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Blood Knots: Of Fathers, Friendship and Fishing
by Luke JenningsSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2010 BBC SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE 2010 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF YEARAs a child in the 1960s, Luke Jennings was fascinated by the rivers and lakes around his Sussex home. Beneath their surfaces, it seemed to him, waited alien and mysterious worlds. With library books as his guide, he applied himself to the task of learning to fish. His progress was slow, and for years he caught nothing. But then a series of teachers presented themselves, including an inspirational young intelligence officer, from whom he learnt stealth, deception and the art of the dry fly. So began an enlightening but often dark-shadowed journey of discovery. It would lead to bright streams and wild country, but would end with his mentor's capture, torture and execution by the IRA. Blood Knots is about angling, about great fish caught and lost, but it is also about friendship, honour and coming of age. As an adult Jennings has sought out lost and secretive waterways, probing waters 'as deep as England' at dead of night in search of giant pike. The quest, as always, is for more than the living quarry. For only by searching far beneath the surface, Jennings suggests in this most moving and thought-provoking of memoirs, can you connect with your own deep history.
When Bobby Met Christy: The Story Of Bobby Beasley And A Wayward Horse
by Declan ColleyBobby Beasley was a champion jockey. By 26, he had won a Cheltenham Gold Cup, a Champion Hurdle and a Grand National. But when he was 24, Bobby took his first drink and soon succumbed to alcoholism. He turned a corner after his friend, Nicky Rackard, urged him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous. Five years later, aged 38, Beasley rode Captain Christy to an amazing victory at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In the history of unlikely comebacks, that of Irish jockey Bobby Beasley is the most heartwarming of them all.
The GAA and Revolution in Ireland 1913–1923
by Gearóid Ó TuathaighThe decade between the labour conflict (the ‘Lockout’) of 1913 and the end of the Civil War in 1923 was one of seismic upheaval. How the GAA – a major sporting and national body – both influenced and was influenced by this upheaval is a rich and multifaceted story. Leading writers in the field of modern Irish history and the history of sport explore the impact on ‘ordinary’ life of major events. They examine the effect of the First World War, the 1916 Rising and its aftermath, the emergence of nationalist Sinn Féin and its triumph over the Irish Parliamentary Party, as well as the War of Independence (1919–21) and the bitter Civil War (1922–23). This is an original and engrossing perspective through the lens of a sporting organisation. Contributors: Eoghan Corry, Mike Cronin, Paul Darby, Páraic Duffy, Diarmaid Ferriter, Dónal McAnallen, James McConnel, Richard McElligott, Cormac Moore, Seán Moran, Ross O’Carroll, Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Mark Reynolds, Paul Rouse
The Story of Thomond Park: Where Miracles Happen
by Charlie Mulqueen Brendan O'Dowd‘What’s so special about Thomond Park? The crowd. Simply the crowd. The atmosphere is electric.’ Donal Spring, one of Munster rugby’s greatest. Since the first game played there in 1934, Thomond Park has become one of the world’s iconic rugby venues. It is a magnificent stadium, famous for many great occasions, notably Munster’s 1978 victory over the All Blacks and the ‘Miracle Match’ against Gloucester in 2003. It also has a worldwide reputation for tradition, wit and an outstanding sense of fair play. Here the history of Thomond Park is traced in a colourful and entertaining style, featuring some rare photos of Munster favourite Paul O’Connell, and highlighting great games played and great characters who have graced the arena.
