Reading Ireland Month 2021: March 2021

I saw the announcement for Reading Ireland Month on the wonderful Cathy’s blog. How could I resist: Ah, gwan, ya will! other than to respond heartily with Ach, to be sure, to be sure, I will.

I’m very proudly Irish, having been born in County Donegal and then moved across the border to County Fermanagh so, when I saw this, I couldn’t resist taking part, especially as a re-watch of Derry Girls is encouraged and I might even get to buy bake some wheaten bread!

I’m going to read at least one book by an Irish Author each week during March and, hopefully, complete some other Irish related posts too!

These are the four I’ve chosen:

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The Storm Keeper’s Battle by Catherine Doyle. This is the final part in the Storm Keeper series which I’ve absolutely loved. It is not being released until the beginning of March but I have it ordered.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fionn Boyle, Storm Keeper of Arranmore, is facing the fight of his life. The terrifying all- powerful sorceress Morrigan has been raised from the dead and has sealed off the island from all help. Fionn is the only thing that stands between her and a dark future. He’s got to find a way to defeat her. But there are some terrible choices in store for Fionn as the dark sorcerer begins to take his nearest and dearest for her own. With only two candles left to burn, will Fionn master his powers in time to stop her?

The Eye of the North by Sinead O’Hart. This is the book that I absolutely credit with reigniting my love for children’s books and reading in general. I very rarely re-read books, but this is one I’ve wanted to go back to for a while now, and this seems the perfect opportunity.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When Emmeline’s scientist parents mysteriously disappear, she finds herself heading for a safe house, where allies have pledged to protect her. But along the way, she is kidnapped by the villainous Doctor Siegfried Bauer, who is bound for the ice fields of Greenland. There he hopes to summon a mystical creature from the depths of the ancient glaciers, a creature said to be so powerful that whoever controls it can control the world. Unfortunately, Bauer isn’t the only one determined to unleash the creature. The North Witch has laid claim to the mythical beast, too, and Emmeline along with a scrappy stowaway named Thing may be the only one with the power to save the world as we know it. Can Emmeline face one of the greatest legends of all time and live to tell the tale?

On Midnight Beach by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick. This one has just been long-listed for the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal, so I’m definitely interested in reading it. It’s also set in County Donegal so another reason to read!

Goodreads Synopsis:

Donegal, 1976. When a dolphin takes up residence in Carrig Cove, Emer and her best friend, Fee, feel like they have an instant connection with it. Then Dog Cullen and his sidekick, Kit, turn up, and the four friends begin to sneak out at midnight to go down to the beach, daring each other to swim closer and closer to the creature . . . But the fame and fortune the dolphin brings to their small village builds resentment amongst their neighbours across the bay, and the summer days get longer and hotter . . . There is something wild and intense in the air. Love feels fierce, old hatreds fester, and suddenly everything feels worth fighting for.

The Druid’s Tune by Orla Melling. I remember reading a time-slip story in school which took some teenagers back to ancient Ireland and the time of Cuchulainn. I think this might be it!

Goodreads Synopsis:

While visiting distant relatives in Ireland, a teenage brother and sister, curiously uneasy about the strange workman on their cousin’s farm, discover his strange powers when they are all transported back in time to take part in the struggle between Cuchulain of Ulster and Queen Maeve of Connaught.

I’m really looking forward to reading these books by Irish Authors, and hope to find a few more over the course of the month. If anyone has any Irish Children’s Author book recommendations, I’d love to hear about them.