Books

Older than Stonehenge, older than the Pyramids, Newgrange in Co Meath was built over 6,000 years ago. This remarkable Neolithic structure by the legendary River Boyne has fascinated visitors for millennia, but became a significant tourist site after its excavation and partial reconstruction by archaeologist Michael O’Kelly in the 1960s and 70s. Regarded as Ireland’s greatest national monument, Newgrange has entered Irish mythology through its associations with ancient deities, and today it continues to fascinate archaeologists and visitors alike.

A Pocket Guide to Newgrange and the Boyne Valley contains everything you need to know about one of Ireland’s most significant historical landmarks.

The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s most famous and most popular driving route, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Stretching from west Cork right up to Donegal, it is a place of incredible, breath taking scenery, with beautiful places to stay, delicious food and great craic.

This little book is both a guide to and a souvenir of one of the world’s most spectacular areas.

The Easter Rising was arguably the most important event in Irish history. It was an armed insurrection that occurred mainly in Dublin during Easter Week, 1916, mounted by Irish republicans intent on ending British rule in Ireland and establishing an independent Irish Republic. While not immediately successful, its consequences changed the course of Irish history forever.

This book explains what happened in the years before and after the Rising, as well as providing an exciting day-by-day account of the events themselves, and biographies of the leading figures.

When Moire O'Sullivan's husband, Pete, took his own life, she was left with a stark choice: to weep forever over the glass of milk that had just spilt or get on with the quarter that was still remaining.

As Moire charts the first harrowing year after Pete's death - the  shock, the loneliness and the difficulties of single parenting two young children - she also experiences glimpses of hope and acceptance as she trains to become a mountain leader. The people she meets through the mountains, as well as the peace and wild beauty of the Mournes, help Moire discover her inner strength and prove she is not alone in her struggles.

A year on from Pete's death, Moire takes on a circuit of the Mournes: a winter run that reflects the dark struggles her husband went through, but which also shows the power of nature, and the healing support of community.

From the first symptoms of serious unrest - the Divis Street riots of 1964 - to the tortuous political manoeuvrings culminating in the 2003 Assembly elections, the book traces the reality of life in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

It details the motivation behind the IRA 'armed struggle', the Civil Rights movement, the murder campaigns of various loyalist terror groups, the major incidents of violence and the response of the British security forces and the justice system.

It describes what it was like to live with bombs, army searches in the dead of night, death threats to politicians, activists and others. A detailed account of the political and personal toll of the Northern Ireland conflict.

Belfast: fluorescent brick, fluorescent with history, ingenuity, and potential.

Let Declan Hill guide your eyes around the unique and fascinating city of Belfast. Born in Belfast, Declan gives a personal insight into his native city not found in any generic guidebook.

This is a historic city, a revitalised city, a city of invention and creativity but also a divided city with large areas of abandonment and neglect.
Each walk has a map with numbered stepping stones of buildings, landmarks, and places to show you the way.

This book opens the city to the visitor but also invites people from Belfast to explore their home city.

From fearless aviator, Lady Mary Heath, the first woman in the world to parachute from an aeroplane, to Margaret Bulkley, the 18th-century surgeon who lived as a man, meet 28 remarkable Irish women who have taken the world by storm.

You may have already heard some of their names, like Countess Markievicz and Mary Robinson, but others, like Anne Sullivan, Lilian Bland or Anna Haslam, may be new to you.

Packed with fun, fascinating facts and stunning, full-page illustrations, this book celebrates the trail blazers who have shaped the world we live in.

Ready to walk in their footsteps? A world of bravery and discovery awaits you.

Made by two remarkable women, author Sarah Webb and illustrator Lauren O'Neill.

A fascinating look at the lifestyle and values of ancient Ireland

Thousands of years ago, Celtic Ireland was a land of tribes and warriors; but a widely accepted, sophisticated and surprisingly enlightened legal system kept society running smoothly.

