Irish Biography

Heavily involved in the Irish fight for independence from the 1880s on, Thomas Kent waited in Cork for orders during the 1916 Rising. During a gunfight at his home, Thomas' brother Richard and an RIC Constable were killed. He was executed by firing squad in Cork Barracks on 9 May 1916.

The story of Tom Barry's life, peppered by his battles with the State and Church, and his constant endeavours to obtain an All Ireland Republic makes him a unique and important figure of Irish history. In 1949 when he addressed huge crowds in New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Boston, his voice rang out - 'My one aim is to unite the Irish people - one race...The Border will not fade away, or the Partition will not be ended until such time as the united strength is used in a supreme effort to get rid of it.

The first biography of new Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, an inspiring tale of personal struggle and political intrigue. Varadkar has been both highly visible and a key player in negotiations between the EU and Britain over Brexit and issues surrounding the Irish border with the North.

My Name is Philippa is a remarkable memoir, and above all, a story about love, understanding and a family who stuck together as Philippa moved from husband and father to wife and mother.

When a career-ending injury saw former Ireland and Millwall striker Richie Sadlier retire from football at age 24, his life spiraled out of control. Without structure or a sense of purpose, and fueled by a dependency on alcohol, he spent years running from the dark memories and feelings that had haunted him since childhood. Until one day, he hit rock bottom and decided to confront his demons

The inspiring story of how the Salisburys, enthusiastic but amateur gardeners, transformed an unloved rural wasteland into a thriving, renowned wildlife garden. A celebration of the Irish countryside and its wildlife with great warmth, humour and lightness of touch that reminds us of the profound importance of maintaining a connection to the land.

From Afghanistan to Ireland: The Memoirs of Nasruddin Saljuqi

With dry humour, this book charts, in prose and poetry, one man's attempt to preserve his identity while in prison and on hunger strike.

Documents a day in the life of Bobby Sands while he was imprisoned in Long Kesh. Written on toilet paper with a biro refill and hidden inside Bobby Sands' body it is a gripping story of human bravery, endurance and courage against a backdrop of suffering, terror and harassment and contains frightening examples of mans inhumanity to man.

Peig is an Irish novel first published in 1936. It is suitable for Leaving Certificate Irish.

Storytelling kept alive the myths, legends, and history of the Blasket Islands, which are three miles off Irelands Dingle Peninsula. In her old age, Peig Sayers, 'the Queen of Gaelic storytellers', recounted her life to her son, who recorded the tale in this book. She recalls the events of her life and her simple philosophy.