Our Man in Hibernia: Ireland, The Irish and Me
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Review
"A big-hearted, curious book . . . Offers something more valuable (than McCarthy's Bar) in the way it explores the aching nostalgia and strangeness of exile." --"Irish Times"
Product Description
If you think you know Ireland, this book will make you think again. Each year on St Patrick's Day the eighty million people around the world claiming Irish ancestry celebrate their spiritual homeland. Millions more don leprechaun hats and swallow pints of Guinness in an annual global high-fiving of all things Irish. Charlie Connelly was one of them. As a Londoner claiming Irish roots he thought he knew what Ireland was all about. Then, when he was least expecting it, he went to live there. Our Man In Hibernia follows Charlie's adventures living among the Irish. In an engaging and frequently hilarious tale - we learn how a tree stump can draw legions of visitors from across the land and why being on a pig's back is a desirable thing - Charlie contrasts the cliched shamrock-strewn image with the reality of life in modern Ireland.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Despite being born and raised in London Charlie Connelly always considered himself Irish. He was aware that many generations ago his forebears were from County Cork so maybe this was the reason why he was attracted to all things Irish even though he realised that the Ireland shown in beer adverts and movies was just an idealised version which probably never existed. Now living in Dublin in his latest book he turns his attention to his adopted country and, as I have come to expect from him, he has produced a book that is funny, informative and extremely entertaining.
Although the basis of the book is about his attempts to trace his Irish roots I thought these were perhaps my least favourite parts of the book. Whilst these sections were eminently readable it was when Connelly writes about other aspects of Irish life that he really excels. Although this is not a travelogue he visits various places that have all got an interesting story to tell. In one very amusing chapter, for example, he writes about his visit to a small village called Moneygall where it had been proved that Barack Obama could trace his lineage back to. In another chapter he visits Knock, the site of a visitation by the members of the holy family many years ago and the site of countless pilgrimages ever since. In a similar vein in pays a visit to a churchyard in which a felled tree stump is thought by some to resemble the Virgin Mary but not, as it turns out, by Charlie Connelly.
Charlie Connelly is an outstanding writer. He writes with such a lightness of touch that whilst for the most part he is an amusing writer he can also be serious and extremely perceptive. I can thoroughly recommend this book.
Although the basis of the book is about his attempts to trace his Irish roots I thought these were perhaps my least favourite parts of the book. Whilst these sections were eminently readable it was when Connelly writes about other aspects of Irish life that he really excels. Although this is not a travelogue he visits various places that have all got an interesting story to tell. In one very amusing chapter, for example, he writes about his visit to a small village called Moneygall where it had been proved that Barack Obama could trace his lineage back to. In another chapter he visits Knock, the site of a visitation by the members of the holy family many years ago and the site of countless pilgrimages ever since. In a similar vein in pays a visit to a churchyard in which a felled tree stump is thought by some to resemble the Virgin Mary but not, as it turns out, by Charlie Connelly.
Charlie Connelly is an outstanding writer. He writes with such a lightness of touch that whilst for the most part he is an amusing writer he can also be serious and extremely perceptive. I can thoroughly recommend this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a lovely, funny and often moving book by the thoughtful, charming and cheerful Mr Connelly. I was delighted by the way in which he has combined his trademark humour with an honest and heartfelt exploration of his own cultural heritage and, Ireland, the country he now calls home.
Connelly has a fine eye for the telling detail, subtle insight, and a deft turn of phrase that makes a place and a people come alive on the page. Ireland is a treasure trove for such a skilled writer, and Connelly does not waste the opportunity to celebrate its charm, wit, and wisdom, investigating the land, its fascinating and sometimes tragic history, and its spirited and wry people. As always, Mr Connelly's friendly style makes him an excellent companion.
`Our Man in Hibernia' explores not just one man's family history but the history of the Irish Everyman, those who left dire circumstances in search of nothing so grand as riches, but enough to eat. I am not ashamed to say I had a lump in the throat reading the author's reactions on learning how his ancestor had to, literally, scrape a living in the most abject conditions. Connelly is excellent on the appalling history and legacy of colonial involvement but also has little time for the subsequent models of Priest-ridden enclave or a fool's paradise for bankers and developers either.
This is a fine introduction to Ireland. A splendid foray around the Emerald Isle with one of our finest travel writers and wits. I heartily recommend it.
Connelly has a fine eye for the telling detail, subtle insight, and a deft turn of phrase that makes a place and a people come alive on the page. Ireland is a treasure trove for such a skilled writer, and Connelly does not waste the opportunity to celebrate its charm, wit, and wisdom, investigating the land, its fascinating and sometimes tragic history, and its spirited and wry people. As always, Mr Connelly's friendly style makes him an excellent companion.
`Our Man in Hibernia' explores not just one man's family history but the history of the Irish Everyman, those who left dire circumstances in search of nothing so grand as riches, but enough to eat. I am not ashamed to say I had a lump in the throat reading the author's reactions on learning how his ancestor had to, literally, scrape a living in the most abject conditions. Connelly is excellent on the appalling history and legacy of colonial involvement but also has little time for the subsequent models of Priest-ridden enclave or a fool's paradise for bankers and developers either.
This is a fine introduction to Ireland. A splendid foray around the Emerald Isle with one of our finest travel writers and wits. I heartily recommend it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Charlie Connelly's latest "Our Man In Hibernia" had me checking to see if I'm actually Irish. Checked, and apparently I am. It's not many books on your own country (exception : F.S.L. Lyons' "Ireland Since The Famine")that have you cross referencing odd facts. Odd facts you thought as an Irishman you knew. (The biggie being that St Patrick's Day was dry until the mid 70s.) By describing with wry phraseology and avoiding the ever-growing self-flagellation of native commentators Mr Connelly holds up an affectionate mirror to a society on the brink of massive change. I'm reminded of Martha Gelhorn writing of her visit to her childhood home of Havana in the mid 80s. The reality is beneath the surface and it takes a skilled writer to pull the right punches.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
On verge of giving up
Having read Charlies previous books, Shipping, Feet, I was looking forward to this one. Alas, Ive got to page 100 and am considering giving up with it (I reckon if you arent... Read more
Published 7 months ago by zigzag
In Search of irish roots
I have really enjoyed Charlies past books and this continues his excellent work with his journey through Irelands past and present while also looking into his own irish roots. Read more
Published 11 months ago by King Eric
Irish roots
Charlie Connelly moves to Dublin to live with his girlfriend, Jude, and becomes obsessed with discovering his Irish 'roots' Apparently one of his great-great-great grandfathers,... Read more
Published 11 months ago by L O'connor
Recommending to all for Autumn firesides.
Clear.
interesting.
focused.
funny.
sorted.
Buy it.
give it away.
buy it again.
interesting.
focused.
funny.
sorted.
Buy it.
give it away.
buy it again.
Published 20 months ago by matt roberts
More of the same ???
Firstly, I certainly wasn't aware that Barack Obama has ever claimed "Irish Roots" ??????? I fail to see how he could, exactly........
To this book, then. Read more
To this book, then. Read more
Published 20 months ago by M. Garvey
Connelly pulls it off again
Not very long ago I picked up a copy of 'Stamping Grounds' by football writer Charlie Connelly. Never have I laughed to loudly before while reading a sports book. Read more
Published 21 months ago by R. Grillo
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