Armchair Adventures: Let’s Travel To Ireland

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue

At A Glance: coming of age, literary fiction, early 20-somethings, humor, Cork setting

If you like Sally Rooney (and honestly even if you don’t because I think this does well what some hate about Rooney) this is a must-read! Just a delight of a novel and one of my FAVORITES I read from last year.

It’s set in Cork, Ireland in the 2010’s and centers around Rachel — a college student — and her new best friend and roommate James as they try to navigate coming into adulthood, friendships, romance and more!

It just captures that time of your life so brilliantly — the messiness and FUN of figuring stuff out.

Felt like I was running the streets of Cork alongside them or huddled up in the bookstore — the setting really comes alive and gives you a good sense of place.

Great if you are looking for a book that takes place in Ireland but is more of a slice-of-life novel that puts you in the setting than it being some big historical epic ABOUT Ireland at a certain place in time. If that makes sense?

But I do think it does a good job giving some context — economically and politically — to the times in which things are happening that these 20-somethings would be concerned and affected by: the laws and fight surrounding abortion of the time and an economic recession happening.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

At A Glance: literary fiction, coming of age, complicated relationship, Dublin

I personally really enjoy Sally Rooney though her books seem to be pretty polarizing in the book community. I will also say, out of all the books on this list, it IS set in Ireland but I felt less of the setting than many of the other books I’ve read with an Irish setting on this list.

I still think it’s a great book set in Ireland (Dublin specifically) — highly recommend it. I was glued to the changing dynamics between Connell and Marianne as they navigate their teenage years (where they have a secret relationship of sorts) and their time at Trinity College as the push and pull of their relationship continues.

If you liked the dynamics between Dexter and Emma in One Day, you might enjoy this one. It is pretty similar in that regard.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

At A Glance: novella, Christmas setting, Magdalen laundries, morality, 1985 small town Ireland, courage

I feel like this book was everywhere last year and I picked it up around the holidays 1) because it was super short and 2) it was set during Christmas-time. It is set in 1985 — so you could technically label it historical fiction — but it feels more literary fiction than genre historical.

It’s centers around a man named Bill Furlong and the women of Ireland’s Magdalen laundries and what he does when he discovers, when he makes a delivery there around Christmas, when he finds out a secret there. (Honestly it’s about so much more but I need you to just discover it for yourself).

Bill Furlong — the man that you are! This was short but really makes a big impact and is filled with quiet courage.

Coming in at 128 pages, it is a perfect short book club book especially during the holidays!

Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman

At A Glance: humorous family drama, multi-generational, dysfunctional family, Dublin

The Gogarty family — what a hot mess but truly a memorable cast of characters (even when I really didn’t like them).

It centers around three generations of this rowdy Irish family in the midst of some major drama and dysfunction (and it isn’t just the fact that the octogenarian granny has some sticky fingers).

It’s one of those books to pick up if you like dysfunctional family dramas but you want something more on the side of light and funny than DARK and depressing (and that’s not always easy to find).

The Darkling Bride by Laura Andersen

At A Glance: past & present timelines, Irish Castle setting, Gothic mystery, murder

Back when this came out I thought it would be another Tudor era book from Laura Andersen (if you haven’t read anything from her and you like that time period I recommend!) but alas — she totally broke from that and I honestly loved it!

It’s hard to categorize this book — it has both historical and contemporary threads, gothic vibes, murder mystery and romance.

It could be considered historical but I’m putting it in the general fiction section because I think readers who don’t gravitate towards straight up historical fiction would love how this weaves the past and the contemporary story line.

When it’s not in the present day it shifts from the 1880s and the 1990s in Ireland. It all centers around a mystery surrounding a now-dilapidated 700 year old Irish Castle.

There’s been some suspicious deaths at the castle in the past and a woman, cataloging the historic library before the castle is sold, gets sucked into the secrets of the castle when she finds clues that might lead to solving the murders.

As you can imagine, the atmosphere is just fantastic and transports you. If you can’t find your way to an Irish Castle to wander around right at the moment, this book will certainly take you there.

What The Wind Knows by Amy Harmon

At A Glance: historical romance, Ireland in 1921, fight for Ireland’s independence

I was just talking about how much I love Amy Harmon’s book in my post covering new historical fiction out this year (she has a new one!) and now I just really want to re-read this incredible book.

If you really want a book that will transport you to Ireland, this is definitely one to pick. It also boasts a great romance and really puts you in the midst of Ireland’s fight for independence.

I don’t want to say too much because I think the less detail the better.

It’s about a woman whose beloved grandfather dies so she goes to spread his ashes in Ireland in his homeland that he shared so much about with her.

But her trip to Ireland goes awry when she’s pulled into the past and finds herself in 1920’s Ireland — a time of political and civil unrest for Ireland — but she finds her own reasons for assuming the identity of a woman from that time period.

Great for fans of Outlander and don’t worry if you don’t “do” time travel — that element is very light and just the vehicle to the story that plays out.

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

At A Glance: historical fiction, 1918 setting, Dublin, Spanish Flu Pandemic

I loved Room by Emma Donoghue but when this came out in 2020 I was NOT going to read about a pandemic while we were living through one. So I put this one off a bit — and I think it was the right decision for me at the time — but I’m so glad I finally came back to it.

It’s about a nurse who works in the maternity ward of an understaffed hospital where she must keep herself and these women quarantined in her ward safe as a terrible flu sweeps through Ireland.

It’s intense and really drops you into the front lines of it — reads very thriller-like at times and very claustrophobic at times. But there’s heart and resilience and lightness in it too.

I feel like had this book been out a year before we endured the events of 2020 I would have read it so differently. Experiencing history similar to the one you are reading about gives such a different perspective on it.

HIGHLY recommend this one.

P.S. Her book The Wonder is also set in Ireland.

The Girl From Ballymor by Kathleen McGurl

At A Glance: Irish Potato Famine (with a present setting), County Cork, family mystery, motherhood

A woman is researching her family history and finds herself intrigued by the mother of one of her ancestors, who he painted often, and who disappeared without a trace. She throws herself into – while trying to run away from some of her own life stuff – the search for answers to this mystery.

In the past, we meet the young widowed woman and mother during the famine and learn the sacrifices she made in the midst of great suffering and what did happen to her all those years ago.

It really drops you into the plight of that time if you are looking for a book that centers around that era.

Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen

At A Glance: literary fiction, 1990’s, Northern Ireland, The Troubles, coming of age

I saw someone say to read this if you loved Derry Girls (specifically Michelle) and, having recently finished the final season of that show and loving Michelle, I had to pick it up.

It hit some of what I hoped to get out of a book compared to Derry Girls though it was generally darker than Derry Girls. Not as light-hearted and the humor was different for me in some ways.

I appreciated another look for young people trying to live life during The Troubles. It probably gave me even more of insight truly of the time than the show but I can’t say I fell in love with the characters AS MUCH if I’m being honest though I was really drawn to their stories.

A really great story about a group of girls coming of age and planning their futures amidst the turbulence in Northern Ireland at the time. They get a job together at a factory to save up money and spend time together while also waiting for the results of the exams that will determine this future path.

The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor

At A Glance: literary fiction, 1920’s and beyond, grief, family saga

I read this as part of an online book club I was part of way back in the day and I’m so glad I picked it up because, at the time, it wasn’t something I probably would have picked up on my own.

If you love following a character’s life throughout a long period of time in their life — from childhood to elder years– you have to read this sweeping story.

The story starts in 1921 with Lucy’s parents deciding that they are going to leave Ireland due to fear of harm to come and nine year old Lucy, confused and not wanting to leave her home, makes a decision in hopes to convince them to change their mind.

The decision she makes snowballs and leads to her parents believing she is dead — and her mother so heartbroken she’ll never want to return to Ireland once they leave — and Lucy growing up without them but waiting for them to return.

It’s a slow-moving story but you can feel the melancholy and the haunted existence of these characters thanks to this misunderstanding.

The Girl in the Castle by Santa Montefiore
(Also known as The Irish Girl now)

At A Glance: historical family saga, series, early 1900s in Ireland, West Cork, romance

This one was a random library pick off the shelf and it surpassed what I thought I might get out of it. I was instantly swept away to an Irish castle in the countryside with this cast of characters: especially Kitty, Birdie and Jack. (And Celia but you can tell book 2 is set up to see her more).

It is set during the fight for Irish independence and centers around these characters through decades — their complicated relationships, their response to the political fight and secrets and lies that affect them all.

I saw someone say it was a good one for fans of Downton Abbey and, having finally binge watched that series, I can DEFINITELY see the comp for sure.

I still need to read the other two books — I’m so scattered with series, y’all.

