A big thank you to everyone who participated in this week’s giveaway for copies of Heartscald: A Collection of Verses, Songs and Chronicles by Alphie McCourt.
It was lovely to read your wonderful feedback on the many books by the McCourt brothers. Thanks to everyone for your wonderful comments.

A big thank you to Alphie McCourt and Pillar International Publishing for graciously providing two paperback copies and three electronic copies of this book for our lucky winners……
Mary Sullivan - Paperback Copy
Cynthia Scroggins - Paperback Copy
Robert Tully - Electronic Copy
Brian - Electronic Copy
Marie Hall - Electronic Copy
Here are a few snippets from some of the comments left on the giveaway page.
"I love all things Irish and look forward to reading Mr McCourt’s book."
"I have a bookshelf full of McCourt books. I have all of Franks and , at least, three of Malachy’s. How I wish I could have met them and shared a Guinness or two."
"What I remember most of Alphie are his askewed quotations such as :"Better to be right and out on the street than to be half right and warm .""Say nothing and keep saying it ." And my favorite : "We march at dawn unless there’s no bagels." "
Thanks to everyone for these great insights.
Alphie McCourt stopped by to explain how he received the title of poet amongst all the McCourt brothers:
"I have been saddled with the word poetry because brother Frank told Dominic Taylor at the Limerick Writers Centre in Limerick that I was the poet in the family. By the time it came to my attention Frank was dead. Otherwise I would have sued him for defamation of character. People fear famine, floods, disease, torture-even death itself- but they fear nothing more than poetry. Me too. And so my stuff is mostly verse."
In typical Irish self-deprecating fashion, Alphie McCourt may deem his lyrical writings simply verse, but his words are poetry to my ears.
Congratulations to all our winners. I'll send e-mails to arrange sending of each person's prize.
A big thanks to everyone who commented and supported this giveaway. I hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Irish Books To Read
If you like poetry, and especially Irish poetry here are some ramblings you might enjoy...
Did You Know These 7 Authors Are Irish?
Finnegan's Wake with an Apostrophe
Happy reading to all.

Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Here are some other recipes and ramblings from Ireland, which you might enjoy...
Irish Life
- How The Irish Celebrate Saint Paddy's Day
- Christmas Pantomimes - An Irish Cultural Tradition
- A Dip In The Forty Foot - A Dublin Christmas Tradition
- Irish You Were Here - Monthly Update From Anne Driscoll
Online Jigsaws
- Cliffs At Mizen Head Online Jigsaw
- Online Jigsaw Puzzle Featuring An Irish Hot Whiskey
- Doagh Strand Online Jigsaw Puzzle
- West Cork Rainbow Online Jigsaw
Chris B
I have always enjoyed the gift of writing by the McCourt brothers. I was introduced through Frank McCourt's book Angela's Ashes. Congrats to everyone who won!!!
Irish American Mom
Chris - The McCourt brothers are all truly gifted writers, each with their own unique voice to share with the world. So happy to hear you enjoy their writing.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
Mairead, thanks for sharing Alphie's comments on being called a poet and poetry in general. Made me smile 🙂
Irish American Mom
Alphie's comments made me smile too. The title "poet" is a daunting one, but after reading Alphie's work, I think he should accept it with pride.
All the best,
Mairéad