irish 💚I have been to England, Scotland, and Wales and will finally get to Ireland in 2026 ✅
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! You’ll love it!!!
DeleteWe were in southwest Ireland in 2005. Stayed in Kilorgin, near Killarney,(14 of us rented a duplex) and did day trips around the Ring of Kerr. The people were wonderful, the scenery spectacular, the pubs and food delicious, music all over, and we had days of sun. How is it we have yet to go back!
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect! I’m ready to go back, too!
DeleteI was there on St Patrick’s day fourteen years ago.
ReplyDeleteI usually planned my travels with public transportation like trains and buses but I couldn’t fit all the places I wanted to see travelling by myself in ten days so I bought an organized tour and against all odds it was very pleasant .
It was in a little bus of forty seven places in which I was the only French Canadian. All the others beside the guide-driver were Americans in the footsteps of their Irish ancestors.
I came back with a CD of an Irish quatuor The High Kings. I still listen to those beautiful voices introduced to us on the bus.
Debs, I can’t understand how your agent could say such a thing. It is all the stories I’ve read taking place in Ireland that brought me to want to visit it.
I was lucky enough to go to Ireland back in the '80s with my then boyfriend--who was of Irish heritage and grew up in Butte MT and learned Gaelic from his grandma. We rented a car and basically drove around the island. We got lost one night looking for "Ellen's Pub" in the countryside outside of Limerick, picked up a very drunk woman who was able to give us directions before we dropped her off. Ellen's Pub did have a traditional band going and it was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend went off to meet some of his cousins one night and came back very late and told me we were going to do his cousins a "favor" and transport something (unknown what, but I fear the worst) over the border into N. Ireland. We stayed at a very sweet B n B in the north, run by a lovely woman with 2 little girls. When we got up, whatever it was had been taken out of the car and the letters IRA scrawled in the dew on the window. Driving through Belfast later, and seeing the razor-wire and indications of the "Troubles", I felt terrible about my unwitting participation. Sigh. Maybe it makes up for the things my Orange Irish relatives did on the other side. I'm so glad N. Ireland seems to have found a way to lasting peace.
Ach, and Hugh and I are both confirmed Irish. But since our May 2020 trip there went down the tubes, we still haven't rescheduled. We need a music-and-food tour!
ReplyDeleteSheila Connolly and the saga of her County Cork cottage (which her daughter still owns...), plus her series set there, really brought the country to life for me. Sniff. One of these years I'll get there.
I should also have said that Love at First Book also brought Ireland to life for me - thank you!
DeleteI am one of the worst when it comes to travel and vacations so my out-of-country experiences have been limited. As much as I know my ancestry is connected to Ireland I have never been there nor had the desire to go there. However, all things musically associated with Ireland and other Celtic countries I have always been drawn to especially if it involves the fiddle, bagpipes and step dance. When I was young and had 8 years of dance classes under my belt I was about to embark on taking private step lessons when my instructor had a serious car accident, broke her back and had to close her dance studio. No one else in the area taught professional step dancing but this woman so the opportunity to learn the art of step ended for me. Years later while taking aerobic dance classes I was introduced to Celtic music, especially the fiddle, and I became hooked on Natalie MacMaster who hailed from Cape Breton. Her husband, Donnell Leary, is one of the most accomplished fiddle players I have ever heard. Both the MacMaster and Leary families are well known in Canada and all of them are remarkable musicians proficient at playing several kinds of instruments in addition to the fiddle. They are also amazing step dancers. I have seen Natalie MacMaster, her husband and the entire Leary family in concert many times. I defy anyone who can sit still when they are playing jigs and reels, etc. The Sanders Theatre in Harvard Square with its wooden floors is the perfect place to stomp one's feet as well as dance down the center aisle. :-) The resurrection of Irish step and dance through the creativity of Michael Flatley and his production of Riverdance was thrilling in the 90's and just celebrated its 30th Anniversary Right now I am also focused on two
ReplyDeleteI hit the key too soon...lol! I'll finish my last sentence by saying that I am focused on two brothers who have taken step dancing to an even higher level by incorporating all kinds of music around their routines. The Gardiner Brothers from Galway are remarkable! Now that I finished writing this I am wondering why I never have taken a trip to Ireland!
DeleteNatalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy are amazing! I have seen them & their kids perform together in Ottawa.
DeleteI love MacMaster!
DeleteOh my word, Grace and Edith ~ Are they not amazing performers?!! The entire history behind the MacMaster family (Buddy MacMaster) and the Leahy family is so interesting...each one of them so talented and endearing! The first time I saw Natalie MacMaster she was still single, the second time she and Donnell were married and her mom brought their first born onto the stage. Each time thereafter, of course, the MacMaster/Leary marriage grew larger with more children. I think they have seven now. It's so refreshing to witness them all come into their own as performers. And both Natalie and Donnell are so delightful and personable. I always feel as if I am sitting in their living room when they perform. I've only had the privilege of seeing the Leahy Family perform together just once and Donnell was with them. I brought my brother-in-law to see them as he loves Celtic music also. His family hails from Nova Scotia.. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
DeleteFrom Celia: Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. No, in all my travels never to Ireland whether north or south. Being English at birth I grew up with lots of negatives and I am so happy that things have changed between Belfast and Westminster for the better. I'm also happy that the US played such a huge role in healing this schism of centuries. But I won't be drinking green beer thank you.
