Conference tallis::celt

    Re .0: Actually, most of the events and of the frame of the novel
    are historically accurate. The actual characters are fiction, but
    sometimes very thinly disguise historical figures (e.g. the old
    fenian character -I've forgoten his name- who is Conor Larkin's chief
    in the IRB toward the end of the book is, in my opinion, a disguise
    for O'Donovan Rossa, and there are many other cases here and there).
    Historical figures who are not directly part of the plot, such as
    Lord Randolph Churchill, are portrayed the way they are seen by
    most Irish nationalists today. The context of the action is correct
    and some events are inspired by real ones, like the fire at the
    shirt mill in Derry or the story of how the villagers survived (some
    of them, at least) during the famine.
    Don't think the story is true to the word, though; there were never
    earls of Foyle, for example, nor a Lettershambo castle on the eastern
    head at the mouth of lough Foyle (but maybe the equation Earl of
    Foyle = Marquess of Londonderry is not very far fetched).
    	I hope you'll enjoy the book as much as I did.
    			Denis.

    
    	The townland/town mentioned in the book does not exist. The
    particular area (according to the maps in the book) is just a couple
    of fields with an odd house here and there.I can understand why
    Mr. Uris used a fictional town but as someone who comes from the
    area it was a bit annoying. Good book!
    
    		Rgds
    			Maurice McMullin

    	The following trilogy by Walter Macken are very enjoyable
    
        
    	"Seek the Fair Land" - begins with the seige of Drogheda
    
    	"The Silent People"  - based on the Potato Famine
    
    	"The Sorching Wind"  - The 1916 uprising
    
    
    The books follow one family history from the 17th Century through
    to the early 1920's as far as I remember
    
    Dee
    

    I'm glad to hear that Trinity is a good book.  I am taking to Ireland
    with me in a few days.  I don't have time to read normally as I
    have plenty with my graduate classes.  So, I'm really looking forward
    to some reading "just for fun".
    
    My wife tells me that her father didn't like it as he felt the book
    did not flatter the Irish and/or made them look bad.  But, he's
    extremely biased and feels any Irishman could have no faults.
    
    Thanks for the info on the trilogy by Walter Macken.  My wife can
    read that and then we'll swap!
    
    ******************************************************************
    
    Also, I hear that there's a book just out that has a story line
    as follows: (a true story)
    
    A couple are living together in the very fast pace of New York City.
     The guy is either a native Irishman or at least of Irish descent.
     They decide to sell everything and move to Ireland.  The book is
    about that move and their first two years experiences.  It's supposed
    to give insight to the Irish mentality and give good info on
    restaurants, etc.
        
    This type of storyline has been something my wife and I have dreamed
    about: i.e. perhaps it's better to live a simpler, slower lifestyle
    if it's richer and more meaningful.  You can work like crazy for
    all the material luxuries, but when do you enjoy them!!  Life is
    too short to constantly be under pressure to succeed, etc.
    
    Please let us all know if you can find out the title and author!!!!
                                                                      
    Regards,
    JO'R
                            

    I talked to several bookstores and found the name of the book:
    
    O Come Ye Back To Ireland
    
    by Niall and Breen Williams
    
    Oct. '87
    
    SOHO Press
    
    Hardback $16.95
    
    Happy Reading,
    
    JO'R

Re trying to live a better life (.4 ?)

There's a column that appears in The Irish Times each week written
by - I think - Michael Viney, called something like Another Life.

He forsook civilisation (depends on yr viewpoint) and now
lives off the land in Ireland.  He writes about the happenings,
hardships, experiences, etc.

It's good reading.  For back issues, try the Times office in D'Olier
Street, Dublin.  I'd be surprised if he hasn't published a book at
this stage as he has a faithful flock of readers.

Bernard.

       	The title is:
    
    		      "O Come Ye back To Ireland"
    		     "Our First Year In County Clare"
    
    
    The authors are Niall Williams & Christine Breen. (husband & wife)
    
    The town they moved to was Kilmihil, County Clare.
    
    The book does not contain any restaurant information.

    The story and the "Local Characters" are very interesting.
    
    A fun book to read.
    
    
    
    
    keVin                                              
       

    < Note 299.7 by STEREO::BURNS "Britannia Waives The Rules" >
    		
re:    		-< I read it last month >-
                
    Good lad keVin - you've come on a lot since we last met.   
   
    -Dermot