The Beara & Sheep's Head Peninsulas: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Adrian HendroffThe Beara and Sheep’s Head Peninsulas, in the southwest of Ireland, are both unspoilt and hold some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery. These routes range from short hikes to longer treks, coastal and inland, something to suit everyone’s interest. Stroll the woodland and mountain trails of Gougane Barra or take on Hungry Hill for a more challenging hillwalk, with lots more in between. There is no better way to explore this landscape than on foot. * For a complete list of walking guides available from The Collins Press, see www.collinspress.ie
The Dingle Peninsula: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Adrian HendroffThe spectacular Dingle Peninsula in southwest Ireland extends westward into the Atlantic from Tralee to Slea Head. Voted among the Top 100 destinations in the world by TripAdvisor and referred to as ‘the most beautiful place on earth’ by National Geographic, its landscape includes soaring mountaintops, gentle hillsides, secluded lakes and valleys, ancient ruins, dramatic sea cliffs and long, sandy beaches. This guide takes you off the beaten track to explore this stunning landscape in a variety of walking routes ranging from short hikes to full-day treks. From the wild extremities of the Great Blasket Island to the majestic heights of Mount Brandon and the comfort of the Dingle Way, there’s something for all tastes. Each route is prefaced with a reference summary and illustrated with maps and photographs. Route descriptions include GPS coordinates, navigation guidance, access notes and short variations. There is also material on the fauna, flora, folklore, history, geology and place names of each area. * For a complete list of walking guides available from The Collins Press, see www.collinspress.ie
Ireland's Best Walks: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Helen FairbairnIn a country richly endowed with wild mountain ranges, secluded valleys and untamed coastlines, the best natural landscapes can only be explored on foot. Here are over sixty of the greatest one-day walking routes in Ireland, varying from short strolls to full-day treks. Every part of the Republic and Northern Ireland is featured. From rugged peaks and chiselled ridge lines to towering sea cliffs and sheltered loughs, these routes take you past all the country’s finest scenery. Many of the routes are hill-walks, with clear descriptions of the country’s classic mountain ascents. Even seasoned hillwalkers will find challenging outings. Each walk is illustrated with sketch maps and colour photos and is prefaced with a quick-reference summary and access notes. Route descriptions include clear navigational guidance to keep you on the right track.
Dublin & Wicklow: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Helen Fairbairnl show you the way! • Also by this author: 'Northern Ireland: A Walking Guide'. For a complete list of walking guides available from The Collins Press, see www.collinspress.ie
Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Adrian HendroffThe northwest of Ireland provides a diversity of walks, from the wild, untamed landscape of Donegal to the gentler hills and green valleys of Sligo and Leitrim. This guidebook describes 27 walks of various grades, accompanied by quality photographs and specially drawn maps. Walk descriptions also include material on the rich natural history, folklore, geology and place names of the area. Since most routes are not signposted or waymarked, an up-to-date guidebook is essential. This will inspire you to get your walking boots on and start exploring this majestic landscape. • Also by this author: 'The Dingle Peninsula: A Walking Guide' and 'The Beara & Sheep's Head Peninsulas: A Walking Guide'. For a complete list of walking guides available from The Collins Press, see www.collinspress.ie
East of Ireland Walks: On River And Canal (A Walking Guide)
by Lenny AntonelliRiver and canal walks can have special appeal, the scenery always changing due to flowing water, weirs, locks and the changing countryside. Ireland's rivers and canals are rich in wildlife, history and folklore, and many can be explored on mostly flat, little-used trails. These hidden corridors of wildness through rural and urban Ireland reveal remnants of a time when trade, transport and industry in Ireland revolved around water rather than roads. Lenny Antonelli introduces some of the best river and canal trails in the east and east midlands, from short strolls to a five-day trek along the Barrow. These walks encompass iconic Irish rivers such as the Liffey, the Boyne and the Nore; and waterways such as the Grand and Royal Canals. There are lesser-known trails here too, from ravines in the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the young rivers of Wicklow’s deep wooded valleys. For those new to walking, these trails form easy introductions. For experienced walkers, they provide new and less-trodden paths through places of unexpected beauty. • Also available: 'Dublin & Wicklow: A Walking Guide' by Helen Fairbairn
Killarney to Valentia Island: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Adrian HendroffThe Iveragh Peninsula, the largest in southwest Ireland, stretches from Killarney to Bolus Head and attracts thousands of visitors annually. The Ring of Kerry coastal road winds along its fringes and sandstone peaks soar high above. It is a landscape of raw and stunning beauty from the lakes that fill the corries to the spectacular cliff scenery along its coast. There is no better way to explore this landscape than on foot. This book helps you do just that with routes ranging from a few hours to full-day walks. Explore Valentia Island, the majestic MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and sections of The Kerry Way. Go off the beaten track and explore the coast, hills and woodlands from Killarney to Cahersiveen to Kenmare. Each route is prefaced with a reference summary and illustrated with maps and photographs. Route descriptions include GPS coordinates, navigation guidance, access notes and short variations. There is also material on the fauna, flora, folklore, history, geology and place names of each area.
