Irish Culture, Your Way: Choose Books Based on Your Reading Mood

The Irish Boarding House by Sandy Taylor and read by Aofie McMahon 

In 1952 Dublin, Mary Kate Ryan is shocked to inherit money from the mother who abandoned her. Hoping for closure, she instead buys a neglected house and turns it into a boarding home for women in need. But when a mysterious guest arrives, Mary Kate uncovers a painful secret about her past.  

The Keening by Anne Emery and read by Sean David Power 

After a lavish 16th century banquet at the Maguire castle, the prophetess Sorcha is found murdered, and Shane Tierney is accused. Centuries later, a dig on Tierney land in County Fermanagh uncovers ancient prophecies and a preserved body, linking past and present as the mystery of Sorcha’s death resurfaces. 

The Irish Princess by Elizabeth Chadwick and read by Angele Masters 

In 1160, 14-year-old Aoife MacMurchada is forced into exile when her father, the king of Leinster, is overthrown. Seeking help from England, he promises Aoife’s hand to the ambitious Richard de Clare. But Aoife refuses to be a pawn and sets out to shape her own destiny. 

Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel 

When Saoirse Fagan arrives at Drumboe Castle for her new housemaid role, she finds the lord has recently died. Wandering the dark glen, she’s taken in by Aileen McCready for the night. Owen McCready, Aileen’s brother, struggles to maintain his weaving business after an injury, and Saoirse is determined to prove she can help—and maybe find a place to belong. 

The Irish Girl by Santa Montefiore 

Born on September 9, 1900, Kitty Deverill grows up at Castle Deverill in the lush hills of West Cork, Ireland. Caught between love for Jack O’Leary and her duty to family and country, she aids the Irish rebels as conflict erupts. Meanwhile, her friend Bridie Doyle harbors envy and resentment, threatening the bonds Kitty holds most dear. 

An Irish Hostage by Charles Todd 

The Great War has ended, but Ireland remains tense after the 1916 Easter Rising. Bess travels to her friend Eileen Flynn’s village for her wedding, only to find the groom missing and a body pulled from the sea. As old and new dangers collide, Bess must uncover a deadly plot before someone she loves pays the ultimate price. 

The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing and read by Keval Shah and Teralyn Davis 

Once a famous street photographer, Cordelia James retreats from life after her father’s death. On a whim, she takes a summer job on Ireland’s Inishmore island. There she clashes with grumpy local Niall O’Connor, but their constant run-ins soon spark something unexpected beneath the tension. 

An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige and read by Sarah Mollo-Christensen 

When Chelsea loses her stable job and home at a Boston B&B, she takes a summer position at a sister hostel in Galway, Ireland. Struggling at first, she slowly warms to the lively Irish lifestyle. The help from charming tour guide Collin leaves her torn between returning home or starting anew abroad. 

The Maiden of Ireland by Susan Wiggs and read by K.C. Sheridan 

Condemned to hang for treason, John Wesley Hawkins is spared when he’s sent on a dangerous mission to Ireland to spy on rebels. His task: win the trust of fierce castle mistress Caitlin MacBride. But as loyalty and attraction collide, both must question where their true allegiances—and hearts—really lie. 

Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker 

After one too many whiskeys, screenwriter Cara Kennedy joins the Leap Day tradition of women proposing—waking up with a handsome stranger, a tin-foil ring, and four hours before her flight. With her career-defining meeting looming, she must take her unexpected husband and his adorable dog back to LA and sort out the chaos she’s created. 

The Cosy Cottage in Ireland by Julie Caplin 

Lawyer Hannah Campbell seeks a break from her hectic Manchester life and books a spot at Ballygeary Cookery School in County Kerry. A chance encounter in Dublin sparks a connection with the charming Conor, and when she arrives at the scenic school, their paths cross again—forcing Hannah to navigate love, laughter, and life in the Irish countryside. 

The Boy Next Door by Sian Ogorman 

Journalist Claudia Kelly loves her work at a top Dublin magazine, but editing Irish Man feels like a challenge. Reconnecting with childhood friend Johnny Hogan gives her courage, but a hostile takeover, family secrets, and mysterious visitors test her resilience. Claudia must find inner strength to navigate love, career, and a new chapter in life. 

Stone Song by Tricia O’Malley and read by Amy Landon 

Clare MacBride’s life is perfectly planned—until strange feelings about the energy in stones lead her into the unexpected. After a rainy-night encounter with a mysterious fae and a protective stranger, Clare’s scientific world unravels, forcing her to question everything she believes and search her heart for the truth. 

