Irish Saints

Among Irish saints, Brendan the Navigator is second only to Patrick. Founder of several monasteries, he most famously guided a group of monks on a dangerous journey into the unknown vastness of the ocean on a search for Paradise. Based on the medieval "Life of St Brendan," Morgan Llywelyn's imaginative retelling of the Christian legend of this most remarkable man is a lyrical and surprising feast for the mind and heart. It is a story of truth and transcendence, and inner strength and daily discipline, a story of love and longing, and a story of towering faith. And of course, miracles.

When every choice he makes unleashes disaster, can a young man save his sister before he loses everything he loves? Ireland, 520. In a mystical realm where the veil between mortals and the Otherworld is thin, a young hero must navigate a treacherous journey to reclaim what he holds most dear. Conall, a courageous nineteen-year-old with a heart of gold, would defy fate itself to protect his beloved little sister. When he witnesses his wicked stepfather assaulting her, he unleashes a hidden power to enable their escape. But their flight into the untamed wilderness brings them face to face ...

Written for human younglings, this account of Brigid's travels in the fairy realms provides glimpses of the lives of fairies, elves, goblins, mermaids, and royal festivities, and also provides some idea of the flora and fauna of the realms just beyond the realm that earthling children are used to. In addition to being an exciting account of Brigid's journey to the realm of fairies, this book also contains riddles and a guide to ancient ogham writing. Saint Brigid, the main character in this story, was a real person who helped spread Christianity in Ireland at about the same time as Saint ...

Saints have over the years inspired many tales that go beyond what we know about them. These pious fictions are delightful and can even be instructive. For the lovely legends of the saints that have come down to us reflect not only the holiness but also the gaiety of the saints. These Irish legends are in that tradition. Patrick, Brigid, Columcille—“the three brightest jewels in Ireland’s crown”—are here, and Canice, Finbarr, Cormac, Finnian, Brendan, Gall, and others.

In 1979, 24-year-old Maura O'Halloran moved to Japan and became the first woman ever admitted to Toshoji Temple. Soshin-san (O'Halloran's monastic name) labored through three intense years of work and study in preparation for becoming a dharma teacher. Her life ended abruptly during a trip to Thailand, and today Soshin-san is revered as a Buddhist saint. The material in this program is from her private and heartfelt journals and letters.

Ashely Williams is down on her luck. Swimming in debt, her baby daddy won’t pay child support, and broke, her life wasn’t going anywhere. It wasn’t until she meets a sexy Irish man on Saint Patrick’s Day, when her life turns around. Luck of the Irish is a steamy interracial BWWM romance. This short story of 4,400 words is for mature readers only.

This collection of classic Irish wisdom—in the form of stories, prayers, and proverbs—reveals the creator in the natural world and highlights the importance of the Celtic spiritual heritage.

Sebastian Barry's writing career has been as long and varied as it has extraordinary. Intimate, revealing and generous of heart, these three lectures—written and delivered as part of his three-year tenure as the laureate for Irish fiction—reflect on his life and career so far, and some of the formative moments and people he's met along the way.