Search results for ""O'Brien Press Ltd""

One man's story of life in The Joy -- compulsive, chilling and frank. A no-holds-barred account of a criminal's time in the notorious Dublin prison, as revealed to journalist Paul Howard. This extraordinary life story tells it all. The desperate lifestyle of a junkie; bullying and savage beatings among the prisoners; ingenious drug-smuggling ploys; the despairing cry for help of a failed suicide attempt. But alongside the pain there is humour -- from the hilarity of World Cup celebrations to the distraction of a beautiful aerobics teacher, from bingeing on altar wine to the shortest-ever "hunger strike". The first ever glimpse of Mountjoy Prison -- from the inside. Illustrated with black & white photographs. With a new introduction by the author.

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Life in New York is exciting for newly settled Sally and her sister Bridget. When the girls discover an old photograph they are determined to find Miss Cameron's lost love, and maybe help their sick friend Betty too. Can everyone's stories have a happy ending?

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We Irish have enriched the English language with a slew of snazzy gems. Did you know we're the ones behind quarks, electrons and vectors, Sudocrem and Wellington boots? No surprise that we invented begrudgery, but croquet and Wunderkindwere us too! So if some yahoo is getting on your nerves, don't box him in the gob hit him with Irishisms galore, and you'll soon put the kibosh on his shaninagans. Y'dig?Written and illustrated by Colin Murphy and Donal O'Dea, the craggy old blokes behind the bestselling Feckin' Collection and Stuff Irish People Love.

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Born to a small fishing community on the Shannon, Patsy Peril grew up with a traditional gandelow boat. Ardnacrusha, the enormous hydro-electric station, threatens the river's wildlife. It is Patsy's mission to save the Shannon's wild salmon.

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Grandad and Lenny are trying to paint the living-room. But Grandad’s paint is very old and it’s gone quite strange. It has stripes and patterns in it….. At first it seems like fun to make pictures with this weird paint. Lenny calls his picture ‘Fang’ because it looks like a creature, and Grandad calls his ‘Mildred’. Lenny and Grandad decide to hang their pictures on the wall and go in search of frames. But when they return the pictures have disappeared. It looks like they’ve been stolen, but then they realise something else has happened.... That’s when things start to go terribly, terribly wrong…

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Uncovering secrets is like undoing braids, one at a timeAbidemi can't wait for summer. She's ready to spend some time learning new hairstyles and see where things go with her friend Jack. But when she meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, secrets start to unravel

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From Malin Head to Killybegs, from Ardara to Arranmore, join photographer Kate Slevin on a journey around Ireland's most spectacular county.

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Winter is coming, and all the geese are flying to their new home in Ireland. But Little Goose gets blown down, down, down by a sudden gust. Can Finn and his mum help her find her way home?

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Which are the biggest and smallest animals? Which are the most dangerous? Why do dogs love people so much? What animals can live in the heat of the desert, or deep below the oceans? Sarah Webb is animal crazy and has put the answers to all these questions and more in Animal Crackers, a book bursting with information about animals of all types! Crammed full of pictures, cartoons and more from Alan Nolan this is the perfect book for children who want to know more about our furry, feathered (and scaly!) friends. With a special section on Irish wildlife, and the 'Irish Animal Detective' activities, children will want to explore their gardens, parks and beaches to seek out all kinds of native animals. Animal Crackers also provides fun facts and engaging activities that kids will love - from how to draw your favourite animals to suggestions on how you can help save the planet!

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Karl and Rosa's family watch in horror as Hitler's troops parade down the streets of their home city -- Vienna. It has become very dangerous to be a Jew in Austria, and after their uncle is sent to Dachau, Karl and Rosa's parents decide to send the children out of the country on a Kindertransport, one of the many ships carrying refugee children away from Nazi danger. Isolated and homesick, Karl ends up in Millisle, a run-down farm in Ards in Northern Ireland, which has become a Jewish refugee centre, while Rosa is fostered by a local family. Hard work on the farm keeps Karl occupied, although he still waits desperately for any news from home. Then he makes friends with locals Peewee and Wee Billy, and also with the girls from neutral Dublin who come to help on the farm, especially Judy. But Northern Ireland is in the war too, with rationing and air-raid warnings, and, in April 1941 the bombs of the Belfast Blitz bring the reality of war right to their doorstep. And for Karl and Rosa and the other refugees there is the constant fear that they may never see their parents again. Based on a true story -- there was a refugee farm at Millisle and among its occupants was a young boy called Karl.

