Ireland, a Bicycle, and a Tin Whistle

An enjoyable read that takes the author and reader in a roughly circular tour of Ireland - but most particularly the Trad music sessions. I have an interest in this myself (I play the fiddle) and enjoyed his (fanciful?) descriptions of the sessions the various pubs around the coast. He starts (and e......more

This is a book about an Ireland that's long gone, and Ireland that was emerging from being an LDC, one that was struggling with low-intensity warfare, and one that was apparently obsessed with country music. Read it to understand, sort of, what Ireland was like in the 90s. Don't read it if you're go......more

"Ireland, a Bicycle, a Tin Whistle, and a Swollen Liver" should be the actual title of this book. There is quite a bit of liver abuse going on here. David A. Wilson is a professor of Celtic studies at the University of Toronto. Although born in Ireland he was raised in Canada. This is a book about hi......more

Sheerest delight and wicked wit. I chortled my way through this Irish-Canadian's bicycle circumnavigation of Ireland, from the John Denver-loving motorcycle gangs of Carrick-a-Rede to the miserable weather of the west coast to the 1/4 of the trip merely labeled "alcoholic haze" with no further detai......more

As an Irish musician and having traveled to Ireland twice, I found this book most interesting! I was reminded of the music I play and where it all comes from. Great sense of humor. Found myself laughing out loud several times.......more