Off The Map by Trish Doller

At A Glance: road trip, adventures, opposites attract

I’ve been a fan of Trish Doller since her YA debut but I am seriously obsessed with her adult books!

They are the perfect blend of romance and “women’s fiction” and I just can’t say enough great stuff about the Beck Sisters series.

They can all be read as standalone for sure but this one centers around Eamon (who we meet in Float Plan) and Carla (Anna’s best friend in Float Plan) and it takes place at Anna and Keane’s wedding in Ireland.

Eamon, the best man and brother of the groom, is tasked with picking up Carla, the Maid of Honor and bride’s bff, from the airport. Chemistry is instant between reliable and family-centered Eamon and free-spirited Carla and a simple road trip across Ireland because the adventure of a life time.

It was a great romance and road trip adventure but I loved this idea of ~home~ that was explored and what it meant for both of them and what it grew to mean. So much self-discovery and growth in this one (like in the others).

My Life In Shambles by Karina Halle

At A Glance: spicy romance, fake relationship, small Irish village setting, more angsty/emotional romance

I was introduced to Karina Halle’s books because a friend, back in the day, used to edit her books. I devoured Love, In English and I mostly have enjoyed everything since them (some more than others).

This one is definitely one that worked for me: Ireland setting + fake dating + Irish rugby player male lead + hot mess female lead + memorable side characters. And, whew, it was sexy (and emotional at times).

It’s about a woman whose life is quite literally falling apart so she seizes the day and goes to Dublin to ring in the New Year with her sisters.

She meets a man at a bar — a famous rugby player going through his own stuff — and they have a memorable night together.

When he asks her an unusual favor, she says yes in the spirit of saying yes to new adventures: YES she will accompany him back home to his small village and pretend to be his fiance.

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver

At A Glance: remote Irish island, forced proximity, enemies to lovers

This one was fun but also emotional at times! Another win from this author for me.

It’s about two people — both heading to this remote Irish island to get away from their own life for different reasons — who find out that the cottage they booked has actually been double-booked in a mishap and they are forced to stay there together until the next weekly ferry arrives.

Neither are happy about this development — and find themselves at odds constantly as they try to survive staying in this cottage together — until the days go by and they find that each other’s company isn’t so bad at all.

The relationship progression and the self-discovery aspects were so good but I also really loved the setting and the secondary characters we meet in this little town.

In the Woods by Tana French

At A Glance: police procedural, literary mystery, series, Dublin setting

I just talked about this one recently when I shared some of my favorite thrillers/mysteries more on the literary side. I love this series so much — dive into the streets of Dublin and its suburbs with the Dublin Murder Squad detectives.

It’s a 6 book series so it’s fun to get lost into the mysteries/cases but also into the fantastic writing and really layered characters.

In the Woods is the first book in the series and a recent case has an eerie similarity to a case from the 1980’s that affected one of the detectives.

I also highly recommend The Searcher by Tana French which is also set in Ireland! The second book of this mystery series is coming out in 2024!

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

At A Glance: “locked room” murder mystery, wedding, isolated island setting

This is always one I recommend on audiobook: it’s a full cast audiobook and it’s really well done. And, honestly, it’s full of fantastic Irish accents to really set the mood if you are looking for a book that takes place in Ireland.

This one is set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland and it’s the weekend of a big lavish wedding — a weekend that turns dark when a dead body is discovered. It was very atmospheric of a setting — I could picture the bogs, the steep cliffs with the wind howling and the crumbling relics of the island.

The Mountains Wild by Sarah Steward Taylor

At A Glance: mystery, series, missing person, character-driven, Glenmalure setting

Pretty sure it was my friend Lindsey’s review of this book that put it on my radar and she didn’t let me down. I’ve only read the first book of the series but it was a great start and I can’t wait to read more. So far it is four books.

It’s about an American detective whose cousin Erin disappeared in Ireland in the 90’s and now, 23 years later, she heads back to Ireland due to a new development in the case surrounding another woman’s disappearance and what was found at the crime scene.

It switches back and forth between time and place (there’s also parts set in Long Island in addition to Ireland) but it’s super atmospheric and I was PULLED into the mystery and it didn’t let up at all. It is more on the character-driven side of mystery thrillers but I thought it was compelling in both plot and characters.

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

At A Glance: YA sapphic rom-com, meet cute turns summer fling, ode to rom-coms

I recommended this recently on my list of best YA summer romance books and I love a chance to recommend this one again! It’s so fantastic.

