Reading Matters’ Top Ten Irish Novels in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

Unfortunately, the only one of Kimbofo’s ten picks that I’ve read is Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, and i never thought of that one as an Irish novel. For that matter, did you know that Jonathan Swift was Irish? Gulliver’s Travels does make my Best 100 Fiction books List, but it may be the only “Irish” novel on the that list.

So, I can’t give you a list of ten, but here are a few books I’d suggest if you’re in the mood for something having to do with The Emerald Isle on this fine St. Patrick’s Day:

1. Patrick: Son of Ireland by Stephen R. Lawhead. I thought I had reviewed this book on the blog , but I can’t really find anything other than a mention. Suffice it to say that I have enjoyed all of Lawhead’s books including this one about St. Patrick. Lawhead is a little more into the Celtic Christianity thing than I am, but I really like his books. And they give me food for thought–about the history of Christianity, the meaning of community, and way of discipleship.

2. Pegeen by Hilda van Stockum. This one I just reviewed and am now reading aloud with a couple of the urchins. It gives me a chance to use my (very poor) irish brogue.

3. How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill. This nonfiction selection also caused me to think about community and the preservation of culture. Good popular history.

Music: I’d suggest Enya or I like this CD, Revival in Belfast.

Or of course, there’s our best beloved Celtic Thunder.

Movies: The Quiet Man with John Wayne or Dancing at Lughnasa with Meryl Streep.

Does anyone else have any other Irish-related reading, listening, or viewing suggestions? And have any of you read this book, The Celtic Way of Evangelism: How Christianity Can Reach the West . . .Again by George G. Hunter III? I found it while browsing Amazon for this post, and it sounds like something I might like to read. Comments?

Last and least, here are a couple of short posts to get you in the Celtic/Irish mood:
St. Patrick’s Breastplate, or the Lorica
A few Irish blessings for St. Patrick’s Day.