The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom (Hardcover)

~ Fergus Kelly (Author), Pat Fairon (Author), Mary Dowling Daley (Author) "For my mother who raised me at her breast..." (more)
Key Phrases: Hicky Picky

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From words of wisdom to ribald toasts, whimsical observations to eloquent prayers and blessings, a grand tour of the traditions, lore, and teachings of the Irish—including delightful thoughts and saying like these:

- You'll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind
- Three candles that illuminate every darkness: truth, nature, knowledge
- Every patient is a doctor after his cure
- The poet who overcharges for a poem shall be stripped of half his rank in society
- There are three kinds of men who fail to understand women: young men, old men and middle-aged men
- May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends gathered below never fall out

About the Author

Fergus Kelly is a contributor for the following Black Dog & Leventhal Title: The Big Little Book of Irish Wit and Wisdom.

Pat Fairon is a contributor for the following Black Dog & Leventhal Title: The Big Little Book of Irish Wit and Wisdom.

Mary Dowling Daley is a contributor for the following Black Dog & Leventhal Title: The Big Little Book of Irish Wit and Wisdom.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (January 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884822738
• ISBN-13: 978-1884822735
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,780 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #47 in	Books > History > Europe > Ireland
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Little Book! Deserves all 5 stars!, September 17, 2000

By	Mary C "NurseMare" (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an enchanting little book that encompasses a collection of Irish Blessings, Irish Toasts, Irish Proverbs, Irish Riddles, Irish Laws, and Irish Wisdom. They are inspiring, funny, uplifting. Each saying is accompanied by a beautiful illustration. I would recommend this book to anyone, you don't have to be Irish to enjoy it! This is a keeper on my shelf!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thought for every mood!, May 3, 2000

By A Customer

Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom: Six Volumes In One adds an irish twist to make it rise above the average 'quick read.' It enlightens, amuses, entertains, and inspires you, no matter what mood you're in. These little books pack alot of power!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars `May the roof above us never fall in, and may friends gathered below never fall out', June 27, 2008

By	J. Cameron-Smith "Expect the Unexpected" (ACT, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is one of those delightful books to be browsed, treasured and shared. This book draws together Irish blessings, toasts, proverbs, riddles, laws and wisdom. Many of us who are part of a wider Irish diaspora will have heard at least some of these. They reflect a version of Irish wit and wisdom that perhaps grows stronger at each remove from its geographic centre. The book has its own delightful illustrations (which are especially important in the riddle section).

To give you a hint of the flavour, I'll share one entry from each of the six separate headings.

From Irish Blessings, here is `The Emigrants Prayer':
`Brigid that is in Faughart
Blinne that is in Killeavey,
Bronagh that is in Ballinakill
May you bring me back to Ireland'

From Irish Toasts:
`May the face of every good news
And the back of every bad news
Be towards us'

And how many of us are familiar with this proverb:
`A turkey never voted for an early Christmas'?

One of the riddles:
`It was in the river but wasn't drowned
It was in the grass but wasn't cut
It was in the shop but wasn't sold'

My personal favourite from the Irish laws would be:
`Speech is given to three:
To the historian-poet for the narration and relating of tales,
To the poet-seer for praise and satire,
And to the Brehons for giving judgement'

Finally, from the Irish Wisdom (which presents ideas in triads):

`Three things which judgement demands:
Wisdom,
Penetration,
Knowledge.'

Explore this book for yourself. In brevity there is both wit and beauty.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith