Following the spirit of the world's longest coastal driving route, Paul Clements sets out to discover the real west of Ireland. Along the way he encounters memorable characters living on the Atlantic edge and presents a unique portrait of their lives. We meet the last man standing on a remote Galway island, listen to the banter at Puck Fair, and hear from a descendant of the original sixteenth-century wild Atlantic woman. Tagging along on his meandering journey is the swashbuckling presence of the Celtic sea god, Manannan Mac Lir. For his first travel book in 1991, Paul hitchhiked the same route. Now retracing his steps along the Wild Atlantic Way - this time by car and bike, on horseback and on foot - he looks at how Ireland has changed and realises everyone still has a story to tell. Laced with wry humour and endless curiosity, this is a distinctive mix of travel writing, social history and nature. Also by this author: `The Height of Nonsense: The Ultimate Irish Road Trip' Praise for this author: "Stacks of free copies should be sent to all our tourist desks abroad." - The Irish Times. "For sheer pleasure, nothing I read beat Paul Clements' `The Height of Nonsense'." - The Observer. "A compulsive, educational, laugh-out-loud read." - Sunday Independent. "A fascinating journey around the hidden corners of Ireland." - BBC Radio

About the Author

Paul Clements is a journalist, broadcaster and writer. He is the author of a trilogy of travel books about Ireland: Burren Country (2011), The Height of Nonsense (2005) and Irish Shores (1993). Originally from County Tyrone, he lives in Belfast and spends part of each year in the west of Ireland researching, writing, walking, and seeking inspiration. A former BBC journalist, he now contributes to newspapers, magazines and to travel guides to Ireland He is a Fellow of Green-Templeton College, Oxford.

Reviews

'A very enjoyable book, filled with educational, uplifting and side-splitting stories, an engaging mix of travel, nature and social commentary.'

-- Damien Enright * Irish Examiner *

'Clements is an affable, thoughtful guide, always alert to the small, telling detail.'

* Irish Independent *

'Utterly entertaining from beginning to end.'

* Irish Examiner *

'Engrossing portrait of western Ireland.'

* Irish Mountain Log *

'A good production, well designed in which the author discovers the west of Ireland, this book will appeal to a general readership.'

* Books Ireland *

'The author has discovered that the Wild Atlantic Way has revitalised the west and led to a newfound energy.'

* Connacht Tribune *

'Clements is an authority on the popular tourist route that has become the Wild Atlantic Way.'

* Fermanagh Herald *

'A wonderful book with inspiring insights.'

* IrelandWays.Com *

'The Wild Atlantic Way is far more than a tourist trail and this book charts Clements' return journey along it.'

* Pol O Conghaile, Irish Independent *

'A must-read book in which Clements experiences both the mythic and the human.'

* Culture Northern Ireland *

'An epic journey full of thoughtful observations and showing a zest for people.'

* Tyrone Herald *

'A distinctive mix of travel writing, social history and nature.'

* Clare Champion *

'Very visual writing that delves into the facts and fantasies of the west of Ireland.'

* Irish News *

'Nature's sights and aromas are all around him while the thundering wild Atlantic plays its own soundtrack.'

* Leitrim Observer *

'A well paced and illuminating book full of quirky stories.'

* Sligo Weekender *

'An insight into a changing world where wit, humour and small-town Ireland anecdotes are as warm and as endearing as ever.'

* The Kerryman *

'With his seamless word-tapestry, Clements has written a vibrant and honest word-picture of the rolling, rocky, craggy and compelling Wild Atlantic Way.'

* Mayo News *

'A delightfully varied book on the changing face of Ireland.'

* Niall Delaney, Ocean FM *

'An informative, colourful and engaging book.'

* Shaun Doherty, Highland Radio *

'Laced with wry humour and endless curiosity.'

* Donegal News *

'A brilliant read.'

* Stephen McCauley, Radio Ulster book club *

'Three hundred and forty fascinating pages and a beautiful storied book that touches the hearts and souls of the communities.'

* Weeshie Fogarty, Radio Kerry *

'A fascinating coastal journey that starts and continues in an unhurried way. Clements discovers the marvellous in the ordinary.'

* BBC Radio *

'Superb idea.'

-- Sean Moncrieff * Newstalk *



Book Information
ISBN 9781848892606
Author Paul Clements
Format Paperback
Page Count 343
Imprint The Collins Press
Publisher Gill
Weight(grams) 369g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 21mm