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Katie and Ted get into serious trouble while Mum is out â but Tuffy the dog saves the day. Flyer 2

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A fascinating glimpse into the mind of Napoleon in exile – his opinions on love and war, his reflections on the most important events of his life – by one of his closest confidantes In 1815, the young Dublin doctor Barry O’Meara accepted the opportunity of a lifetime to look after Napoleon Bonaparte in his banishment on St Helena. In one of the most isolated places on earth, doctor and patient became intimate friends. The core of Napoleon’s Doctor is the diary O’Meara kept, at Napoleon’s suggestion, while on St Helena. He records in lively detail many hours of Napoleon’s conversation, ranging from his views on class, religion and slavery to his love for Josephine and why Waterloo was lost. Napoleon was only fifty-one when he died on St Helena. This book ends with a detailed solution to a mystery that has plagued historians: was he poisoned by his British jailers?

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Alice Taylor remembers her childhood home – the farm with all its tools and animals, the home with its equipment for living, its daily challenges, constant hard work, and its comforts too. She describes the huge open fireplace where all the cooking was done, where the big black kettle hung permanently from the crane over the flames; here the family sat in the evenings, talking, knitting, going over the events of the day, saying the rosary. She experienced the sow being brought indoors to have her precious brood of bonhams. She recalls the faithful, beloved horses and their wonderfully varied outfits – one set of tackle for each job they did on the farm; the ritual of lighting the oil lamps – from the fancy one in the parlour to the tiny one under the Sacred Heart picture; the excitement of threshing day and the satisfaction of a good harvest – the stations, the neighbours, and later the local dancehall and cinema. All the jobs and tools of a way of life long gone live on in the hearts of those who were formed by it. Here Alice Taylor celebrates them all with love. 'magical … reading the book, I felt a faint ache in my heart … I find myself longing for those days … it is essential reading.' Irish Independent

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All the foxes who lived in Glensinna knew about Sionnach, the Great White Fox. But they had never seen him. Some thought that on one occasion they might have, but it was only a fleeting thought and one that had passed like the melting snow. When they were cubs their mother had told them the story as she whiled away the time in the darkness of their earth... After almost a decade and a half, award-winning author Tom McCaughren returns with a new installment in his bestselling series!

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‘We walk in the footprints of great women, women who lived through hard times on farms, in villages, towns and cities. The lives of these women are an untold story. This book is a celebration of the often forgotten “ordinary” women who gave so much to our society.’ Alice Taylor Alice salutes the women whose energy and generosity made such a valuable contribution to all our lives. '[It] warmed my heart and reminded me of the value of family, friendship and community... I was enthralled... wonderful.' Irish Independent on And Time Stood Still

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Tom Connolly joined An Garda Síochána in 1955, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. His early days on the force were spent in various villages and towns around Ireland, tracking petty thieves, raiding pubs and patrolling country roads on his bicycle. Back then, before the dawn of DNA profiling, policemen relied on local knowledge and intuition – as well as careful evidence-gathering and interrogation techniques – to make their cases. Over his forty-year career, Connolly rose to the rank of Detective Superintendent, working on high-profile thefts, assaults and murders with the National Technical Bureau. This fascinating memoir offers an insight into the day-to-day work of the gardaí, and celebrates the courage and dedication of all those who risk their lives to keep us safe.

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When teenager Ciara Farrelly visits her dead grandfather's Ontario home she uncovers a secret from his childhood. Back in 1928, twelve-year-old Mike Farrelly made friends with Wilson, a lonely, rich boy whose family had emigrated from Ireland, and Lucy, a feisty Ojibwe girl from a local reservation. The three spent the bright, warm summer holidays having adventures together. But then a murder was committed, and Mike, Wilson and Lucy found themselves in danger. Suddenly, they had to trust each other, not only with their secrets, but with their lives… Follow their story with Ciara as she traces its echo down the years – and find out what really happened one summer, long ago.

