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Twenty Irish novels to read before you die - PHOTOS

From Irish greatest writers IrishCentral's list of 20 great novels from Ireland

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Thursday, April 7, 2011, 7:41 AM

Updated Thursday, April 7, 2011, 1:49 PM

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DrTrelawney | Apr 11, 2011, 04:02 PM EDT

Oh for goodness sake. I was talking about the book, Liam. Borstal Boy (the book) is not a novel; it is an autobiography. Novels are works of fiction.

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RedBranch | Apr 08, 2011, 03:34 PM EDT

'Rain on the Wind', Walter Macken.

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Suivness10 | Apr 08, 2011, 10:27 AM EDT

Great list.

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Liamkeyes | Apr 08, 2011, 09:46 AM EDT

To DrTrawleney. The Play "Borstal Boy" was based upon the Book. One could read "The Quare Fella" as a novel. While I look over the list again, I am disappointed not to see "The Ginger Man" by J.P. Donleavy

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MarthaAnne | Apr 07, 2011, 06:27 PM EDT

I agree with you, hyattsville!

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MarthaAnne | Apr 07, 2011, 06:26 PM EDT

Sorry, I typo: Not "Tevor", but, rather, "Trevor". One of the greatest living Irish novelists (not just my opinion, just considered such by critics)

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MarthaAnne | Apr 07, 2011, 06:24 PM EDT

And William Tevor, an Anglo-Irish writer of novels, won the Booker Prize and is wonderful.

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DrTrelawney | Apr 07, 2011, 06:24 PM EDT

Well, John B Keane did write the odd novel, but they weren't very distinguished. He's a playwright.

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MarthaAnne | Apr 07, 2011, 06:23 PM EDT

I am sorry that he was not a novelist, but, rather, a short story writer, because then he would be close to the top of that list, in my opinion. I am talking about the greatest short story writer in the English language, Frank O'Connor. The Great Frank O'Connor.

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phinsman | Apr 07, 2011, 06:11 PM EDT

John B. Keane is my favorite Irish author... why none of his books on this list?

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DrTrelawney | Apr 07, 2011, 05:03 PM EDT

Liamkeyes, neither Borstal Boy nor The Quare Fella are novels. Wmmcall, James T Farrell isn't Irish.

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wmmccall | Apr 07, 2011, 04:44 PM EDT

What about James T. Farrell's "Studs Lonigan?" It should be on your list.

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GeorgeDillon | Apr 07, 2011, 04:04 PM EDT

It shows you the mindless monolinguals who now determine "Irish" culture. Hayes has got some nerve writing about the greatest Irish novels, when she clearly is only able to read novels in English. Any list of great Irish novels which doesn't include O Cadhain's "Cre na Cille" is obviously drawn up by a narrow-minded ignoramus.

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oldboreen | Apr 07, 2011, 02:48 PM EDT

Joseph O'Connor surely!!!'star of the Sea'-'Innishowen'and 'Redemption Falls' Also Brendan Behan and Hugh Leonard. Who drew up this list????

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mcdolan | Apr 07, 2011, 02:00 PM EDT

Morgan Llywelyn's LION OF IRELAND (and all her other books, but this one in particular) is a must read!

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