The Last Prince of Ireland [Mass Market Paperback]

Morgan Llywelyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2001

The history of Ireland is studded with tragedies, but none is more poignant, or more decisive, that the battle of Kinsale. There the Gaelic nobility who held sway over Ireland for two thousand years were finally and resolutely crushed by the English invaders. There would follow four hundred years of English domination.

The Last Prince is Donal Cam O'Sullivan, still determined after the battle not to surrender his homeland. He flees with his clan toward an inland stronghold, as the Gaelic nation is ripped apart not only by war but by the seed of betrayal planted by the English, whose powerful bribes turn brother against brother. The awesome saga of Donal Cam and his clan's winter journey is a powerful vision of honor and betrayal, pride and desperation. Morgan Llywelyn captures the heart of the Irish struggle to survive.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This powerful partisan novel by the author of Druids recounts the aftermath of the last concerted attempt by Celtic nobility in Ireland to throw off English domination. When Elizabeth I sent her forces to the Catholic country to guard against attempts to retake the British Isles for Rome, her commanders used bribery and threats to coerce some nobles to swear fealty to the English throne. Others, led by Hugh O'Neill, held out during the Nine Years' War until the final defeat at the Battle of Kinsale in 1602. When this work opens a year later, a chieftain from the south, Donal Cam O'Sullivan of the now destroyed fortress town of Dunboy, has resorted to the desperate expedient of leading his people across a hostile Ireland to seek safety with loyal clans far to the north. A thousand civilians and soldiers set out but, harassed at every turn by those seeking the price on O'Sullivan's head and tormented by fierce winter weather and by hunger, only 34 men and one woman survive. This tale of courage, love, cruelty and treachery, one of the great legends of Ireland, receives vivid, evocative treatment here.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Veteran novelist Llywelyn (Red Branch , Morrow, 1990) breathes life into historical facts, seducing readers into caring about the people and events she depicts. Her new novel takes place in 17th-century Ireland as Queen Elizabeth I of England seeks to obliterate 2000 years of Celtic tradition and religion. It begins on December 30, 1602, soon after the Battle of Kinsdale sounded the death knell for Irish independence. Fugitive nobleman Donal Cam O'Sullivan, the "prince" of the title, denounces the queen and seeks to march 1000 followers to safety across wintry, dangerous terrain. Death, desertion, and near constant fighting with the enemy, both English and Irish, reduce his band to a starving and exhausted group of 35 survivors, but a lively dose of Irish humor woven into the dialog keeps the novel from becoming a funeral march. Cinematic descriptions and a plentiful ensemble of romantic characters make this very good reading for loyal Llywelyn fans and new readers alike. Despite a few credibility problems, this belongs on every library's shelf. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 1/92.
- Marlene McCormack-Lee, Drain Branch Lib., Roseburg, Ore.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (March 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812579135
• ISBN-13: 978-0812579130
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,035,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story of Courage and Patriotism, October 24, 2004

By 

Avid Reader (Willow Springs, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Last Prince of Ireland (Mass Market Paperback)

This book ranks in the top three of my favorites by Llywelyn -- Lion of Ireland and Red Branch being the other two. Llywelyn recounts in detail the journey of Donal Cam O'Sullivan and a rag-tag group of survivors as they move across Ireland to the safety of the north and Hugh O'Neill. Over a thousand men, women, and children set out on this journey and through treachery and death only 34 make it to the north. Above all this is a story of courage and patriotism. How a small group, encouraged by a strong leader, refuses to subject themselves to an invading and unwanted monarch out to rein in control of her stolen lands. This book is very much pro-Irish, so take that into consideration, but the author has history and a long bibliography to back her up.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not up to Llywelyn standards, May 11, 2002

By 

Chelle "Chelle" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Prince of Ireland (Mass Market Paperback)

*The Last Prince of Ireland,* though its historical accuracy seems to be above par, does not have the same impact that other Llywelyn novels have had.

The details are rich and abundant, but instead of bringing the suffering and minior triumphs to life, they seem to weigh the novel down. Point of view shifts are numerous and abrupt, though not necessarily confusing, but I wonder about how truly effective they are. However, what bothered me the most about this novel is that the characters inspired little emotion in me. After being blown away by Llywelyn's *Lion of Ireland,* I was fully prepared to fall in love with the characters. I was waiting to be absorbed by every word, every action, every tiny detail. And I wasn't.

Though this novel is not bad by any means, it is, if you've read any other Llywelyn novel, disappointing. I would not recommend starting with this one. Read *Lion of Ireland* first to see what this normally wonderful author is capable of.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An O'Sullivan Network Review, January 22, 2000

By 

Jim O'Sullivan (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Prince of Ireland: A Novel (Hardcover)

The Last Prince of Ireland, by Morgan Llywelyn, depicts in novel form the historic march from Doire na Fola near Glengarriff to Leitrim in Ulster of Donal Cam O'Sullivan, Lord of Beare and Bantry, and 1000 followers after the defeats of Kinsale and Dunboy that finalized the loss of Munster (southern Ireland) to England. The book, which is currently out of print, provides the reader with insight into the battle of Kinsale, the loss of Dunboy Castle, 16th Century O'Sullivan geneology and clan feuds, as well as historic descriptions of the entire devastating march. The book seems factual, is interesting, entertaining, and easy to read; and is definitely recommended reading for anyone interested in O'Sullivan ancestry or Irish history. If you are interested, visit O-SULLIVAN.NET