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A first-hand account of the 1916 Rising and its aftermath brings alive the historic events that ushered in the beginnings of an independent Irish state. A Londoner and a member of the Irish Volunteers, Joe Good guarded the approach across O'Connell Bridge as the rebels took the centre of Dublin. He joined the garrison in the GPO, and describes at first hand the events of insurrection: the confusion, the heroism, and the tragedy of Easter Week. After the Rising, Joe Good worked as an organiser for the Volunteers. He was a close associate of Michael Collins and his portrait of Collins provides fresh insight into his character, his competitiveness, and how he related to his men. In 1918 Good was one of a handpicked team sent to London to assassinate members of the British cabinet, and here he gives the first full account to be published of this extraordinary expedition. Joe Good, born in London in 1895, died in Dublin in 1962. He wrote his journal in 1946 for his son Maurice, who has now edited it for publication.

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Welcome to The Other Side ... Chasing a thief, Izzy Gregory takes a wrong turn down a Dublin alley and finds the ashes of a fallen angel splashed across the dirty bricks like graffiti. She stumbles into Dubh Linn, the shadowy world inhabited by the Sidhe, where angels and demons watch over the affairs of mortals, and Izzy becomes a pawn in their deadly game. Her only chance of survival lies in the hands of Jinx, the Sidhe warrior sent to capture her for his sadistic mistress, Holly. Izzy is something altogether new to him, turning his world upside down. A thrilling, thought-provoking journey to the magic that lies just beside reality.

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Shortlisted for the Bookseller YA Prize 2015! Jo could never have guessed that the friendship she so desperately craves would come in the shape of a severely disabled boy. He can’t even speak. Maybe it is because he can’t speak that she finds herself telling him how difficult it is living with her eccentric, mentally fragile mother. Behind Chris’ lopsided grin and gigantic blue wheelchair is a real person — with a sense of humour, a tremendous stubborn streak and a secret he has kept from everyone. For a while it seems life may actually get better. But as Jo finds out just how terrible life is for Chris, and as her own life spirals out of control, she becomes desperate to change things for both of them. In a dramatic turn of events, Jo makes a decision that could end in tragedy. This is the story of how an unusual friendship unlocks the words that neither knew they had.

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The most famous Irish legend of all in an exciting and easily understood version. Read about the feats of the famous warrior Cuchulainn who singlehandedly defends Ulster against the army of Queen Maeve. War, peace, love, greed, fate are the stuff of an epic, and in The Táin they are present in full. Illustrated throughout by Donald Teskey.

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Ross Bentley is a skateboarding slacker, who has hardly any real friends, communicates with his father by grunting and hates his job in the local supermarket. Ross also has the gift of telekinesis but has always kept it hidden, even from those closest to him. That all changes when he learns of The Million Dollar Gift, a contest in which the organisers have challenged anyone to prove they have a superhuman skill. Any applicant who is successful will receive one million dollars prize money. Ross can't let this opportunity go by and enters the contest. He stuns the organisers by passing every test and wins the prize money. All does not go according to plan though; Ross's identity was supposed to be kept secret but when his test videos are leaked onto the internet he becomes a sensation. Within twenty four hours the entire world knows his name and what he can do. But fame is not all he has to deal with. He has attracted the attentions of others who have the gift, and not all of them are happy about his arrival on the scene.

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Major John MacBride, who was Born in Westport, County Mayo in 1868, was a household name in Ireland when many of the leaders of the Easter Rising were still relatively unknown figures. As part of the ‘Irish Brigade’, a band of nationalists fighting against the British in the Second Boer War, MacBride’s name featured in stories in the Freeman’s Journal and Arthur Griffith’s United Irishman. The Major went on to travel across the United States, lecturing audiences on the blow struck against the British Empire in South Africa. His marriage to Maud Gonne, described as ‘Ireland’s Joan of Arc’, led to further notoriety. Their subsequent bitter separation involved some of the most senior figures in Irish nationalism. MacBride was dismissed by William Butler Yeats as a ‘drunken, vainglorious lout; Donal Fallon attempts to unravel the complexities of the man and his life and what led him to fight in Jacob’s factory in 1916. John MacBride was executed in Kilmainham Gaol on 5 May 1916, two days before his forty-eighth birthday.

