In celebration of the coming St Paddy's Day, and the fact that so many in this country have some Irish in their lineage - It occurs to me that some of you may have an interest in Irish history. Over the years - since my daughter became so wrapped up in Irish traditional music - I have, by default, spent many hours sitting in on lectures of both Irish history and the history of Irish music and its role in the culture - this leading to an interest on my part in reading more on the subject.

Now, I do love history and I do love to read, but I don't much love reading dry history so I tend to look for well researched historical fiction. Well researched is key, but I remember history better if I can associate it with people, how they lived, how the larger incidents in history affected the lives of everyday people - it just seems more relevant to me if I learn it that way.

So, in a continuing theme that seems to be building here (along with updates on Rosalie) I have some book recommendations for you.

The first is Trinity by Leon Uris. Much like his Exodus and The Haj do for understanding on a personal level of the situation with Israel and the Middle East - Trinity addresses the "troubles" in Ireland - the struggle between Republicans and Loyalists in Ireland. Also as in Exodus and the Haj, the story will frustrate you - twisted my gut - but is gripping to read and sheds light.

The next is actually a series of books written by Morgan Llywelyn. They are known as the Irish Century series. In spite of her decidedly Welsh name, Llywelyn presents a very well researched history of the struggle for Irish home rule beginning in the early 20th Century. These books should be read in order as they trace a family from the build up to the Easter Rebellion of 1916 through the eventual establishment of Ireland as we know it now and the struggle with Great Britain in Northern Ireland. The books are: 1916 - 1921 - 1942 - 1972 - and 1999. Llywelyn does a great job weaving the major historical figures and events throughout the books and has a very good appendix presenting thumbnail sketches of the places, individuals, and events as well as further reading if you are so inclined to research yourself (I am not). Certainly if you ever plan to visit Ireland I would whole heartedly recommend you read this series before going over, you will understand much better what you see, read, and hear while there. These people, places, and events are still very much a part of everyday life in Ireland.

Llwelyn has written many other historic fiction novels set in Ireland as well that can be a lot of fun to read - Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Brian Boru - Bard to name a few. These are all of a more ancient history of Ireland and if you find you are enjoying her books then by all means, dive in. I've read a bunch of them - just plain fun.

There are many many more books available, many others that I have read - and still more that I own but have not read - but I have given you what I have found to be the best for an enjoyable set of reading. They will leave you with a good understanding of the Irish as they really are - and perhaps a bit of why they are the way they are. At least as much as you can generalize any people as a cultural group.