The brehons were the keepers of these laws, which dealt with every aspect of life: land disputes; recompense for theft or violence; marriage and divorce processes; the care of trees and animals.

Transmitted orally from ancient times, the laws were transcribed by monks around the fifth century, and what survived was translated by nineteenth-century scholars.

Jo Kerrigan has immersed herself in these texts, revealing fascinating details that are inspiring for our world today.

By John & Fatti Burke 

Discover the WARRIOR KING that was BRIAN BORU!

Brian Boru grew up in a large warrior family over a thousand years ago in Killaloe, County Clare. One of twelve sons, Brian, and his brothers practiced raids on other countries near the River Shannon. Eventually, Brain's army and navy grew to be so big that he became the High King of Ireland. But up in Dublin, the Vikings were invading.
So he gathered his men and went into battle.

Colouring in is too much fun to just be for children, so pick up your pens and colour your way to calm.

Explore your artistic side with these wonderful designs, inspired by ancient Celtic patterns and motifs. An excellent antidote to the stresses of modern life.

The perfect form of art therapy for self-isolation.

This is your unofficial guide for an unforgettable journey along the Atlantic Coast, from the bustling streets of Belfast to the historic walled city of Derry/Londonderry.

You'll journey past cliffs, crashing waves, waterfalls, glens, beaches, and picturesque coastal villages along the winding road.

The entire route is around 200 miles long which means it can be done in a single day but that would involve missing out on many of the highlights. For the best experience of this iconic road trip, three or more days should do the trick.

Printed in Belfast on 100% recycled material
Packaged in a compostable plastic alternative

Conor Devine’s life changed forever after sitting in a neurologist’s office for seven minutes in 2007. At twenty-eight years old he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, advised to stop playing his beloved football and told to give up his job. Over the next four years he struggled with every aspect of life as his debilitating symptoms took hold. In 2010 Devine made a decision to fight back against his illness to get his life, body and mind back. He did this through embracing a vigorous exercise campaign along with completely changing his diet and approach to food.

During a goal-setting session at Christmas 2014, the author came up with an Against All Odds campaign comprising a training programme that would see him complete two marathons, two triathlons, a half Ironman and a full Ironman triathlon in twenty weeks. An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, an 112-mile bike and a full marathon, and it’s internationally recognised as one of the most severe endurance races on the planet. In this book Conor explains the training programme he adopted, the importance of nutrition and the key ingredients to developing an iron mindset. Wherever you are in your own life right now, there is no doubt that this truly inspirational account will encourage, inspire and motivate you to go on and achieve your goals in life. This is a very personal account of how one man overcame significant adversity to become an Ironman against all odds

Kitty just can’t get to sleep. It’s the fairies you see, they’re everywhere. Messing about, playing games, chasing each other, singing songs, dancing and demanding some very unusual sounding snacks. She knows she should be asleep, but what can she do? Dad will have to come and sort the fairies out. If only he’d believe her…

Written by Michael O’Neill, illustrated by Stephen Pierce.

By John & Fatti Burke 

Discover the REBEL GIRL that was GRANUAILE!

Granuaile (Granuaile O'Malley) was the daughter of the great trader and sea captain, Eoghan O'Malley of Mayo, 500 years ago. They lived in a castle in Clew Bay and Granuaile spent her childhood sailing in boats of all shapes and sizes. Granuaile's parents wanted her to be a lady and get married, but Granuaile had other ideas.
So she cut off her hair and set out to sea....

A fictionalized account of one family’s survival of the Irish famine.

Told through the eyes of 12-year-old Mary O’Flynn, the story begins in the summer of 1845 when the O’Flynns’ entire potato crop is destroyed by the blight. In the increasingly desperate times that follow, the family struggles to survive, finally gaining passage on one of the over-crowded "Coffin" ships bound for North America. Here they begin the process of rebuilding their lives on into adulthood. Original colour photography of artefacts and interiors helps to convey the drama of the O’Flynns’ struggle to survive and, together with Mary’s journal entries aims to create a moving account of a critical period in the history of Ireland.