ReplyDeleteThough travel is still not on my immediate list I love Irish cooking, books, poetry and music. I'm grateful for all these wonderous Irish gifts.
Two of my kids have been to Ireland. The last who went there first, went to a wedding held in Waterford Castle. Because it was a destination wedding, the hosts had various bus trips and places to see reserved for them before the wedding. Following the event, they rented a car and toured more of the country as well as Scotland and down to London. While in Ireland they fell in love with Irish Stew, and tasted it every time at every pub. He has since tried to recreate it at home with no real success.
ReplyDeleteFirst child went over second. She is not an adventurous anything especially tasting food. Therefore, she ate no sausages, no blood pudding, no irish breakfast – and no beer. Worst thing of all in my opinion, they ate no fish and chips! They were travelling by coach, so saw the ‘highlights’. Her husband really wanted to see Kilmainham Gaol, and lucked out with getting 2 tickets (very hard and expensive to obtain). They were both fascinated by it, and I will say, the pictures were intriguing and thought provoking.
Friends of ours went in the ‘80’s. They came back with “It is so green”. They were horse people (and we were sheep people) so their pictures were of long sweeping pastures and white fences going off to meet the faeries. As for us – only in our dreams.
Oh, and by the way, our surname is Patrick. The first question is Fitzpatrick? – No. Then you must be Irish. No again. Scottish and English from Sussex way, if you are into genealogy. Real Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon as the topping for supper – we can at least eat as though we were Irish.
Margo, I tried my hand at colcannon over the holidays and it was such a hit that it's a new tradition in this household!
DeleteThere is a recipe in the WaPo today!
DeleteNever been to Ireland. I think I would go if I could. The Hubby has family roots there. But I wouldn't want to go in a tourist heavy season.
ReplyDeleteI did, however, have a full Irish breakfast yesterday in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. I didn't eat for the rest of the day!
Liz, I was in Pittsburgh once for a convention--spent a grand evening in an Irish pub!
DeleteFlora, I think I read somewhere once that Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day parade was one of the country's best, so I'm not surprised.
DeleteThose who have been to Ireland know of the beauty so I won’t belabor that point. If you are so inclined to visit it, I will simply say that you will not regret it. The people, scenery, food, music, historical sites - it is beyond worth the trip. We spent two weeks on a self-guided music tour that began in Donegal (my favorite Irish music) and there was not one corner of our remote areas and villages trip that was not spectacular. I play Irish fiddle music and will say that if you also like it, the pubs in the smaller villages are filled with trad music every week. If you do your research you will find the obscure places where even the younger generation is holding firm to preserving this amazing music. The place is magical! What more can I say? I love it and the UK in general (where my ancestors all hail from so I feel a strong pull for sure!). Now, after writing about this, I am second-guessing our destination for a trip this year and wishing we were going back to Ireland instead…
ReplyDeleteI would dearly love to go to Ireland, even more so after reading what you described for us when you last visited, Jenn. My granddaughter and I had planned a trip for when she was 17 but then covid interfered and after that it was college and now a teaching job. Since I don't do well with crowds maybe it is best if I just stick with books and pictures.
ReplyDeleteHi Judi, don't let that stop you! Ireland is worth the trip. A lot of crowds can be mitigated depending on when you travel. But, we visited Ireland in late August (the high travel season) and didn't find too many crowds - at least not more so than other travel destinations.
DeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day. My husband (a lawyer) has a bright green rugby shirt with a button that says, "Member of the Irish Bar."
ReplyDeleteWe visited Ireland about 20 years ago. I loved the beauty of the island, the people, the pubs ... but don't remember the food. We stayed in a town in the southern coastal area (I believe it may have been Kinsale) where there were what appeared to be palm trees. Apparently the Gulf Stream moderates the climate.
I should add that the city I was referring to (my husband reminded me) is Bantry, in County Cork. But there are tropical plants in many of the cities in that area warmed by the Gulf Stream.
DeleteBantry was probably the most beautiful city and area we visited.
Jenn I had to Google the castle you stayed in. Holy shenanigans! What a spectacular place. I would plan a trip to Ireland just to stay there - and I might never leave. Well until my money runs out!
