Irish Book Recommendations For Christmas 2020

As a passionate supporter of books and reading, I love to recommend stories and publications to followers of Irish American Mom.

Here's a collection of some of my favorite volumes and books from 2020 and beyond.

I hope these recommendations help you find the perfect Irish or Irish American inspired gift, to entertain the readers in your life, right through 2021.

First up, is an Irish American tale.

Table of Contents

Brave Hearts By Jean Mahoney

Brave Hearts: A San Francisco Story: The Grit and Dreams of an Irish Immigrant Family is a novel by Irish American author, Jean Mahoney.

It recounts the story of her Irish family's American odyssey in the San Franciso area of California. A tale of tenacity and resolution, bravery and love, this is a wonderful book for anyone interested in Irish American immigrant tales and history.

You can purchase this book directly from Sisters Singing publishers.

Biography/Memoir

Memoirs, biographies and auto-biographies make significant contributions to the recording of Irish and Irish American social history.

Here are a few books that shine a light on rural Irish life in years gone by.

The House On An Irish Hillside by Felicity Hayes-McCoy tells the story of how a woman visits the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry and how her experience changes her life.

While learning the Irish language, the people of the small Irish village open her eyes to the wisdom and knowledge found in Celtic traditions. This is a tale of rediscovering lost values, and life-affirming love of family and the importance of community.

We Were Rich and We Didn't Know It: A Memoir of My Irish Boyhood by Tom Phelan is a tale of growing up in 1940's Ireland in County Laois.

Tom spent his formative years on a rural farm in the midlands of Ireland, where the back breaking work on a wet and muddy farm, create rich and colorful memories that shape the writer.

To School Through The Fields by Alice Taylor is a classic account of growing up in the Irish countryside, told by a woman with fond memories of her Irish childhood.

This favorite story is the biggest selling book ever published in Ireland.

The Soulswimmer by Alphie McCourt is a witty and insightful collection of stories, verses, and songs by Alphie McCourt, youngest of the literary McCourt brothers famous for their Irish memoirs.

This audio book will leave you feeling as if you just had a chat with an old friend, and together you pondered fond memories, talked of troubled times, and shared your  dreams and the great joys of life.

Non-Fiction About Ireland

Here are two wonderful recommendations for perfect Irish inspired coffee table books.

An Irish Nature Year by Jane Powers and Robert Vaughan is for nature-lovers and those who love Ireland.

Beautifully illustrated throughout this book provides daily meditations on the amazing world around us in Ireland.

Old Ireland in Colour by John Breslin and Sarah-Anne Buckley is a collection of vintage Irish photographs brought to colorful life through photographic restoration.

These amazing images record the history of Ireland through the decades with many and varied photographs of Irish life.

Irish Children's Books

Here are some wonderful children's books which are a perfect resource for Irish American families wishing to pass on an appreciation of all things Irish to the next generations.

Irelandopedia by John Burke and Fatti Burke, a father and daughter team, is a gorgeously illustrated reference book that takes little ones on a tour of Ireland's counties. A wonderful addition to book shelves for those who wish to celebrate and learn about their Irish heritage.

Historopedia: The Story of Ireland From Then Until Now also by John Burke and Fatti Burke, is an illustrated history of Ireland especially for children. It is a compendium of historical knowledge presented in illustrated snippets, perfect for children to return to, over and over again.

P is for Poetry: Poems from Irish Poets edited by Seamus Cashman, Corinna Askin and Alan Clarke, is a compendium of best-loved Irish poems for children, together with new verses that are sure to become favorites too.

The Story of Ireland is written by Brendan O'Brien and illustrated by Cartoon Saloon. This book is a spectacular tour of Ireland's history for younger readers, from the ice age to the present day.

Beautifully illustrated and a great read, this award-winning book is essential for every classroom and library: as well as being the perfect gift!

S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet by Eve Bunting gives readers a guided A-Z tour of this small island country whose influence extends far beyond its sea borders.

Famous landmarks such as the Blarney Stone and Finn McCool's Giant Causeway speak to the land and history that shaped Ireland and its inhabitants.

The First Christmas Sweater (and the Sheep Who Changed Everything) by Ryan Tubridy (Author) and Chris Judge (Illustrator) is a buoyant story filled with ewe-morous puns, about a multicolored sheep who loves Christmas so much, she inspires a seasonal ritual.

Happy Christmas Reading

And there you have it! A quick round up of Irish book recommendations for Christmas 2020.

I hope you find this post helpful, and that you'll choose the perfect book for those who hold Ireland dear.

Happy Christmas gift giving to all.

Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.

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