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Foster's Historical Irish Oddities
Strange, zany and at times downright baffling, Foster’s Historical Irish Oddities is a quirky compendium of true stories from all over Ireland. It is essential reading for anyone who loves to entertain friends and family with a good yarn or who needs further proof that Ireland is indeed a country with a unique cast of characters. From the Lismore man who rode to Fermoy in a tub pulled by a pig, a badger, two cats, a goose and a hedgehog to the tornado that ripped through Limerick in 1851, Foster’s stories may not be found in the history books but they certainly provide an entertaining and addictive read!
Did you know?
• 97-year-old Bagnel Bentley from Dunshaughlin, County Meath married 99-year-old Catherine Sheppard from Skreen in November 1764. The bride had had three husbands before Bentley, the last of whom had died in July 1764 aged 104.
• In 1763, a Dublin man savagely beat his wife with a cabbage stalk during an argument. Enraged by her treatment, the woman assembled some of her female friends and they attacked the man with cabbage stalks in revenge. The husband was so severely injured he died the next day.
• Patrick O’Neill of Clonmel, County Tipperary was married –for the seventh time! –at the age of 112 in September 1760. A vegetarian and teetotaller, O’Neill walked to the church without the aid of a stick.
• In 1935 all the members of a Gaelic football team formed in Porthall, Lifford, County Donegal were called Crawford, and were all related. In one of their games a Crawford was a referee and a Crawford was a linesman.
• Irish-born Hannah Witney served over five years as a marine on board different ships disguised as a man. She only revealed her gender in October 1761, when she was picked up by a pressgang in Plymouth. She was set free immediately after disclosing her secret.
Praise for Foster’s Historical Irish Oddities
‘These are some of the oddest true Irish tales you’ll ever read’
Aoife Barry www.thejournal.ie
‘Incredible…stranger than fiction’
Aoife Finneran, The Sun
‘Some of the strangest Irish tales ever recorded’
www.IrishCentral.com
Did you know?
• 97-year-old Bagnel Bentley from Dunshaughlin, County Meath married 99-year-old Catherine Sheppard from Skreen in November 1764. The bride had had three husbands before Bentley, the last of whom had died in July 1764 aged 104.
• In 1763, a Dublin man savagely beat his wife with a cabbage stalk during an argument. Enraged by her treatment, the woman assembled some of her female friends and they attacked the man with cabbage stalks in revenge. The husband was so severely injured he died the next day.
• Patrick O’Neill of Clonmel, County Tipperary was married –for the seventh time! –at the age of 112 in September 1760. A vegetarian and teetotaller, O’Neill walked to the church without the aid of a stick.
• In 1935 all the members of a Gaelic football team formed in Porthall, Lifford, County Donegal were called Crawford, and were all related. In one of their games a Crawford was a referee and a Crawford was a linesman.
• Irish-born Hannah Witney served over five years as a marine on board different ships disguised as a man. She only revealed her gender in October 1761, when she was picked up by a pressgang in Plymouth. She was set free immediately after disclosing her secret.
Praise for Foster’s Historical Irish Oddities
‘These are some of the oddest true Irish tales you’ll ever read’
Aoife Barry www.thejournal.ie
‘Incredible…stranger than fiction’
Aoife Finneran, The Sun
‘Some of the strangest Irish tales ever recorded’
www.IrishCentral.com
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2015
14 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 11, 2021
This book was full of short weird stories that either took place in Ireland or involved Irish people – sometimes very loosely. Some of the stories were short, ranging only a paragraph, while others took up a few pages, but they were interesting. Most were really funny, and I laughed out loud during a handful. If you’re looking for something to read in short breaks, this is a really good choice!
November 19, 2020
Great little book or very short snippets of Irish history and humor.
February 2, 2021
Fascinating, Historical, Entertaining.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it gives you a taste for the history that you aren't taught in school. I found the stories interesting and amusing which made the book very quick and easy to read. This is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys history or likes to read about quirky stories about Ireland or Irish people abroad. The only thing I would have preferred is that some of the references would be included to show where the true was based on or came from. Overall it was a very entertaining and fun read. You really got to experience what life was like in Ireland or abroad for Irish people at the time each story was written.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it gives you a taste for the history that you aren't taught in school. I found the stories interesting and amusing which made the book very quick and easy to read. This is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys history or likes to read about quirky stories about Ireland or Irish people abroad. The only thing I would have preferred is that some of the references would be included to show where the true was based on or came from. Overall it was a very entertaining and fun read. You really got to experience what life was like in Ireland or abroad for Irish people at the time each story was written.
March 31, 2016
Anecdotal and humorous.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews