This entry was posted in Audio book, Historical Fiction by Elise. With his various Irish accents he brings the stories alive in a way only possible through the spoken word. (Available also at .)The author, Frank Delaney, does the narrating. Francis James Joseph Raphael Delaney (24 October 1942 21 February 2017) was an Irish novelist, journalist and broadcaster. I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I must say that this is most captivating audiobook I’ve heard to date. In every breath of this novel, the Irish gift of gab is celebrated. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author's.

Patrick, Strongbow and the invasion of the Anglo-Normans, Daniel O’Connell and the repeal of the penal laws, to the 20th century troubles. The Matchmaker of Kenmare is a work of fiction.

The book’s plot structure of Ronan’s search for the storyteller is a convenient container for the true gems of this novel – wonderful, colorful stories covering the breadth of Irish history, from the making of the 5000 year old tomb at New Grange, the legend and fact of St. So writes Charles O’Brien, the unforgettable hero of bestselling author Frank Delaney’s extraordinary novela sweeping epic of obsession, profound devotion, and compelling history involving a turbulent era that would shape modern Ireland. Thus starts a life long passion for Ronan – collecting the folklore of Ireland, and uncovering Ireland’s history. My wooing began in passion, was defined by violence and circumscribed by land all these elements molded my soul. Ronan is so taken with the storyteller and his stories that he starts a quest to find him, a difficult undertaking as the storyteller has no address – the storyteller wanders the countryside, staying with people who will feed him and give shelter in exchange for telling stories. Ireland by Frank Delaney is the story of a young boy, Ronan O’Mara, who in 1951 at the age of 9 encounters an itinerant storyteller, who regales Ronan and others with magical tales, blending myth and fiction, of Ireland’s past.

Ireland a novel by frank delaney