It’s about two teen girls whose meet cute turns into a summer fling — a summer fling with a DEFINITE end when Fall arrives. But until that date the summer fling ends, they decide to have a summer full of rom-com worthy dates.

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

At A Glance: romance, sibling story, road trip

Love & Gelato took us to Italy and this book, centered Lina’s best friend Addie, takes us to Ireland. These books are just the cutest YA romances (and armchair travels!) and this can be read as a standalone without having read Lina’s story (though you do get cameos from Lina).

Addie is more than happy to put an ocean between her life at home and head with her family to Ireland for her aunt’s wedding. After that, she and her brother are planning to head to Italy to visit her bff Lina.

But things go awry and she finds herself on a road trip throughout Ireland with her brother Ian (who she’s been fighting with like crazy) and his cute Irish friend Rowan.

It’s a sweet romance and a fun road trip but I really enjoyed the story between Addie and her brother, too! If I’m being honest the setting wasn’t as vivid to me as Love & Gelato but I really enjoyed my romp through Ireland.

Hani and Ishu’s Guide To Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

At A Glance: YA romance, fake dating, toxic friendship, racism, South Asian leads, bisexuality

I believe most of Abida Jaigirdar’s books are set in Ireland (this is the first I’ve read but I have The Henna Wars and The Dos and Donuts of Love to my TBR) and not set in Ireland in a “girl goes on vacation in Ireland” way. Her characters actually live there.

This one was so cute — it’s about two bisexual teens (total opposites of one another) who both have their own reasons for getting in a fake relationship together.

While being a super cute romance it also delves into biphobia and some of the things these two Bengali teens experience being a minority in a very White society/school.

I think their experiences of being a minority in Ireland was one of the things that really makes this an interesting read for people looking at books with an Irish setting. I always love a good atmosphere and FEEL for being there but I also really appreciate understanding culture/social issues of a setting.

This one did a good job at exploring some of the issues of being a queer minority teen while also still also being a fun and light romance. Perfect balance for me!

Sisters Of Belfast by Melanie Maure
Out Now

At A Glance: WW2 (and post WW2), twin sisters, orphanage

One of my most anticipated new historical fiction novels for 2024! It just came out in February and it’s set in Ireland during and after WW2.

It centers around two twin sisters who have been orphaned after a bombing. At the orphanage they deal with mistreatment and other things, things the other doesn’t even know about, and they become separated from one another for decades — until much later when they are reunited and learn the secrets of the path and what the other endured while they were apart.

The Lost Letters of Aisling by Cynthia Ellingsen
Out April 1, 2024

At A Glance: historical fiction, family secrets, dual timelines (Dublin 1945; present)

It’s about a woman whose grandmother falls ill and makes a request to be taken back to her home of Ireland that she left after WW2 to go to America. The journey uncovers secrets, from decades old letters, from her grandmother’s life — which we learn about in the chapters devoted to her grandmother as a young woman.

The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes
Out April 16, 2024

At A Glance: contemporary literary fiction, family drama, sisters, Irish countryside setting

The story of four sisters — who became orphaned at a young age and currently not as close as they used to be — who have reconnected and are coming back together in Ireland to when one of them has disappeared in the Irish countryside.

The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing
Out June 4, 2024

At A Glance: steamy rom-com , Irishmore setting, hate-at-first-sight,

This one looks so fun!!

It’s about a grieving American woman who takes a summer job on a whim and immediately runs into a heartbroken (and grumpy) Irish chef who has returned home to his small town from Dublin. The clash between the two begins immediately and their rivalry and disdain for one another heats up every time their path crosses over the summer — until the rivalry isn’t the only thing heating up between them.

The Coast Road by Alan Murrin
Out June 2024

At A Glance: 1994 Ireland, marriage & divorce, small town setting

This one looks so fascinating to me — it’s set during the fight to legalize divorce in Ireland which didn’t happen until 1997?? A fact that kind of shocks me thinking about the fact that my parents had divorced here in the States around that time when I was a kid so it’s wild to think about that they were fighting for the right divorce around that time in Ireland.

The main plot follows two women in a small seaside Irish town in Donegal, trapped in very different circumstances marriage-wise, who find a friendship with one another while they both try to find their freedom. It explores their own push for freedom amidst the larger backdrop of the divorce referendum country-wide.