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An Irish Country Christmas (Irish Country #3)

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 · rating details · 1,608 ratings · 250 reviews

Barry Laverty, M.B., is looking forward to his first Christmas in the cozy village of Ballybucklebo, at least until he learns that his sweetheart, Patricia, might not be coming home for the holidays. That unhappy prospect dampens his spirits somewhat, but Barry has little time to dwell on his romantic disappointments. Christmas may be drawing nigh, but there is little peac...more

Hardcover, 496 pages

Published October 28th 2008 by Forge Books (first published 2008)

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Jan 19, 2013 Chelle Bell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

This is the first book I've read by Patrick Taylor, and I was nicely surprised! I buy Christmas books every year as my own little tradition, to take a break from the fast paced reading that is my norm. I tend to read everything available, with a lot of thrillers, scifi and hot paranormal romance for fun. I love page turners.

An Irish Country Christmas is a true delight. I was drawn to the book after my recent vacation in Ireland, and I'm happy to report that Taylor captured the magnificent Irish...more

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Feb 02, 2010 Carolyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the third "Irish Country" book. This was slightly different from the first two, in that it shifted occasionally to the perspective of the older doctor. Although this was jarring at first, I ended up appreciating the change of pace. The older doctor is falling in love for the first time since his young wife died in the fire bombing of Belfast over twenty years ago. I don't think I have ever read a description from the point of view of a fifty-six year old man falling in love. Given the bi...more

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Dec 24, 2009 Bridget rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads

This is the second in the series by Patrick Taylor that I have read, and it was truly enjoyable. Once again, we visit the tiny town of Ballybucklebo, County Down, Northern Ireland, to spend Christmastime with Final Flahertie O'Reilly, M.D., his young partner, Barry Laverty, M.D., and their housekeeper, "Kinky" Kincaid.

The best part about these books for me is the way they describe the day-to-day lives of small-town inhabitants in 1960s Ireland. The townspeople are well-drawn, and seldom caricat...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Cherise rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have never before read anything by Patrick Taylor, but I am a sucker for all things Irish and anything Christmas so I took a chance…and I am very glad I did!

Two country doctors care for the people in the cozy little town of Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland. Dr. O’Reilly is the senior partner who has recently taken the younger Dr. Laverty into his already well established practice. Together the two of them share the office practice and on call responsibilities while nurturing there budding fri...more

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Feb 22, 2009 Sue rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes James Herriot or stories set in rural Ireland

I haven't commented on the first two books I read that are in the same 'series,' so I feel I should rectify that after finishing this one (after staying up late last night to do so). When I was in high school, I read and loved James Herriot's books in the All Things Great and Small series, focusing on his daily adventures as a country vet in rural England in the 40's - 50's. If you've not read them, I highly recommend - good stories, warm characters that you take into your heart, and lots of lau...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Christine rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: irish-library

“An Irish Country Christmas” is the third of Patrick Taylor’s books about life as a general practice physician in small-town Northern Ireland in 1964. Taylor draws on his experiences as a doctor to write these stories.

Taylor tells the story by shifting the point of view between the two main characters, senior physician Fingal O’Reilly and his new partner Barry Laverty. This is a departure from the previous two books, in which the point of view was strictly that of Laverty. Having read the other...more “An Irish Country Christmas” is the third of Patrick Taylor’s books about life as a general practice physician in small-town Northern Ireland in 1964. Taylor draws on his experiences as a doctor to write these stories.

Taylor tells the story by shifting the point of view between the two main characters, senior physician Fingal O’Reilly and his new partner Barry Laverty. This is a departure from the previous two books, in which the point of view was strictly that of Laverty. Having read the other books, I found this change unsettling. Up until now, we didn’t need to know what was going on inside O’Reilly’s head until it came out of his mouth, either confirming or refuting Laverty’s perceptions. Why do we need to hear his internal ruminations now? Especially since knowing doesn’t seem to help move the story along.

As in the other books, the narrative rambles on about the quirky, often uncouth inhabitants of Ballybucklebo, punctuated with medical case studies of their afflictions. Taylor feels it necessary to define the limitations of medical practice in the 1960’s even though today most of the same treatments would still be used for these ailments. As a Registered Nurse I have no problems with his management of most of the general medical-surgical complaints, but because my specialty is obstetrics, it irritates me no end when he unnecessarily sensationalizes his OB cases.

It’s human nature to make much ado about nothing, but Taylor’s crises seem more than usually contrived. His antagonists are unpleasant and unlikable, but they tend to cave in easily, making me wonder if they really constituted a threat after all. He has a hard time maintaining the tension that should characterize the love interest which, although not the main source of conflict in the stories, should be compelling if it’s going to be there at all.

Taylor tries to illustrate a poor standard of living for many of the residents of the village, but I find him unconvincing. By the 1960’s the British economy had recovered from the Second World War, and as a part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland was receiving the benefits of that recovery. In contrast, despite not having participated in the Second World War, the Republic of Ireland experienced a long, slow struggle to build its economy, and at this time it was a third-world country where large numbers of people still lived in substandard housing that lacked toilet facilities.

It is in the area of political and religious persuasion that I find Taylor to be the least believable. He makes a point of remarking upon the universal respect, cooperation, and tolerance exhibited by Ballybuckebo’s Loyalist/Protestant and Republican/Catholic residents. A precedent for this kind of friendliness can be found in “The Quiet Man”, which I think takes place sometime between 1916-1937, and in which everybody in the village (which is located in the west of the Republic of Ireland) gets along swimmingly with only a couple of references to the Irish Republican Army. But Taylor’s story takes place in Northern Ireland, where the worst of Irish sectarian strife has always occurred. Historians date the escalation of violence called “The Troubles” to 1969, but it didn’t just happen overnight. Taylor is talking about life in 1964, and despite being reasonably close to Belfast nobody in Ballybucklebo takes their sectarian observances seriously.

My main interest in acquiring Taylor’s books (dirt cheap in hardcover, all three for much less than the price of one) was to get some feel for the culture of Northern Ireland, which with the Republic of Ireland counties of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan constitute the province of Ulster. I had already read books by other authors that were set in the other three provinces (Connacht, Munster and Leinster), and I wanted to see if I could tell the difference. For the most part, I could not. All of the authors I read took the opportunity to stress provincial differences, but comparing all of the characters in these books I find that in general, their habits, attitudes, and vocabulary are practically indistinguishable (only in the book about people in Connacht did traditional behaviors and the use of the Gaeilge language play a significant role). My conclusion is that the differences that the Irish perceive among the residents of the four provinces are primarily based on accent and inflection.

I found “An Irish Country Christmas” to be an easy read, but not compelling. In this respect, it follows the quality of Taylor’s first two efforts, “An Irish Country Doctor” and “An Irish Country Village”. There’s a bit too much unnecessary description: Why is it important to know about the carpet on the floor of the hallway to the loo in the pub? (Who was it that said that if it’s mentioned that there’s a gun on the sideboard in Act 1, it needs to be fired by Act 3?) Do we really need to know that Laverty is using the loo? The strong emphasis on the coarse language used by many of the characters — including Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly — is grating. As a result, I think that in all three books there's really only enough material for perhaps two better-written books of this length.
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Jun 02, 2012 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Another installment of Patrick's An Irish Country series. I still find Ballybucklebo and its residents enchanting, in good part because of my love of all things Irish. I love the quaint, endearing people, the eccentricities of Irish slang, the musicality of language, and the richness of the village's setting. I particularly enjoy Taylor's portrayal of Dr. Fingal Flaherty O'Reilly as the gruff GP with a heart of corn, although he seems to be getting a lot softer around the edges. I'll see if his...more Another installment of Patrick's An Irish Country series. I still find Ballybucklebo and its residents enchanting, in good part because of my love of all things Irish. I love the quaint, endearing people, the eccentricities of Irish slang, the musicality of language, and the richness of the village's setting. I particularly enjoy Taylor's portrayal of Dr. Fingal Flaherty O'Reilly as the gruff GP with a heart of corn, although he seems to be getting a lot softer around the edges. I'll see if his character improves because of it. I hope we still get the occasional toss of an offending patient into the rosebushes and a man who's not afraid to right wrongs with the occasional shouting match.

Indeed, while I find a few things in this novel slightly disturbing to my usual pleasure with this series, I am perhaps most frustrated with Barry's relationship with Patricia. I understand that being an independent, successful woman at a time when such a thing was not the 'norm' is very important to her, but I feel she has been more selfish than is really fair to Barry. I'm going to have to wait to read the next book that concerns them to find out how her actions affect their relationship since she only returns at the very end of this one. I'm glad she made it in time for Christmas with Barry, but if she hadn't completely forgotten about the man she's supposedly in love with until it was almost too late to assure a means of travel, they could have spent much more of the holiday together. My heart broke for Barry several times at her thoughtlessness. Barry was right; if their roles were reversed he would have been on the first flight or ferry ride out of Britain to make it back home to be with her. Instead, she spent so much time with friends (nearly three weeks) that she forgot about poor Barry until it was almost too late.

Of course, not all the problems in their long-distance relationship is Patricia's doing: on several occasions Barry found himself lip-locked with and intrigued by more than one woman--to the point where he'd wanted to ask for a phone number and see them later. Barry is young, true enough, but is his relationship with Patricia strong enough that he could stay true to her the entire time she's attending Cambridge? Again, things I'll have to learn in the next novel they're featured in. Half of me hopes they'll get things worked out and be able to compromise on a life together, and the other half feels they have different versions of their own individual futures and they should probably move on and find someone else.

Either way, I'm looking forward to reading the next book and hoping for the best in Ballybucklebo.(less)

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Sep 12, 2010 Carol rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

This is the third in a series of books by Patrick Taylor about two country doctors in Ireland. I enjoyed the first one very much, and also like the next two, but I found some of the repetition a bit too much. Not only incidents from previous books, but also referring to circumstances within each story became a little tedious. Readers know how much Barry misses Patricia - we need not be told over and over again. I was wanting things to move a bit faster.

However, I do enjoy most of the characters,...more

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Jan 04, 2009 Virginia rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a Christmas gift from a dear friend. With a strained back, I spent a day or so reading this charming book set in the fictional Ballybucklebo, in Northern ireland, wondering if the young Doctor's girl friend would come back from London for Christmas. If this sounds like chicklit to you, so be it. There are many references to Irish lore, language, etc. that rang a bell. I did get a bit of the feeling that these cultural references were a bit heavy handed and not skillfully woven into the...more

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Jan 17, 2011 Snap rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

Doctors Laverty and O'Reilly are preparing for Christmas in Ballybucklebo. It will be Doctor Laverty's first Christmas in this cozy village and he's looking forward to it until he finds out that his lady love might not be joining him for the holiday. There is no time to dwell on disappointment. There are plenty of patients to care for not to mention the rugby parties and the Christmas pageant for the kids with Dr. O'Reilly as Santa. This series was recommended by a dear friend, and he was correc...more

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Mar 19, 2010 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Like the first two books of the series, this is an intimate look at a small village in County Down in the 1960s. Like most village life, not much happens in Ballybucklebo except for the occasional medical crisis for the two doctors Fingal Flaherty O'Reilly (named after Oscar Wilde) and junior partner Barry Laverty. O'Reilly who lost his first wife in the wartime bombing of Belfast is trying to decide if he will allow himself to fall in love with the nurse he knew as a student, and Laverty is dis...more

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Feb 10, 2011 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another visit into the village of Ballybucklebo in Ireland. Another chance to see the characters met in previous books. If you want to know what doctoring was like in the 1960's in a small village this novel will give you a glimpse into that life. The characters are warm and well developed. Dr. Reilly has now had his new associate for five months. This will be Dr. Laverty's first Christmas in town. He is finally feeling comfortable and Dr. Reilly, Kinky, and Kitty are beginning to feel like fami...more

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Mar 26, 2011 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the third in a series of books by Patrick Taylor about two country doctors in Ireland. I enjoyed the first one very much, and also liked the next two, Readers know how much Barry misses Patricia - we need not be told over and over again. I was wanting things to move a bit faster. However, I do enjoy most of the characters, and one gets a good feel of country living and its quirky, kind, close neighbors. It reminded me a bit of Jan Karon's Metford series, but I liked those stories even mo...more

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Dec 16, 2009 Teri rated it 4 of 5 stars

This one picks up exactly where the 2nd one left off, which is what happened with the 2nd picking up where the 1st left off. This is a delightful series, sort of James Herriott meets Ballykissangel (the tv show), and a perfect escape. To read this particular one now, during the Christmas season, is especially good! AND the next one is coming out in January.

I'm about 2/3 through it.

Of course, these are predictable plots, and quirky characters in a small town are not exactly a new thing in fiction...more

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Dec 17, 2010 Judy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Starting this novel for a bookclub selection. Very nice, country setting in 1964. Humorous, warm, quirky. '64 rural Ireland reminds me of 1950's USA. They are still insulated from hippie revolution, etc. Interesting to read the doctors' medical remedies. Patients in this small village (suburb of Belfast) are also friends. Protestant/catholic antagonism and violence doesn't exist. The 2 churches live and play together. Wonderful. Younger doctor admires his girl friend's independence and intellige...more

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Jan 18, 2010 Andrea rated it 2 of 5 stars

EASY read. Part of a series - won't continue as it's not my type of book, but needed easy through the holidays. Small-town doctors in Ireland. I suspect Mr. Taylor more than over exaggerates the HEROIC feats of the doctors in this story, but the doctors' methods got me thinking (once I got past the ridiculous banter and silly dialogue). Medicine used to be practiced by DOCTORS, not their various nurses and assistants who do nothing but weigh, measure and take notes on the masses to pass on to th...more

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Sep 15, 2012 Lizzie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: loved

This is the book that actually got me hooked on the Irish Country series. Once I read it I had to find the others! Christmas in Ballybucklebo is an exciting time for all who live there. Illnesses and more keep the doctors busy, but there's always time for a party or two. Dr. Laverty's girl, Patricia, is now in Cambridge and she might not make it home for the holiday while Dr. O'Reilly, on the other hand, is becoming more and more enthralled with his old love interest, Kitty. A new doctor in the...more

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Dec 22, 2010 Shauna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Our annual December book club choice is frequently something light and Christmasy. This one fit that bill nicely. Although this is the third book in a series, I did not find it difficult to find my way in this little Irish town. The characters are folksy and fun, if somewhat predictable, and I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Christmas customs and traditions from a different culture. My biggest complaint was that sometimes the writing and story was a bit redundant. I think it could have be...more

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May 31, 2010 Traci Haley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, audiobooks, historical, series-books

It took me awhile to get through this novel because it was so long, but I enjoyed every minute. These are charming little stories with likable characters and feel-good moments. I don't read them for thrills and chills, or deep thoughts, or anything like that... I read them because they make me smile and feel happy. I've noticed, however, that I've started using a lot of slang that is peppered through the book... I keep catching myself saying "Hold your hurry in your hand," or "Hold your whist,"...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Brett rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Another delightful piece of cozy that looks at a world that, if it existed, is long gone - but one we'd like to live in. I'm enjoying seeing the development of the characters, with one caveat: I really don't care for the way Barry Laverty, who seems an extremely intelligent & likeable young man in all other regards, deals with the frustrations of his romance, particularly now that it's a long-distance one. Barry's reactions to girlfriend Patricia studying at Cambridge & her struggles to...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Speedtrap63 rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic read! It has no politics, no deep message, just a really great story! So refreshing!

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Feb 09, 2012 Jackie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have a minor obsession with Ireland, so when my friend said she was going to donate this book (although she had read it and enjoyed it) I thought that I would read it before handing it over to the Salvation Army. I was hoping that it would be a little like the book All Creatures Great and Small--except with humans this time. I liked all the insider references to Irish culture (and the word list at the back), and I liked the funny medical stories, and the doctor's housekeeper was my favorite ch...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Kellyk rated it 5 of 5 stars

I find that every Patrick Taylor book I read, I fall more in love with the characters and little towns he creates! This is the third in the Irish Country series, and it was much different from the first two. The elder doctor, Doctor O'Reilly, offers his perspective much more than in the first two, particularly in regards to his love life, which I thought was very interesting. However, the younger Doctor Laverty seems to be failing in that area of his life, as his uptight girlfriend Patricia seem...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Jeri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: f-general, kindle

I think this is the third of this series of the two doctors (young and old) practicing in the little village of Ballybucklebo that I've read. This one has a slight twist as the older doctor rekindles an old "flame" that makes you wonder, what's next. Taylor just writes a sweet story, with fun characters..the kind I like to read with a cup of tea and when I'm stressed and just want to escape for a bit. There's a good reason for that kind of literature, in my opinion. But if you're going to get in...more

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Dec 06, 2010 Leslie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ireland

An Irish Country Christmas is the third of a series of beautifully covered novels sent in the Irish Ulster village of Ballybucklebo in the 1960's. All the characters I have grown to love are back and continuing right where they left in An Irish Country Doctor. The stories all center around two doctors, young Dr Barry Laverty, pining after his lovely lassie who has gone off to Cambridge on an engineering scholarship and may or may not be falling out of love with him, and the more senior, Dr Finga...more An Irish Country Christmas is the third of a series of beautifully covered novels sent in the Irish Ulster village of Ballybucklebo in the 1960's. All the characters I have grown to love are back and continuing right where they left in An Irish Country Doctor. The stories all center around two doctors, young Dr Barry Laverty, pining after his lovely lassie who has gone off to Cambridge on an engineering scholarship and may or may not be falling out of love with him, and the more senior, Dr Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, with a nose that has a distinct list to port. His lady love died during the war, but he has recently been seen out and about with a beautiful nurse who he actually cared for even before his late wife. Their housekeeper, Kinky Kinkaid, who we learned so much about in An Irish Country Girl is still here, looking after her doctors and feeding them her exquisite cookery that Taylor describes with such detail and skill that one needs a snack nearby whenever reading these books. This book, like hers, has some of her recipes in the back. They are daunting indeed. Most people, like me, believe the lovely meals described so often in these books are their own kind of joy to experience. The book lets us share with the doctors a week or two of their lives as country doctors. We meet a wonderfully obnoxious new doctor from O'Reilly's past that must be dealt with after it is discovered that he is prescribing gunpowder for infertility and other such fun nonsense. It's said that if such a patient should die, he cannot be cremated. You'll have to read the book to discover why! Though this was the 4th round of Taylor's books for me, I found it to be quite different in general from the others. Same town, same villagers, but the feel of it all was slightly more masculine, especially the language. I learned 4 new ways to accuse someone of having less than normal intelligence and was reminded of the male sex drive and just how much they think about that all day. I suppose the rumours are true. I almost suspected that this was actually the first novel he wrote but saved it for later. It was ever so slightly less polished than the others. I would recommend it to be read last.

Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor

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Dec 03, 2008 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: general-fiction

This was my Thanksgiving weekend treat, and I really enjoyed this third installment. Seems like this series has grown stronger as it goes along. Nice to catch up on the Christmas doings in Ballybucklebo, to see the changes and growth in both doctors and their lives. Plus, one little boy's revenge for not getting the part of Joseph in the nativity play--is AWESOME! Had me laughing so hard!

Still a few more medical details than I really need--let's just say I got the lowdown on an emergency home d...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked this up at the library because it was right before Christmas and it did not disappoint. I will be reading all of the Irish Country Doctor books.

This being the first of the series that I have read, I was a little annoyed with Patricia. I will have to go back and read the previous two novels to see if she is really worth of Dr. Laverty. In this book she was not.

I love Kinky in the kitchen. I really enjoy hearing about all the food she makes and especially liked seeing the actual recipes...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I've read from the series and it was passed to me by my Mom who really enjoyed it. I echo her sentiments as the writing and story made me feel like I was part of Ballybucklebo. The characters' varied personalities made for some fun situations that made me laugh out loud! I love stories about small, close-knit towns whose residents all know each other and have inter-twined lives. These characters have become like friends to me, so I will definitely be searching for the othe...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Dan rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm a little embarrassed to admit to having read this and liked it. If you take a James Harriot book, substitute Northern Ireland for Yorkshire, doctors for vets, and fiction for memoir, you're close to this book. You definitely have to have a high tolerance for not-very-subtle sentimentality, but Taylor doesn't seem to be a bad writer, although he has an odd way of explaining cultural references to the reader through completely contrived-sounding dialogues or explanations of what a character kn...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Kristi (Books N Beans) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: family, about-kids, friendship, historical-fiction, holidays, humorous

I'm sad to say that this book was a disappointment to me. Being part Irish myself, I was very interesting in reading this book when I saw it on the store shelf. I was even glad to see that it was part of a series, so that I might read the other titles.

However, it ended up being I had to force-feed myself the book, and it was well after Christmas before I finished it. I finished it out of sheer determination, because I have this self-loathing thing I do when I set a book down undone.

In this sto...more I'm sad to say that this book was a disappointment to me. Being part Irish myself, I was very interesting in reading this book when I saw it on the store shelf. I was even glad to see that it was part of a series, so that I might read the other titles.

However, it ended up being I had to force-feed myself the book, and it was well after Christmas before I finished it. I finished it out of sheer determination, because I have this self-loathing thing I do when I set a book down undone.

In this story, the reader is re-introduced to Barry, O'Reilly, Kinky, and the rest of the villagers. I say re-introduced, because I was able to determine that Barry's story started in another book prior to this one. I also was able to figure out that O'Reilly's story continues from this one in "An Irish Country Courtship".

Barry is a young GP, who has moved to the small Irish, country village to assist the elderly GP (O'Reilly) and hopefully become his partner at the surgery. Surgery is what they term as clinic or doctor's office.

O'Reilly, the elderly GP, was for me the best of the book. That old man is a hoot, and I absolutely loved his personality!

Kinky is the fiery housemaid for the 2 doctors and is force to be reckoned with in her own right. She's also a fun character as you watch her be stern with the doctors, soft on them as they need, and fierce to any who challenge her or them. Kinky also has "the gift", as in she will from time to time see events in the future. It really only occurred once or twice in the story, but was alluded to a few more times.

I think Taylor did a good job of describing life in a small village. How most people know your business almost before you do. How there will be issues amongst the inhabitants, but they band together when needed and against "foes".

Normally, I love a series where I get to return to characters, or where the story centers around one or a few main characters, but extend to a few others throughout the series. However, that wasn't the case here.

I will give a few concessions as to why I might not have enjoyed the book as much. I started the book right before Christmas, so I might have been a smidge burnt out on holiday themes. Christmas is a busy time of year, so I might not have been able to apply myself as diligently to the book as it needed. Christmas is also a time when my house is noisier than usual (family and all), so I might not have been able to fully immerse myself into the story as I normally do.

However, I found that for the story just came across as a filler story. There really wasn't a "traditional" sense of a story (conclusive beginning and end). It came across more as a running journal of the lives of Barry and O'Reilly.

I can't really pin down what bothered me most of the story or why I couldn't "get into it", but that's how it was. I walked away dissatisfied and feeling as if something was lacking. (less)

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About Patrick Taylor

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Patrick Taylor, M.D., is the author of the Irish Country books, including An Irish Country Doctor, An Irish Country Village, An Irish Country Christmas, An Irish Country Girl, and An Irish Country Courtship. Taylor was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. After qualifying as a specialist in 1969, he worked in Canada for thirty-one...more

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