Irish Non-Fiction Books of the Year (So Far!)

by Anonymous

€13.99

Discover Ireland's must-do adventures that represent all that's great about the island. These 100 activities include relaxing walks in beautiful places, wild swims in Ireland's rivers, lakes and seas, and unforgettable pit-stops for the best of Irish -produced food and drink.   Explore the hidden gems of the Emerald Isle in this inspirational guide. Survey the coastline and beaches from the Cliffs of Moher to the Giants Causeway, see historic sites including Newgrange and Dublin Castle, gain the gift of the gab by kissing The Blarney Stone or take a dip in one of Co. Cavan's 365 lakes. From music festivals to bog snorkelling, The Great Irish Bucket List is a must-have guide to Ireland's cultural and natural beauty, ideal for any prospective explorers. For locals and visitors alike, this book offers the perfect way to explore Ireland.

by Warren Farrell

€18.99

'Remember now as you go by, as you are now so once was I, and as I am now so you shall be, so prepare for death and follow me.' Every grave has a story to tell. Glasnevin Cemetery is the final resting place of over one million souls, with some of the most famous names in Irish history resting side by side with those buried in anonymity. The 'faithful departed', as James Joyce referred to the cemetery's population, are reanimated in this book through vivid retellings of their stories. From unmarked plots to striking monuments, Glasnevin Cemetery is a microcosm of Irish society over the last two centuries. Warren Farrell, having immersed himself in the cemetery's history as a tour guide for the past seven years, set out to celebrate the lesser known figures and their contributions to the Irish state. So Once Was I has a story for everyone, representing all threads of Irish society's rich tapestry. Embark on an intruiging tour through our national necropolis in these pages, and become acquainted with the famous and forgotten that once walked the streets of Dublin.

by John Connell

€12.99

For John Connell, the lambing season on his County Longford farm begins in the autumn. In the sheep shed, he surveys the dozen females in his care and contemplates the work ahead as the season slowly turns to winter, then spring. The twelve sheep have come into his life at just the right moment. After years of hard work, John felt a deep tiredness creeping up on him, a sadness that he couldn't shrug off. Having always sought spiritual guidance, he comes to realise that, in addition to the soothing words of literature and philosophy, perhaps the way ahead involves this simple flock of sheep. In the hard work of livestock rearing, in the long nights in the shed helping the sheep to lamb, he can reflect on what life truly means. Like the flock that he shepherds, this book is both simple and profound, a meditation on the rituals of farming life and a primer on the lessons that nature can teach us. As spring returns and the sheep and their lambs are released into the fields, skipping with joy, John recalls the words of Henry David Thoreau, reminding us to 'live in each season as it passes.'

by John Sweetman

€15.99

A PAGE-TURNING DETECTIVE MEMOIR WHICH REVEALS THE FORENSIC METHODSTHAT HELPED SOLVE PROMINENT IRISH CRIMES. When a violent incident led young misfit garda John Sweetman into the Garda Technical Bureau with incriminating evidence, he found his true calling. He spent the next 25 years as a detective garda working on the frontline of crime scene investigations - as both a fingerprint expert and, in later years, a forensic handwriting and document expert. His tenacity and natural eye for detail led him to becoming involved in many criminal investigations and high-profile cases. From the brutal murder of Marie Dillon in Finglas in 1998 to the gangland killing of Raymond Salinger in 2003, John was involved in the search for forensic evidence at these and other crime scenes. He later employed his handwriting expertise in examining fraudulence, threatening letters and counterfeit documents, as well as the investigations into the murders of Jasmine McGonagle and student Jastine Valdez and the horrific Hawe familicide in Cavan in 2016. Identity is both a fascinating insight into specialist forensic fields, which peeks behind the curtain of how crimes are solved, and a bravely told story of a nonconformist detective in a remarkable career. 'I am determined this case is not going to be forgotten. This man is dangerous and has to be found.' FROM THE PROLOGUE

by Catherine Carton

€22.99

In the bestselling Dainty Dress Diaries, Catherine Carton offered up more than fifty craft and DIY projects designed to ignite our creative sparks. In her eagerly awaited follow-up, she brings us from room to room, showing how we can all bring love and personality to our homes. Including something for every space, budget and skill level, Catherine encourages us to have fun, make mistakes, and put our own stamp on each project. Save space with a mini kitchen pantry. Learn how to wallpaper like a pro! Create a work-from-home nook to be proud of. Transform your child's room into a magical place to play and rest. And in the garden, make space for wildlife, for fun with friends as well as peaceful times surrounded by nature.

by Arthur Mathews

€17.99

In July 1927, at just thirty-five years old, Kevin O'Higgins was assassinated on his way to mass in Booterstown. A memorial plaque in his honour unveiled at the site in 2012 was removed after just two weeks due to persistent vandalism. In this compelling biography, Arthur Mathews examines the enduring hatred of O'Higgins through the lens of his close friends and many enemies. Appointed Minister for Home Affairs in 1922, O'Higgins resorted to draconian measures to fight the lawlessness that swelled in the wake of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. In an act that would seal his fate, he signed off on the execution of seventy seven anti-Treaty prisoners, including Rory O'Connor, who had been best man at his wedding the year before. As the hostility between former comrades intensified, O'Higgins was now a prime target for the incensed 'irregulars'. Holed up in government buildings in the years preceding his assassination, he described himself as being 'walled in by hate'. The complex legacy of Kevin O'Higgins encapsulates the bitter divisions of the Irish Civil War, and he remains one of the most compelling characters to emerge from the conflict.