I have been twice and I am not even Irish. Oh maybe a little since I grew up in the South. First when I was a student leaving my semester abroad in France and it seemed a good idea to hitchhike through England and Ireland and come home via Shannon. Another, braver girl persuaded me. We had a terrific time. We stayed in student hostels and one night we were in a rather primitive hut with an outhouse and a well for water behind and another night in an old castle. You never knew but the people were lovely and it was amazingly green. I got myself a subscription to Ireland of the Welcomes and dreamed about it for years. Then some time in the 2000's my husband and I went with a small group (only 7 of us) on a tour of Irish gardens arranged by the botanical garden here. It was magical! We went in May as it rains there in April. Well, not that year. That year it rained in May. It was still spectacular . We had a fabulous guide who not only knew her gardens and got us into many private gardens as well as the known and important public ones, she also knew about Irish Georgian furniture and architecture. We toured from Dublin around the south ending up at Glin Castle where we stayed and had dinner with the Knight of Glin (who is now gone) when he and his lovely wife ran the Castle as a bed and breakfast. I would love to go back, but I will settle for having lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteAtllanta
What a fabulous trip! Green (!) with envy here!
DeleteNever been but would love to go. Have several acquaintances who live there and, courtesy of a pub I used to frequent in Tampa, FL, I know several more who now live in the US -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteFaith and begorrah! And a find day for the wearin' o' the green to all.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I both want to visit the British Isles, including Ireland, but we are waiting for our youngest daughter and her husband to have time to go together. They are both practiced drivers on the left, and it's the only way I will agree to go. Our driving experience in Australia showed how unprepared we were for that skill, and that was more than 15 years ago. And there weren't single lane roads with hedgerows on both sides.
Fine. Just fine. Grr.
DeleteI also looked up Ballyseede Castle, and was also wowed. It's surprisingly inexpensive, compared to US hotels, it seems.
DeleteHappy St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️. Irish music is alive and well here in Newfoundland & Labrador and St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in fine style.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have been to Ireland and loved every minute. We had a marvellous two weeks driving and exploring the country…Cork( my husband’s ancestors were from there) , Kilkenny( my ancestors came from there), Dublin, Waterford, Arran Islands, Galway, Belfast.
The scenery was beautiful, the people very hospitable and helpful.
I would love to return and visit some of the places we didn’t see first time around.
Dianne ( Foley) Mahoney
I was very surprised to learn (from a local Irish baker whose grandmother and mother hail from Ireland) that cabbage and corned beef isn't something they eat in Ireland. Same with green beer! It's interesting how customs change and adapt.
ReplyDeleteJenn, my Irish trip has been vicarious via your Love at First Book and your wonderful posts here about your travels, especially driving on the left! Thank you for taking me on this journey. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteIreland is beautiful and the people are so friendly. I've been twice. The first time with my husband and my parents. We drove about the island sightseeing until it was time to fly out again. My husband overcorrects and puts the bitch side of the car in the bushes frequently. The second time I drove (me!) my mother-in-law around in winter time. It snowed on us in Dublin at the end of the trip. My favorite experiences were getting driving directions from older men. They were hilarious. Reminded me of the two old hecklers on the Muppets.
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patrick’s Day to all the Reddies! I’ve not had the pleasure of visiting Ireland - yet. In the meantime, I’ll continue to make corned beef and cabbage and enjoy books like Jenn’s that are set on the Emerald Isle. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteHank, I just watched the clip from Wonderful Town. Thanks for sharing it. I saw Wonderful Town in the early to mid-80s as a stage musical. You’re right, it’s perfect for today! — Pat S
DeleteApologize if this posts twice--I taught the boys to roll their r's on St. Patrick's Day and say "Me great-grandmother was an O'Bryan" as soon as they could manage it. My O'Bryan ancestor sailed from Dublin to Virginia in 1766, and that's all I know about her. I'd go to Ireland in a heartbeat, circumstances permitting.
ReplyDeleteWe were supposed to go to Ireland for our 10-yr anniversary, but that was the year of the foot and mouth outbreak, so we didn’t. We later spent a weekend in Dublin before catching the ferry to Wales for a narrowboat trip. Dublin was lovely, just enough rain for a cozy afternoon in the pub or an excuse to duck into a shop for some tea and cake. Would definitely love to go back and see the countryside.
ReplyDeleteI envy you the Welsh narrowboat trip, Lisa!
DeleteAnyone I know or know of who has been to Ireland always say they love it and want to go back. Unfortunately, I have yet to go. My husband has expressed some interest in visiting Ireland, so I don't have to do that battle of convincing him it would be a good trip. My name, Kathleen, was taken from the song "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen," so I really should go see why "Kathleen" wanted to go home again to Ireland.
ReplyDeleteMy friend and I were in Dublin for about a week, went to the Cliffs of Mohr and visited small towns and shops, but I was mostly impressed by the friendliness and helpfulness of the people, and there were no exceptions. No matter what difficulty we were in, someone helped.
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! I have never been to Ireland, though I would love to go someday. When I was studying at Oxford, I was at the coach bus station when I saw a flyer for a coach trip, including a boat connection, to Ireland. Alas, my budget did not stretch that far.
ReplyDeleteIn honour of St. Pat's I am reading Love at First Book. I loved the setting in Ireland and this will be my third re-reading.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! I will not be drinking green beer--where did that tradition come from, I wonder? But I may be to treat myself to a reread of Jenn's LOVE AT FIRST BOOK!
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