The Morrigan by Courtney Weber and read by Wendy Tremont King 

This engaging guide explores the Morrigan, Ireland’s legendary “Phantom Queen” and one of the most powerful goddesses in Celtic tradition. Known for war, magic, protection, and fate, she’s also linked to healing, motherhood, shapeshifting, and the land. Blending ancient lore with modern practices, the book invites today’s devotees to connect with her enduring power.  

Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu and read by Aoife McMahon 

Laura lives quietly with her father in a lonely castle deep in the Austrian wilderness. When the mysterious and beautiful Carmilla arrives one night, strange events begin to unfold. As a powerful bond grows between them, Laura discovers Carmilla’s dark secret in this chilling Gothic tale that helped shape vampire fiction. Written 26 years before Bram Stoker’s Dracula! 

Wild Irish Heart by Tricia O’Malley 

Keelin O’Brien leaves her Boston studies for a quiet Irish village, drawn by an ancient book and the secrets of the enchanted cove. Surly by day and irresistible by night, Flynn challenges her, but hidden forces push them together. Only the cove can reveal Keelin’s true power and a love beyond imagination. 

Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland by Jane Wilde 

Lady Jane Wilde, mother of Oscar Wilde and a noted folklorist, captured Ireland’s rich myths, rituals, and beliefs. This collection features over 100 enchanting tales—from mischievous fairies to leprechauns promising gold—preserving the mystical superstitions of Irish peasantry. Stories include “The Horned Women,” “The Fenian Knights,” “The Fairy Changeling,” and “The Legends of the Western Islands.” 

The Book of Kells by R. A. MacAvoy 

A contemporary artist, John Thornburn—gentle, pacifist, and unpredictable—and his fierce, warrior-spirited partner Derval are thrust back to ancient Ireland to avenge a Viking raid. Blending Celtic history with magical fantasy, this imaginative tale revolves around the legendary Book of Kells, weaving rich historical detail with adventure on the edge of realism and myth. 

Murder on an Irish Farm by Carlene O’Connor and read by Caroline Lennon 

Siobhán O’Sullivan and Macdara Flannery are finally ready to wed in County Cork, Ireland. But their big day takes a shocking turn when her brother James discovers a skeleton at Macdara’s new farmhouse. What starts as a wedding pause turns into a thrilling cold-case investigation, putting the couple and everyone they love on edge. 

Death at an Irish Wedding by Ellie Brannigan and read by Traci Odom 

Rayne McGrath’s attempt to save her family castle went up in flames, literally. Desperate to turn things around, she welcomes an exclusive LA wedding, only for excitement to take a deadly twist when a guest’s assistant is found dead. As secrets unravel, Rayne must fight to save the castle, her reputation, and her sanity. 

Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross and read by Callie Beaulieu 

In Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Meier, reporter Lucy Stone covers four aspiring Irish step dancers, but a mother’s mysterious death turns the story upside down. Death of an Irish Coffee Drinker by Lee Hollis follows restaurateur Hayley Powell as a comedian dies after St. Patrick’s Day drinks. Perked Up by Barbara Ross finds Julia Snowden sharing ghost stories and Irish coffees during a snowy blackout, uncovering secrets along the way. 

The Jig Is Up by Lisa Q. Mathew 

Single mom and police chief’s daughter Kate Buckley heads home to Shamrock, Massachusetts, when her sister Colleen sends a frantic text. Family drama quickly turns deadly after Colleen’s best friend, a local dance star, is found murdered. With St. Patrick’s Week in full swing, Kate must solve the mystery, protect her sister, and keep Shamrock’s luck alive. 

Come Through Your Door by Carlene O’Connor 

On a rainy night in quiet Dingle, Dimpna Wilde finds her employee Niamh dazed and soaked in the road. At Niamh’s apartment, a shocking discovery awaits: a woman shot dead in her bed. With Niamh’s memory gone and a mysterious boyfriend who may not exist, Dimpna must unravel a chilling, twisting mystery before it’s too late. 

Fenian Street by Anne Emery 

Shay Rynne, raised in Dublin’s Corporation Flats, dreams of joining the Garda Síochána. After his friend Rosaleen is murdered, he takes matters into his own hands. As his star rises on a high-profile investigation, suspicion falls on his own family, sending Shay from Dublin’s mansions to New York’s Irish mob to clear their name.