O'Brien Press

Do you know your Doss Artists from your Doxies? Want to give someone a piece of your mind with a wicked insult like, You're as useful as an ashtray in a force-10 gale? Find all that and more in this riotous, fascinating guide to Irish culture. It includes: Twenty-five of the most popular Irish surnames: where they originated, what they mean, and all that oul' blarney. Enough Irish slang to pepper your conversations with and impress your friends. Tried and tested Irish insults that are as wicked as they are craic. A gansey-load of fascinating facts and interestingIrish trivia There is even a chapter filled with age-old Irish proverbs that will ensure you'll never be short of a few wise words. Get reading or you'll be in rag order!

Beautifully-illustrated collection of favourite nursery rhymes from one of Britain's greatest illustrators. First published in 1941, this lovingly-crafted edition is a must have for children everywhere.

Dedicated to the most inspirational of subjects, this memorable collection of poetry is sure to be the perfect companion to those in love. With timeless works from some of the most noted poets of all time, this collection has the perfect balance of classic and modern styles.

Fifteen-year-old Samuel Scott died while building the Titanic. As the ship sails to her doom, his ghost moves restlessly alongside the passengers and crew: Frederick Fleet: the young look-out who spotted the iceberg and who survived in a life-boat with (the unsinkable) Molly Brown; Howard Hartley Wallace: the heroic band-leader who played ragtime music as the freezing waters lapped at his feet; Harold Bride: the junior radio operator whose messages echoed on, long after the ship had disappeared to its icy grave!

Tweet Treats is a recipe book with a difference — all recipes fit into one 'tweet' of up of 140 characters! Conceived on Twitter, the book is a collaborative project, containing recipes tweeted by people from all over the world, including many celebrities — authors, journalists, musicians & TV personalities. Packed with tasty, quick recipes that actually work Tweet Treats is ideal for food lovers who are short on time: it's the perfect book for the modern cook! All royalties to Medecins sans Frontieres, a global charity which can be compared to Twitter in the immediacy of its response.

I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams! Some of the most famous lines in Irish poetry come from the pen of William Butler Yeats, poet, patriot, dramatist and senator. This illustrated collection of forty of his best-loved works, on love, politics, old age, myth and legend includes people, places and events that were important to him.

Things haven't been easy for Jessie since her brother James — sports star and popular kid — died. Her mum and dad are lost in grief and she's feeling isolated at school; when the popular girls on her dance team give her a hard time, she just can't seem to remember the routines and Jessie can still see James. Talk to him, or quarrel with him, more like! They always bickered when James was alive, so why change now? But James might turn out to be her unlikely saviour. Along with Alan, the dorky new boy, can he give Jessie the confidence to show the rest of the dance team what she's got and help her and her parents on the road towards healing? Funny, sharp and poignant, it is a story about living with a ghost, and the pain of letting go.

This is an atmospheric collection of over 200 wonderful photographs showing the beauty and diversity of Ireland's landscape. It includes: Glendalough; the Giant's Causeway; the Burren; the Skelligs; Mizen Head; Lough Derg; Rock of Cashel; Glen of Aherlow; Clew Bay; Killary Harbour; the Slieve Bloom Mountains; and, many more.

Front Cover Quote: 'This is marvellous, vivid writing, and storytelling at its absolute best. It reminded me of the first time I read Philip Pullman. I was utterly engrossed' — Roddy Doyle on «The Poison Throne». Back Cover: '... all the ingredients of an international bestseller. The writing is extraordinary' — Sarah Webb, «Irish Independent». 'Atmospheric, complex, and intense this epic starts strong and doesn't falter one iota, ending with a cliffhanger that will leave readers demanding more' — «Publisher's Weekly». Blurb: Shoutline: United Friends. A Divided Kingdom. Who will prevail? After a joyful reunion, it seems that the years of war have left their scars on brothers Alberon and Razi, and it is not long before their differences come between them. Alberon is determined to protect the Kingdom by strength rather than diplomacy. He proudly reveals his great hope — Lorcan Moorehawke's 'Bloody Machine'. But Razi fears the Machine will rot the Kingdom's soul and undo all the good that their father has achieved in his short reign. Despite her qualms about Alberon's choice of allies, Wynter finds herself siding with him against her friends. But when the last envoys to Alberon's camp turn out to be the Loups-Garous, Wynter's loyalty to the Kingdom and its future are stretched to their limit. How can she stand by as Alberon negotiates with the tribe that blighted Christopher's life? Who will survive the final battle?

'The scream was awful — a horrible desolate cry... the child led my unresisting brother up the path and further into the tangled garden. Out of my sight'. My name is Patrick Finnerty. I am fifteen and I'm losing my brother. A ghost is stealing him away. I know how crazy that sounds. But my brother, my twin, is going to die; I'm watching him die. No one else can see what's happening. What can I do? The answers seem to lie within the memory of a dream — between this world and the next. Within The Grey. But I don't want to go into The Grey. I don't want to. I've seen what it's like!

Irish wit is an art form, centuries old yet up-to-the-minute wise, insulting, obscure, profound and idiotic. For years the Irish have mixed wit with wisdom, as they have porter and whiskey, and to the same intoxicating effect! In this book, Sean McCann has succeeded in distilling the essence of Irish wit — on love, religion, the 'hard stuff', the English, with a generous mix from Behan, Yeats, Swift, Moore, O'Casey, but above all from 'yer man', the leading authority on everything that grows, breeds, thinks or computes in the land. It is spiced with Tom Matthews cartoons.

This work is this year's most exciting crossover title. A Friend. A Father. A Kingdom. Which one would you sacrifice? This compelling trilogy of court intrigue, adventure and romance is a winning combination of imagination, powerful storytelling and magnificent characters. Fifteen-year-old Wynter Moorehawke returns home after a five-year sojourn in the bleak Northlands. All has changed in her absence. Wynter is forced to make a terrible choice: stay and bow to the King's will, or abandon her ailing father and join her friend Razi and the mysterious Christopher Garron in their efforts to restore the fragile kingdom to its former stability. But this changed kingdom is a dangerous place, where all resistance is brutally suppressed and the trio constantly risk assassination, torture or imprisonment. Atmospheric and intriguing, evokes an enchanting and convincing other world — love, treachery, jealousy, tenderness, war, wisdom and court life are all vividly depicted. Set in a fantastical medieval Europe, «The Poison Throne» is a gothic tale of intrigue, adventure and romance which draws the reader in from the very first sentence and doesn't loosen its grip until the last.

We are going on a long mysterious journey to find out what we can about the Island of Ireland! «The Story of Ireland» begins 'After the Ice' and lasts 9000 years. It tells the story of the whole island and its people. The book's 27 chapters chronicle the big picture of invasions, wars, Christianity, famine and a divided island, mixed with tales of Celtic head hunters, mysterious stone tombs, the Vikings, the black death, life in castles, the Titanic tragedy, music, mobiles and computers. When it ends a new story is just beginning. New pocket-sized hardback edition of the award-winning, must-have book at a great price. This title is included in the «White Ravens 2008» collection and winner of the Irish Children's Book of the Year (Irish Book Awards) 2008.

The Irish mix wit and wisdom the way they do whiskey and water, and to the same intoxicating effect. Irish wit is an art form that can be sage, silly, insulting, or profound, but it's always entertaining. «The Wee Book of Irish Wit & Malarkey» is a pint-sized draft of potent mirth and malarkey from Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Brendan Behan, and many other wags, including 'yer man' — your everyday son of the sod — on everything from love and marriage to death and dying and everything in between.

New Friends. Old Enemies. Who can you trust? Wynter Moorehawke travels alone and unprotected in bandit-infested forests, searching for the rebel Prince Alberon. But many enemies are lurking in the shadows. It seems that every tyrant and zealot who has ever threatened the Kingdom is sending emissaries to meet Alberon. Wynter becomes increasingly nervous of the prince's intentions. She is overjoyed when Razi and Christopher re-appear, but where old friends go, old enemies soon follow and Wynter finds herself confronted with the infamous Wolves — the Loups-Garous. It is to Christopher's adopted people, the Merron, that Wynter and Razi must now turn for sanctuary. But the Merron have sided with their mortal enemy, Marguerite Shirken. What is behind these strange alliances and is Alberon at the centre of it all?

This 250-year old story will fascinate lovers of Guinness beer and memorabilia as well as those interested in this remarkable family of brewers and the industrial history of Ireland's most famous export. Over 100 fascinating photographs bring to life the pivotal role that the Guinness brewery has played in Ireland for over two centuries: the early days of the brewery; the Guinness dynasty; the brewing process; the unique industrial complex at St James' Gate; day-to-day life behind the gates; the hugely successful export operation; and key moments in the history of the brewery. By the twentieth century St James' Gate was the largest brewery in the world, and Guinness had become forever synonymous with Ireland.

Hide and Speak goes further than most picture word books. It offers an effective and simple way to learn over 130 key Irish words following the tried-and-tested method of 'look, cover and speak'. Using the two wipe-clean flaps at the back of the book to cover the words or the pictures, you can practise speaking or writing the words as many times as you want. The book is organized into 15 popular themes including farm, school, family, colours and food. It is an enjoyable and practical way to learn the first essential words in Irish! It is an enjoyable and practical way to learn the first essential words in Irish!

History, myth and legend collide in this full-colour illustrated storybook of the animated feature Brendan and the Secret of Kells. Twelve-year-old Brendan's life in the monastery at Kells is not very exciting until Aidan arrives. Suddenly life is one big adventure. In the forest Brendan is rescued from wolves by Aisling, a mysterious green-eyed girl. In the cave of the Dark One, he risks his life to steal the eye of the serpent god, Crom Cruach. Meanwhile Aidan is keeping a secret that will become Brendan's biggest challenge, and the Vikings get nearer and nearer... This exciting story is brought to life through stunning visuals and includes a section of facts about the real Book of Kells.

Dara is not happy. Mum and Dad must go away for two whole days. Dara wants to go too. Poor Dara! But Uncle Joe has a big surprise! Expertly designed specifically for very young children, perfect as a lead-up to the Panda series.

On the farm, some very strange noises are keeping the farmer awake. The ducks are having fun singing and banging 'instruments' — what a racket! But their noise is keeping someone else awake too, wily Mr Fox. There's trouble on the way... Panda number 20.

At last here comes a definitive, entertaining and easy to use Irish cookbook bursting with the colours and flavours of Irish food. With chapters on breads & baking, breakfasts, soups, starters, mains, desserts & drinks, this book also includes festive dishes and fascinating details of Irish food traditions and folklore. Written by Biddy White Lennon, this book focuses on the simple, easy to find ingredients which are at the heart of Irish cooking. This comprehensive cookbook is fully illustrated with new colour photographs and written in an easy accessible style with step-by-step instructions.

Now available in paperback for the first time — this spectacular and highly acclaimed collection of specially commissioned new poems for children is already an established bestseller. Featuring work by 103 leading Irish poets and stunning illustrations, this magnificent anthology is a book for the entire family to treasure. It includes poems from: Seamus Heaney, Thomas Kinsella, Maighread Medbh, Paula Meehan, Brendan Kennelly, Michael Longley, Rita Ann Higgins, Matthew Sweeney, Biddy Jenkinson, Desmond O'Grady, Richard Murphy, Nuala ni Dhomhnaill, Celia de Freine, Cathal O Searcaigh, Frank McGuinness, Julie O'Callaghan, Tom McIntyre, Paul Muldoon, Dermot Bolger, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, Frank Ormsby, Siobhan Campbell, Dennis O'Driscoll, John Montague, Moya Cannon, Peter Fallon, Mary O'Malley, Micheal O'Siadhail, and John F Deane. It is published by the O'Brien Press in association with Poetry Ireland and is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Poor Hal. He wants to go to the sleepover party. But he's too small. What can he do? Granny has the answer! A simple story for beginner readers or students just starting to learn English, perfect as a lead-up to the Panda series.

Molly cannot sleep. It is too dark and too quiet. And there are monsters! What can Nanna and Grandad do? Expertly designed specifically for very young children, this book is perfect as a lead-up to the Panda series.