Vanishing Ireland Hardcover – September 18, 2006

It is a pleasure to write a review for Vanishing Ireland which I had only learned about by reading a review of the book in a magazine called Ireland of the Welcomes. I am 59 and do not like modern world with all its noise, commotion, rudeness, tailgating (traffic) and expenses. My soul and mind are somewhere else even though I go to work every day and do a decent job. This book will take you away from this fast moving, artificial world. You will feel relaxed just looking at the pictures with the good people that tell their stories. The layout of the book is excellent with its large size and brilliant color photos. The simplicity, decency, and honesty of these older Irish men and women will make you feel very happy. I look at the people and look at everything: their aging but happy faces, their simple kitchens, living rooms, wall hangings, cupboards, and outdoors. There will always be people like this despite the fact that Ireland is said to have changed very much, but at least this book will take you to them right now. You will feel like you are with them and this will be good for your soul, your peace of mind. I am happy I bought it...cannot get first book as it is in used books and quite expensive but this latest and new book is well worth the $35-$40 (a very good buy). I will always keep mine and give one for a Christmas present. If I make it to 80, I may well down a few pints when 80 as I see that one can be aged and still be able to enjoy the simple things. Too bad that so many cannot safely peddle their bikes to the pubs (because young people drive like maniacs).

Received my copy today, couldn't be more happy and proud to own such a beautiful book full of such gorgeous photography and details of many Irish folks and their disappearing world. The "cover girl" none other than Baby Bridget Rudden of Drumcor, Redhills of Cavan county, I to have a great great grandmother Bridget Rudden Reilly from the same Redhills (Brockley)and this of course caught my eye and I'm so glad I found this talented Irish historian/writer who has put out some pretty impressive books, many also featuring the stunning photography of James Fennell. History was always a favorite of mine and finding my Irish roots and getting a glimpse of what it was like and their old simpler ways is captivating and worth seeking out the whole set, so much detail and loving care has gone into this book, not just another coffee table book but a real life affirming treasure and my hats off to Turtle Bunbury for his vision, class and keeping the flame of the old ways alive in these stories in the Vanishing Ireland series.

The recipient received so many books that she said I could read this one first. I'm about 1/3 through it. It is heartwarming, sad, and life-affirming. The people interviewed are all over 60 years old (I think). Some were nearly 100. They describe life as it was. Interestingly, those who mentioned when and how life changed all said it was the coming of the tractor. This isn't a book for everyone; some would find it dull and pointless. But I am interested in people, how they live, what is important to them, and this book addresses all that and more.

A look back at traditional Ireland and her people who are being overtaken by the passage of time. Lovely book of photographs accompanied by short essays. Nice "coffee table" book for a family or person of Irish lineage.

I bought this book back when it first came out, and then recently bought another copy for an elderly relative who grew up in Ireland. She was delighted by the book. It's a great look at the ordinary Irish people, with a focus on those men and women of a certain age who have spent their lives in the liminal space between old Ireland and new.

Lover very page of this book. Took my time and savored each picture, each Ord. Made me homesick for Ireland, even though I was not born there. My mother's people were from there and I have been there a few times but this book let's you see the older way of life and people in Ireland. I loved it.

This beautiful book is really a labor of love. Each brief vignette is movingly written. What a touching picture of what Ireland was just two or three generations ago. A wonderful coffee table book for anyone who has traveled in Ireland, or has a love of Celtic history.

Fantastic book, I've ordered the others in this group. Beautiful photographic portraits and stories. I was so happy to find these!

I saw this book advertised while on holiday in Ireland, couldn't find a copy over there but got this one through Amazon. Brilliant book, every person in the book has a great story to tell, and unbeknown to us inside were two Nuns from Athy who taught my dear wife at the convent boarding school she attended. We were having lunch with them a week before we discovered they were in the book, what a small amazing world.

I purchased this book for my father after the death of his mother (at the age of 99 years old) who was from Co Donegal.It has brought back so many memories for him and surprisingly myself too! This is a wonderful book, so much so that my father is now pestering me to purchasing the next books in this series, which I will be more than happy to do .......

This is a very moving book and gathers together stories about Irish people that is the older generation of Irish people and as such captures a glimpse of Irish society and culture as it once was. Words can not express the sentimental warmth one feels when reading each and every story.

Beautiful book with amazing photos and stories from a generation that will soon be lost .

I have all of James Fennell's books on Ireland with photos of its people. Listening to their stories is like opening a living history book. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad and heartbreaking.