by Frank O'Mara

€17.99

'Victory is a life well lived or a day enjoyed.' Limerick man Frank O'Mara had the athletics career most only dream of, competing for Ireland in three Olympic Games and breaking Irish and world records. After his retirement from running, he settled in the US with his family and made his way to the top of the telecoms industry.    Then at age forty-eight, his life changed forever when he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease. The progression was rapid, causing severe muscle cramps, tremors, and eventually the inability to walk and at times even speak. In this inspiring memoir, Frank recounts his battle with Parkinson's. At first in denial, he eventually found the strength that made him successful as an athlete and in business - using determination, and humour to weather the worst phases of the disease. He learned to face each hurdle as he came to it: to bend, but not break. One man's life-affirming story of facing adversity with grace and courage.

by John Crotty

€18.99

A monastic outpost in the Celtic Sea, a fortress built to defend an Empire, a prison established to intern a nation; Spike Island's remarkable 1300-year history far exceeds its modest acreage. No other place better encapsulates the Irish story. Spike Island tells of religious fervour, frequent rebellion, social endeavour, and a nation's inextinguishable yearning for freedom. After 206 years off-limits to the public, its secrets can finally be divulged. The island has garnered international attention many times, such as the famine-era prison overcrowding and inhumane conditions, the triumphant 1938 handover of the island from Britain to Ireland, and the violent prison riot in 1985. Spike Island echoes with the voices of prisoners past, having housed fierce rebels like John Mitchel, who would inspire the 1916 generation, and 1200 Republicans during the War of Independence. More recent arrivals include the notorious crime boss The General, who terrorised 1980s' Ireland. Told in an entertaining and accessible chronological style featuring accounts from island dwellers and the interned alike, this book is sure to captivate anyone interested in Irish history.

by Paul Merriman

€18.56

Financial well-being is the peace of mind and security we get from being in control of our money' PAUL MERRIMAN In Money Made Easy, Paul Merriman, founder of financial advisory service askpaul, presents practical advice that will transform your relationship with money. With easy-to-follow insights and tips on: how to change your mindset when it comes to your finances prioritising your money goals budgeting, reducing debt and saving how to protect, grow and replace your income investing your money and key steps to take before you do how to identify the best pension plan for you navigating the Irish mortgage sector, government schemes and tax Money Made Easy unravels the complexities of personal finance, enabling you to enjoy your life now while also taking care of your financial future. Discover true financial well-being - today.

by Paddy Barrett

€15.99

Know and care for your body with this information-packed guide to optimising heart health for longevity and wellbeing Become body literate with Heart: An Owner's Guide, the next book in The Body Literacy Library, an enlightening series that will democratise health for a new generation of readers. Heart: An Owner's Guide is an informative, practical, and engaging introduction to all aspects of heart health with the goal of living well and longer. Find out what is the key to a long, healthy life, and what is your own personal cardiac risk. Author Dr Paddy Barrett is an engaging and media-friendly Consultant Cardiologist who specialises in preventative health care. He translates medical jargon into simple, clear prose, answering frequently asked patient queries, such as Should I take aspirin? Are heart attacks hereditary? Is red wine healthy? Why do I have erectile dysfunction? and much more. From what you should eat (or not) and exercising smarter to why stress is as dangerous as smoking, this hard-working book applies science to the everyday, with simple illustrations, checklists, FAQs, and myth busters, all supported by the latest medical research. Heart: An Owner's Guide won't just help you to better understand your body, it might even save your life.

by Peter Murtagh

€19.99

Aged 69, Peter Murtagh decided it was time to embark on ‘the great retirement project’ – riding a motorbike from Tierra del Fuego, at the very southern tip of South America, to the most northerly point in Alaska, alone and without the pressure of any deadline: just a tent, a bike and a sleeping bag. En route, Peter explored magical, wonderful and extraordinarily out-of-the-way parts of our bruised world, met incredible people from all walks of life and observed a great swathe of the planet. Travelling alone on the 45,000 km journey allowed him a rare opportunity to disconnect from hectic daily life and to embrace the solitude, challenge and peace-of-mind of the road less travelled. From Tip to Top is a story of optimism and hope, an adventure of a lifetime and a ground-level portrait of the Americas as we rarely see them.

by Laura De Barra

€17.99

Laura de Barra, queen of the home hack, is here to help you shop for, care for and repair your clothes. New or vintage, online or high street - Laura has the tips that will ensure you buy right to begin with and maintain well for longevity.   Delving into delights such as fabric composition and manufacturing techniques, as well as how to assess if garments are right for your wants and needs this practical book will teach you all you need to ensure your shopping, storage and laundry habits are enhancing and not hampering the life of your clothing.   In a world of fast fashion and dwindling quality, this book will help you contribute positively to an industry impacted by overconsumption.

by Mark Mehigan

€17.99

Much of Mark Mehigan’s twenties read like a ‘how-to’ manual: How to get very drunk without raising people’s suspicions you might be an alcoholic. Although outwardly successful, nearing 30 he was hurtling towards a nervous breakdown and using payday loans to fund a burgeoning cocaine habit. Eventually Mark became sick and tired of being sick and tired. His only choice was to finally relinquish control and ask for help. In doing so he discovered contentment and freedom. This new way of life embraced letting stuff go. Giving things up. It meant trying to find out how to live without relying on destructive behavioural patterns to cope with life. Mark’s story is one of hope: everything genuinely can get better. Perhaps Mark’s story can be the spark that ignites that journey for you, or at the very least a guidebook on how not to mess up your life. Either way, it’s definitely not a self-help book.