Ireland of the Proverb

Mac Con Iomaire, Liam: Ireland of the proverb. With photographs by Bill Doyle. Dublin, Town House, 2007. 22 cm. 221 pages. Illustrated softcover. Excellent, as new condition with only minor signs of external wear. Although Irish proverbs are not as widely quoted as they once were, they have enriched the lives of generations of ordinary Irish people. Ireland of the Proverb contains over one hundred and thirty of these traditional Irish proverbs. The proverbs are grouped into ten categories, including death, types of people, drink, youth and age, triads, and the often humorous quotation proverbs. Each entry includes the proverb in Irish, its English translation, and commentary on the proverbs significance in Irish history and culture which relates it to the accompanying black-and-white photographs. Readers will discover a wealth of information about Irish traditions, crafts, folklore, and rural life. Also included is an introduction discussing the history and tradition of proverbs and a brief history of the Irish language. The illustrations are by one of Irelanda's well known photographer Bill Doyle.