O Come Ye Back to Ireland: Our First Year in County Clare

When I traveled to Ireland two years ago and felt like I'd "come home" from the beautiful scenery (I never knew there could be *that* many shades of green) to the friendly people, to the rather mystical appearance of a Dolmen-shaped cloud in the sky just after we had viewed Dolmen in north County Clare, the experience was one I will not only never forget but hope to repeat sometime soon. During this time it was County Clare which spoke to me most of all.

Niall Williams, born in Dublin and Christine Breen, from New York, have left their Manhattan home to move to County Clare and into the cottage where Chris's grandfather was born. The struggles and triumphs of their first year are engagingly told in this wonderful little book. I was able to be transported back to the rural west of Ireland I learned to love in just a few short days.

In leaving their jobs and friends in Manhattan, Niall and Chris took a very big risk. To go to a place with no central heating, a telephone out of the early 20th C., and to one of the wettest summers on record took real courage. They quickly fit right in with their neighbors and by the time they host a New Years Eve party they are definitely one of "them."

If you're an armchair traveler, someone who's visited the Emerald Isle, or just hope to someday, this is a story to cherish. I have also now read their book of travel essays and am awaiting arrival of their other two books which I have recently ordered.

Although I am too old to do what Niall and Chris have done, it's great to live vicariously through them! Well done!

This is a great and heartfelt book, and one that should be read by anyone who is considering a move back to simpler times, slower pace of life and the riches they can bring - or not. I will return to Ireland one day for good, I've been there many times in the last few years and now own a small farm in Leitrim to which I will go for the quiet roar of silence.

Before I knew it, I was done with this book and on-line ordering all three of Niall Williams' next books. Rather than just another quaint book about "the Irish", this book weaves a funny and entertaining story of two Americans trying to fit-in in rural west Ireland. From learning the customs to waiting to get a party-line phone, there was a smile on every page.

For anyone who loves Ireland, whether having been there or not, this is an excellent book. The style of writing is friendly and easy to read with a rhythm that brings one in. Details paint the picture of their life so clearly that one feels to be there with them experiencing their ups and downs alongside. This book truly gave me an idea different from that of what I had about the difficulty and harshness is the life of those who farm on the west of Ireland. But I doubt the joy, camaraderie and closeness of those who make it is often matched anywhere else.
Reading the first book made me long for more of the same so I purchased their next book. And then, having given my copies to a fellow traveler, had to buy another of each so I could reread and keep them, but only for loaning out now!

Easy read, entertaining and educated me about what County Clare was like a few decades ago. Took place in the area my grandmother came from so was especially interesting to me. On a recent trip to Ireland, I met one of the authors, Christine Breen. She gave us a tour of Kiltumper Cottage which was center stage of the story. Fascinating lady. And such a treat to see the cottage I read about! Highly recommend this book!!