Destination: Ireland and Scotland
A GUEST POST by Jessie Vogts
Jessie writes: For our upcoming trip to Ireland and Scotland, I contacted several of my favorite travel writers and asked them for their top tips. Here are Favorite Books about Ireland and Scotland.
The Good Night and God Bless series provides a wealth of information on cheap, clean, safe and well located accommodation in the convent and monastery guesthouses of both countries (and England too). Also included are tourist activities, things to do and see and suggestions on where to eat (and drink). Trish Clark
Mozart’s (Jeanne’s daughter) favorite books about Ireland was a wonderful historical fiction series that starts with Under the Hawthorne Tree by Marita Conlon-McKenna. Jeanne, Soultravelers3
A Sense of Belonging to Scotland by Andy Hall. And my battered, years-old copy of Let’s Go: Ireland, probably, said Kerry Dexter, Music Road.
The Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga by Rutherford. Chris Christensen, Amateur Traveler
Tales of Old Ireland by Malachy Doyle is a lovely collection of favorite Irish folk tales that take on a modern sensibility without losing the tradition. And, though this is a children’s book, parents and kids alike will both fall for the whimsical and luminous illustrations. These are stories and images that can be enjoyed over and over again. Jeanine Barone, J, The Travel Authority
If you’re going to the less-visited Beara Peninusla, read about the old mines near Castletownbere in Daphne du Maurier‘s Hungry Hill. For the Aran Islands, read a memoir by the people who lived there, like Peig, by Peig Saylors. Or read the memoir The Aran Islands by John Synge, or his plays based among the fisher folk of the islands. Vera Marie Badertscher, A Traveler’s Library
I love the Sawdays books – Special Places to Stay, which are excellent for finding quality & at times quirky accommodation to suit all budgets. Zoe Dawes
Top ten Irish writers to read:
1. William Butler Yeats
2. John Millington Synge
3. Brian Friel
4. Seamus Heaney
5. James Joyce
6. Colm Toibin
7. Roddy Doyle
8. Maeve Binchy
9. Sean O’Faolain
10. Sean O’Casey
R. Todd Felton, author, A Journey into Ireland’s Literary Revival
Other tips that Jessie shared before her trip to Ireland and Scotland included:
Favorite Places To Eat in Ireland and Scotland
Since Jessie and her family returned from their trip, she has shared some of their experiences at Wandering Educators. See this entire article in its original form to get links to many more helpful travel tips, by going to Wandering Educators. There you will also find many posts by Jessie describing her trip to Scotland and Ireland–accommodations, food, and travel.
I’m so glad that Jessie had a wonderful trip to these two countries. A Traveler’s Library has talked about Scotland and Ireland several times before (check the search box, or click on Destinations). I loved southwestern Ireland, but have much more of the country to see. And I’ve NEVER been to Scotland. Working with Marie of Scotland Made Easy through her other identity as France Made Easy convinced me that one of these days, I’m going to have to ask her help me plan an Independent trip to Scotland.
The pictures above are the property of Vera Marie Badertscher. Please do not reproduce without permission.
What books (or movies) would you like to add to the list above?
No recommendation for “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt?