The Luck of the Irish: Our Life in County Clare

by Niall Williams, Christine Breen

In their fourth book, Williams and Breen, the authors of O Come Ye Back to Ireland, When Summer's in the Meadow, and The Pipes Are Calling chronicle their life and adventure in this beautiful country, where fewer and fewer Irish men and women are lucky enough to be able to live.

Genres: Ireland, Memoir, Nonfiction, Irish Literature, Travel, Biography, Biography Memoir

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Niall Williams studied English and French Literature at University College Dublin and graduated with a MA in Modern American Literature. He moved to New York in 1980 where he married Christine Breen. His first job in New York was opening boxes of books in Fox and Sutherland's Bookshop in Mount Kisco. He later worked as a copywriter for Avon Books in New York City before leaving America with Chris in 1985 to attempt to make a life as a writer in Ireland. They moved on April 1st to the cottage in west Clare that Chris's grandfather had left eighty years before to find his life in America.

His first four books were co-written with Chris and tell of their life together in Co Clare.

In 1991 Niall's first play THE MURPHY INITIATIVE was staged at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin. His second play, A LITTLE LIKE PARADISE was produced on the Peacock stage of The Abbey Theatre in 1995. His third play, THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT, was produced by Galway's Druid Theatre Company in 1999.

Niall's first novel was FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE. Published in 1997, it went on to become an international bestseller and has been published in over twenty countries. His second novel, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN was published in 1999 and short-listed for the Irish Times Literature Prize. Further novels include THE FALL OF LIGHT, ONLY SAY THE WORD, BOY IN THE WORLD and its sequel, BOY AND MAN.

In 2008 Bloomsbury published Niall's fictional account of the last year in the life of the apostle, JOHN.

His new novel, HISTORY OF THE RAIN, will be published by Bloomsbury in the UK/Ireland and in the USA Spring 2014. (Spanish and Turkish rights have also been sold.)

Niall has recently written several screenplays. Two have been optioned by film companies.

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

’We have come to realize that we must write about our life in order to continue living it.’

This is Niall Williams and Christine Breen’s fourth book in this series of memoirs they’ve written together about their life in Ireland. I’d hoped to read book three prior to reading this, but my copy still hasn’t arrived - yet.

In the last one I read, ’When Summer’s In the Meadow’ they adopted a baby girl, Deidre, and in this one they’ve also added another child to their family via adoption. A son, Joseph.

’...almost entirely hairless, a Buddha child raising his eyebrows, his main expression one of wonder in reaction to the world in which he had arrived…He was almost holy in his serenity in those first months.’

As their family expanded, so did their desires to make a better life for themselves there, a life honouring those who came before them to this home, this magical place.

’If the field had a memory, it could recall a time before the building of Tumper the Giant’s grave–the ring of stones and mound on the crest of the hill. It could remember the people who lived, before the Great Famine, in what became the stone ruins of hut dwellings, remember all the cattle and their drovers. And in that memory now, for the next several decades, would be an oak and ash forest, hares and foxes and birds and pheasants and stoats and badgers, a wild place of living things. As I stood there, as still as I could, but wavering now more than the trees, from whose single clusters of leafstems dripped the slow rain, a remarkable feeling of peace descended upon me.’

’The many old abandoned stone cottages that seem to guard the roads now are not just ghosts from another age, not only signs of decline of the rural population. They, too, are symbols of survival. Their stones, taken from the clay-heavy soil two hundred years ago, will remain after I have passed by for the last time. They will still be here–hard, strong, enduring, perhaps waiting for another person in two hundred more years’ time to touch them, to wonder, to rebuild.’

There is, of course, much more to this. The hardships, the ever-changing life over the years. His first play, written and performed. The friendships they have formed over the years, the kindnesses offered, the kindnesses received. It’s often a quiet life, but oh so fulfilling. And with young children, quiet is often a blessing - as long as it’s not too quiet. The struggles they endure over the years, but also the joys that are often a simple surprise of kindness from a neighbor, or a gift of Nature.

And aren’t those, after all, the best gifts to receive, and to be grateful for.

[Heather Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each book, Williams tries to show that their life in a small country cottage on a farm in West Ireland isn't as romantic as it may sound. The thing is, I understand what he's saying--yes, they struggle to make ends meet. Farming is often unrewarding, when their crops fail or are plagued by pests and disease. Their house has needed much restoration; they are far from civilization and every day is hard, tough work. I understand all this, and I still want it, so so much. How different is it from the life of an everyday woman in America? Most people live in small homes, have unrewarding and underpaying jobs, and work hard to keep afloat. The difference is, I'd much rather be struggling on Irish soil on an overgrown plot of land with a cottage falling apart, then stuck in an urban lifestyle in a city of crime.

The picture Williams paints of Ireland is vivid and endearing. Through his writing, and the intermittent journal entries from his wife Christine, I live vicariously through them. I can't count the many junctures at which tears have wrought my eyes because of his words. I'm terribly sad that this is the last book of his memoirs.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting glimpse into the life of the authors and their 2 children living in the a small ancestral stone cottage in the village of Kiltumper in County Clare in west Ireland. It is a life that many dream of as idyllic; however, Williams and Breen remind the reader that there is a reality of challenges in this economically depressed area. They press onward to adapt and give back to the community and cherish the sense of place and belonging that it provides for themselves, their children and their neighbors.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

How many people daydream of moving to the country, of a cute stone cottage, a little farm, a simpler, saner way of life? Niall Williams and Christine Breen moved to a small cottage in County Clare from New York City, planning to make a living from farming, writing, and painting. This is the fourth book about their life there, and it focuses more on the political and economic situation in the West of Ireland than their previous books, offering a wider context to the challenges and rewards of living in this small, closely knit rural community.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved all four memoirs to the moon and back and I appreciate the authors bringing us into their private life in Ireland. Ireland is my favorite place in the world and I hope to go back one day. These books helped me keep my visit fresh and alive. I was in Clare and wish I had known of Kiltumper before my visit! Absolutely love Niall and Christine's written words and artwork. I'm going to search for more on these wonderful, loving, hard working people. Such an inspiration.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In their fourth book, Williams and Breen, the authors of O Come Ye Back to Ireland, When Summer's in the Meadow, and The Pipes Are Calling chronicle their life and adventure in this beautiful country, where fewer and fewer Irish men and women are lucky enough to be able to live." Lack of jobs force many Irish to move away from Ireland. West Ireland is rural and quite different than Dublin.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was happy to read more about the lives of the Williams-Breen family now with two children. This book was more political than the others and less about their personal lives. Of the four memoirs I have read, this one was not my favorite but was still a lovely glimpse into another world and a loving community.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this one as much as the others. Now established in the community, this volume focused on the tourists to West Ireland, politics, and ways the changing world impacted this small part of the world.

[Fran Burdsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another installment in the saga of an Irish/American famiy and their life in County Clare. As Niall finds some success in his writing career, he also gains political and historical perspective as Ireland becomes an EU member. His family is growing and he finds peace in the countryside.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to read about the quiet and challenging existence of the Irish living in the west of Ireland. It’s a quieter life than the hustle bustle of the cities of Dublin, Galway and Cork. Full of challenges to survive, change and hang onto to peaceful parts of rural life.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED! I long for the "community" as well. Hardships and all....the West County Clare life sounds perfect to me.

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and surprising

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, makes me almost want to move to Ireland, I have always been somewhat intrigued in Ireland.

[Sheillagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of Niall Williams and his wife Christine Breen and the life they build together in Kilmihil, County Clare, Ireland. This book chronicles their life 10 years after they left their jobs in Manhattan to build a life in Ireland in the stone cottage that Christine's grandfather lived.
They've adopted 2 children: Deirdre and Joseph. This is the story of their daily lives: the challenges and joys of living a more authentic life than they had in Manhattan. The writing is beautiful and captures the day to day problems they face and relationships they form in this west of Ireland village.

[Betty Dunwoodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked it

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth book from Williams and Breen about life in western Ireland in the late 20th century, and it was a bit more meandering than the first three. The theme, trials and change -- or sometimes a lack thereof -- are clearly the inspiration for the vignettes that, strung together, leave a satisfying impression of the challenges of being Irish people stubbornly trying to continue to live in Ireland.

[Judee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read given to me by my cousin. This is a gentle book about living in the West of Ireland. I had thought it a romantic place before reading this but now I know differently. It may be a nice place to visit, but for me, it would not be a place to live, even in retirement.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loaned to me by Nana Waters. Cute series.

[Rebecca Mckenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love a book about Ireland. This one really captures what everyday life is like in rural west Ireland and makes me long for a return visit!

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the previous two novels, the same vibrant and occasionally humorous descriptions of rural Irish life.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read this while going through an "I wish I lived in the country" phase. I'm over it.

[Deb Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, easy read

[Kathy Kayser-konig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a year in the life of a family that lives to a small town in Ireland. The authors show the joys of small town living in Ireland without ignoring the downsides. They highlight how they need to string together enough jobs to support themselves recognizing that most young people, probably even their own children, will have to leave to make a living.