Northern Ireland: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Helen FairbairnThis revised guide presents top-class walking routes in Northern Ireland. From rugged mountain peaks to spectacular coastal scenery, from challenging hill walks to shorter woodland and waterside excursions, there is something for everyone. Every part of the region is covered, from the mountains of Mourne to the Giant’s Causeway, from Fermanagh’s ‘lake district’ to the rolling Sperrins. Routes vary from two-hour strolls to eight-hour upland challenges. Much thought has gone into making this guide easy to use: each route, prefaced with a quick-reference summary, is illustrated with a clear sketch map; descriptions include detailed access information while points of interest are highlighted – flora and fauna, history, archaeology and folklore. A compact region with huge scenic variety, Northern Ireland is ideal for walking yet is often overlooked. This authoritative guide is changing that, using the author’s enthusiasm and knowledge.
The Kerry Way: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Donal NolanThe Kerry Way is Ireland’s longest waymarked trail and one of the most popular. Looping around the Iveragh Peninsula, it follows narrow country roads, forest paths, abandoned coach roads and mass paths, national park land and farmland. This clear and lively guide gives the prospective wayfarer enough information to plan and enjoy every step. It offers a detailed description of the trail plus lively asides on geology, history, folklore, settlement, flora and fauna. Above all, this guide will keep the reader from getting lost. The trail description is broken down into sections from the first step out of Killarney, through the high passes in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, into the splendour of the Ring of Kerry, and back to Killarney. This guidebook is a light, lively guide to this 200km walk, with enough guidance, cultural background and natural history to ensure the user stays on trackto arrive at their car, hostel or B&B. Also available: 'Killarney to Valentia Island – The Iveragh Peninsula: A Walking Guide' and 'The Dingle Peninsula: A Walking Guide'
Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Helen FairbairnThe Wild Atlantic Way follows the magnificent west coast of Ireland, passing golden beaches, thrusting headlands and soaring sea cliffs. Renowned walking-guide author Helen Fairbairn explores the best walking routes of the region, recommending trips to uninhabited islands, coastal mountains and much more. Routes vary from two to six hours, and are illustrated with colour photos and detailed maps. Whatever your level of expertise, this comprehensive guide is all you need to discover the real wonders of the Wild Atlantic Way. Praise for this author: ‘Handy, easy to use guide.’ Walking World Ireland. ‘Will be appreciated by local walkers and visitors alike.’ Irish Mountain Log. ‘Ideal for bringing out on a trail.’ The Irish Times Also by this author: ‘Dublin & Wicklow: A Walking Guide’, ‘Ireland’s Best Walks: A Walking Guide’, ‘Northern Ireland: A Walking Guide’
At Swim: A Book About The Sea
by Brendan Mac Evilly Michael O'ReillySea swimming is the great leveller; we’re all the same in a pair of togs. No one minds who you are or what you’ve done; the question is ‘are you getting in?’ Popular for centuries, sea swimming has had a recent surge in interest, with a growing community now taking the plunge. Brendan Mac Evilly and Michael O’Reilly, enthusiastic members of this bathing fraternity, chart their adventures in forty-three of Ireland’s most enticing places to swim. Along the way, they meet artists who come to the sea for inspiration and distance swimmers undertaking marathon sea swims. Their conversations with local dippers touch on the history and lore of these stunning locations and confirm Ireland’s vibrant sea-swimming culture. Part guidebook, part travelogue, part analysis of our relationship with the sea, At Swim explores the thrills, fears and joys of sea swimming.
