First published 2000
Meghan O'Rourke weaves fictional stories around the peculiar corners of Irish culture and history. Her characters encounter the strange truths that make Ireland unique, from ancient customs that persist in modern Dublin to the eccentric figures who shaped the country's identity. Each story reveals how Ireland's past lives on in unexpected ways, whether through a shopkeeper who still follows medieval trade rituals or a farmer who discovers his land holds secrets from the Celtic era. O'Rourke transforms historical oddities into human moments, showing how the island's remarkable heritage continues to surprise both locals and visitors. The collection captures the warmth and wit that emerges when ordinary people brush against Ireland's extraordinary legacy.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, irish-literature, historical-fiction, 21st-century, cultural
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, magical-realism
Setting: Dublin, Ireland
Period: Celtic Era, Medieval, Modern
64 pages · Hardcover · Gramercy