With authors such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett hailing from the Emerald Isle, Ireland has cultivated a name for itself as a country of writing and literature. Books set in Ireland portray the vast history and beauty of the country, from Dublin and the chaos of the city, to village life in County Limerick. Below, we round up five of the best books set in Ireland to add to your reading list.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
A list of Irish novels wouldn’t be complete without this modern classic. Set in Sligo and Dublin, we follow the turbulent relationship of Marianne and Connell as they navigate school, university and employment while in an on-and-off again relationship. The writing is spectacular and really paints a vivid image of life in rural and urban Ireland as a young person in the 21st century.
Rooney’s other novels are also fantastic at portraying Ireland, and adaptations of Normal People and Conversations with Friends have accelerated her popularity.
A History of Loneliness by John Boyne
CW: historic sexual abuse
The author of The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas explores religion in Ireland in this harrowing page-turner. The topics are incredibly heavy as we follow the story of Odran, an Irish priest, as he recalls – and ultimately ignores – the crimes of priests around him that have been swept under the rug for many years. It also explores the idea of love within religion and the restrictions this can cause.
The themes of the novel are difficult, but it feels like an important book which gives a voice to victims and brings awareness of the failings of the Catholic Church.
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
Another adapted novel is Brooklyn, set in 1950s rural Ireland as young woman Eilis struggles to find a job. In a meeting with an Irish priest, Eilis is encouraged to move to New York where there are plenty of job opportunities. She leaves behind her small town life to life in a large city, where she meets Tony, an Italian American man. As we follow her struggles with homesickness and becoming independent in a new country across the world, we are drawn into her experiences. The film adaptation starring Saoirse Ronan has also accelerated the popularity of the novel.
The Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O’Brien
The 1960s trilogy by O’Brien follows young women Kate an d Baba in rural Ireland as they leave their convent school in search of love and life in the big city. They struggle to maintain their relationship and must ultimately conquer life separately, as we see them each follow their passions in the series.
Often credited as novels that broke the silence on sexual matters and social issues during a repressive post-war period in Ireland, the books explore topics such as sexual exploration and female empowerment. The books really give a voice to the women of Ireland and are a must-read for anyone interested in recent Irish female history.
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
This memoir begins in New York but largely is set in Limerick and tells the story of Frank McCourt’s childhood in rural Ireland, and explores his family struggles with poverty and his father’s alcoholism. Against a backdrop of the Great Depression and the Second World War, we follow young Frank’s life. Despite controversies surrounding the truthfulness of the memoir, the story is powerful and a real insight into poverty in Ireland.
Each of these books set in Ireland portray different elements of life there. From country living, to immigration and female empowerment, Irish writers create a voice for each individual from Ireland and create novels with something for everyone.
Read next: The best books set in London