Walking Tall: The Autobiography Of A World Champion And Olympic Medallist
by Rob HeffernanDeemed too small for his school Gaelic football team at the age of fourteen, Rob Heffernan took up race walking on a whim. Driven by a fiercely competitive nature and a dogged desire to be the best, he strode his way to the pinnacle of the sport, winning bronze in the London 2012 Olympics and becoming world champion in Moscow in 2013. In 2016, he became the first athlete to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games for a fifth time. In this no-holds-barred account, Rob describes his battles with injury, depression and poverty on his way to the top. Even when at his best, he found himself cheated out of medals by those who crossed the dark line into doping. He candidly tells of the confrontations with Athletics Ireland and the Irish Sports Council that raged in the background to his struggle for that prestigious Olympic medal. This is the inside story of how one boy’s dream led him from the council flats of his tough upbringing to the winners’ podium. It is also a heartfelt chronicle of the sometimes nightmare-ridden journey to become a top athlete in this gruelling sport.
Cycling Kerry: Great Road Routes (Great Road Routes)
by Donnacha Clifford David EltonWith some of Ireland’s most beautiful and untamed scenery, 400km of rugged coastline and enticingly peaceful roads, what better way to explore County Kerry than by bike? These scenic cycles will guide you along popular routes and bring you to hidden gems. In a county famous for its climbs, some of the country’s most spectacular ascents, summit views and descents feature, including the Conor Pass and Ballaghbeama. Each route description is illustrated with colour maps, photos, a gradient graph and key facts and statistics. Information is provided on the natural landmarks and historical sites you’ll see along the way. With over 2,500km of road covered, the graded routes suit all abilities, from casual to experienced cyclists. So take a trip through majestic mountains and along wild seashores: a cycle in Kerry will take your breath away in every sense. Also available: 'Cycle Munster – Great Road Routes'
The Legendary Casey Brothers
by Jim Hudson Jim CaseyNowhere in the annals of sport is there a family so gifted. In 1982 the seven Casey brothers were inducted into the Irish Sports Hall of Fame, the only family ever to receive that honour. The brothers, from Sneem in County Kerry, starred as Olympic-class oarsmen, Tug-O’-War champions, professional wrestlers and boxers and won fame throughout the sporting world. Steve, known as ‘Crusher’ Casey, became the supreme wrestler in the world and for a decade no one could match him. When he turned to boxing, the great Joe Louis refused to go into the ring with him. In 1983 at a family reunion in Sneem, five brothers, all in their seventies, climbed into the four-oar boat they used to win championships in the 1930s. Although they had not rowed together in fifty years, they still moved with natural unity and grace. Sports people from Kerry have achieved fame in many fields but the success of the Caseys surely outshines all.
Hooked: An Amateur's Guide To The Golf Courses Of Ireland
by Kevin MarkhamWhat makes playing a golf course a great experience? Kevin Markham travelled 6,800 miles in a 20-year-old camper van, walked 2,100 miles, lost countless balls, and wore out three pairs of golf shoes to find out. He played and rated every 18-hole course - all 350 of them. The result is the most comprehensive, best-researched guide to Irish golfs, from expensive, well-known courses to affordable little gems. Kevin assesses each course in a detailed review and from a novel perspective, rating the golfing experience using the same criteria for all courses. Courses are ranked out of 100, across 8 criteria, such as design, appeal and value for money. This concise, detailed book is for golfing tourists looking for great value courses; for golfing societies that want to go beyond their local area; and for Irish golfers searching for excellent but unsung courses in Ireland. Written from an amateur's perspective, reviews focus on the energy and excitement of playing each course to give a true representation of the golf experience, and provides all the information necessary to book your round.
