What's a good book to read as an introduction to Irish history/culture?

[Nikola]

Recently I've been getting more and more into my Irish heritage, but realized to really be into it I need to know more about Ireland in general, from it's history to it's geography and culture. So what's a good book to start with?

 

[RiderFan]

A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle. Read all three, takes you from the start of the irish republic to present day.

 

[AlanM]

My books are probably the best.

 

[cormaco]

There's a book called "Ireland - Inventing the Nation" by R.V. Comerford, professor of history in Maynooth University. It's a great read, and contains more of Irish history and cultural development than most Irish people know of. I highly recommend it.

 

[PeteMorry]

Bredan Behan, any of the books listed below give you the feeling of irish heritage and irish history and culture.

Borstal Boy, Brendan Behan's Island, Hold Your Hour and Have Another, Brendan Behan's New York,
Confessions of an Irish Rebel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Behan