A Long Walk South: An Irishman's Trek On The Gr5
by Sean RotheryPatronising advice by a doctor at a retirement course to ‘walk a couple of miles a day’ challenges architect Sean Rothery to take a proper walk and so, at the age of sixty-five, he sets out to walk the GR5, the Grande Randonée Cinq. From the steely grey North Sea to the intense blue Mediterranean, Sean’s 2,300km-long route follows a network of old trails, forest paths, canal banks, Alpine valleys and passes. Along the way, he recounts some of his youthful enterprises, including cycling from Dieppe to Rome in the ruins of post-war Europe and a climbing accident in 1967 that saw him challenge another doctor’s prognosis. Ghosts of the past are revisited, most poignantly in the Alps where two friends died in climbing accidents, but also alongside the ruins of First World War trenches. Sketchbook in hand, Sean savours the landscape, history and culture as he passes from one country to another. Every day he looks out for the distinctive red-and-white waymarks of the GR5 – not an easy task, especially when change in the name of progress has cleared swathes of trails. This enthralling diary of a long walk south will have the reader urging the author on to the last step of the way.
Driving the Green: An Irish Golfing Adventure
by Kevin MarkhamMark Twain had it all wrong: golf is not a good walk spoiled, golf is a journey. And when Ireland provides the map it becomes an 11,000km odyssey for one man in a camper van. Kevin plays every 18-hole golf course in Ireland in all kinds of weather and with all kinds of golfers. He deals with a leaky roof, potholes, born-again Christians and even an Irish mammy. Ireland's beauty shines through but the people encountered along the way, the golf clubs visited and the idiosyncrasies of a twenty-year-old camper van form the fairways on which this story plays. From tee-off to putting the final hole, this is a true Irish golfing adventure.
Kinsale Harbour: A History
by John ThuillierNestling on the River Bandon, Kinsale emerged as a settlement in the sixth century and has seen many changes. Its deep, secure harbour provided a safe anchorage and prospered during the seventeenth century’s ‘golden age of sail’, victualling ships bound for the West Indies and the American colonies, and facilitating trade with English and continental ports. Its military forts and naval base protected against the threat of foreign invasion, as well as pirates and smugglers who were rampant on the coast. Its bustling waterfront was thronged with fishermen in the nineteenth century and today is filled with tourists and yachting enthusiasts. John Thuillier tells of community suffering, seafaring under lofty masts and billowing sails and life ashore in the taverns and coffee houses, aboard ships and in ‘lewd’ houses. This comprehensive overview of Kinsale’s seafaring tradition will be enjoyed by all who appreciate a whiff of salty spray and the adventure attached to ships voyaging to distant lands.
The Way That We Climbed: A History Of Irish Hillwalking, Climbing And Mountaineering
by Paddy O'LearyHillwalking is one of Ireland’s most popular leisure activities today. Rock climbing has developed to a level of technical excellence with crags in almost every county and numerous indoor climbing walls. Irish mountaineers have completed winter ascents in the Alps, scaled the highest Himalayan peaks and other previously unclimbed giants, and explored hitherto unknown valleys. Paddy O’Leary recounts the history of hillwalking and mountaineering in Ireland: from the early activists – some were involved in gunrunning, others died at Gallipoli – until the turn of the millennium, when mountaineering in Ireland was no longer the preserve of the middle class. This history recounts the adventures, dangers, successes and failures which make this multifaceted activity such a fascinating one, and mirrors the spirit of all who love these places. * Also available: The Longest Road by Sean Rothery
Carrauntoohil and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks: A Walking Guide To Ireland's Highest Mountains (A Walking Guide)
by Jim RyanA guide to 20 of popular walking routes on the MacGillycuddy's Reeks contains full-colour maps specially commissioned from the Ordnance Survey, photographs and map references. This guide also encompasses the history of the area, its geology and natural history, its place names and people. It offers useful information on travel and accommodation.
The Burren & Aran Islands: A Walking Guide (A Walking Guide)
by Tony KirbyA guide to some of the best walking routes in the region, with lucid descriptions and additional information to enhance the walkers' enjoyment and appreciation of the place. Each route, prefaced with a quick-reference summary, is illustrated with a clear sketch map.