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‘Cat didn’t notice a shadow slinking into the room and leaning in closer … as if it were listening.’ When Cat finds out that her cool new neighbour, Dr Becca Ryan, is a witch, she’s fascinated. Cat already loves magic – she has The Sight – and she’s sure she can learn loads from Becca. But Cat has other things on her mind – her mum has a boyfriend and Cat’s not happy. When she turns to Becca for advice, she gets more than she bargained for. Cat and her friend Shane are sent off on a perilous quest for an ancient harp that, when played, can influence the thoughts of anyone who hears it – and it seems like Cat will go to any lengths to find it … As they face shape-shifting wolves, demons and magic on the island of Hy-Brasil, Cat and Shane learn many things about themselves – and prepare to battle an ancient and terrifying power …

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A decade of rapid change caught by two of Ireland’s premier photographers, The Lensmen. Covers everything from the visits of President Kennedy and The Beatles, to lifestyle, fashion and sport as well as the start of unrest in Northern Ireland. Will evoke memories of a bygone age.

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In Tea for One, Alice Taylor celebrates the little moments that bring us joy After many busy years raising a family and running a business, Alice is now living alone – with all the challenges and pleasures that brings. From improving her painting to perfecting her garden, exploring family histories and reclaiming her mother’s art of tea-making, Alice celebrates the small acts that fill her days and make her happy.

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EAGRÁN ÚRNUA DE SHÁRLEABHAR GLEOITE Níl an t-uan beag dubh cinnte faoin dath difriúil atá air. Ach lá garbh amháin tugann sé tarrtháil ar na caoirigh go léir, agus ritheann smaoineamh iontach leis an aoire i ngeall air ...

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The door flew open, and Granny stared out at Cat with wild eyes. ‘So,’ she said, almost in a whisper, ‘they’re back.’ For the first time in over fifty years, the Trooping Fairies are in the small town of Clonbridge for their annual Revels. Their arrival awakens other creatures, who have mischief and chaos in mind. Eleven-year-old Cat is in more danger than most. She has the Sight, like her Granny before her, and that makes her a magnet for all things supernatural. But when the wild magic hurts her family, she needs to find a friend she can really trust. Together they face real danger and must use all their wits and bravery to save those they love, before the sun rises …

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Dublin, 1858 BRAM STOKER: boy seeking adventure (and things to write about) MOLLY MALONE: part-time fishmonger and full-time sneak thief! When Bram runs away from boarding school and meets streetwise Molly, he finds all the excitement he’s ever wanted. Together they explore the city, with its Sackville Street Spooks, hoodlums and heroes – and let’s not forget the very creepy Count Vladimir Grof-Constantin de Lugosi. As Bram looks for inspiration for the famous book he has yet to write – DRACULA – our two heroes stumble upon a dastardly plot to steal … the Irish Crown Jewels! Let the game of cat and mouse begin

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In his moon-shaped park filled with silver moonlight, The Dublin Vampire wakes to the same familiar sight. ‘I’ve spent so many years in this creepy old tree, Is there a more spooktacular place to be?’ He agrees with his bat that it’s time to explore ‘Let’s go on an all-Ireland ghost bus tour!’ A spooky bus tour around Ireland, with our favourite Dublin Vampire! He travels to well-known places all over the country, including St. Michan's church (where the mummies sleep!), Kilkenny Castle, the Hill of Tara (where the fairies dance and spraoi), and visits the giants at the causeway. But, when his travels are done, he decides that home is the most spooktacular place to be!

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Alice Taylor takes a look back at the well-used schoolbooks she used in her youth in the 1940s and 1950s. Flicking through the pages of the books and recalling poetry and prose she learned at school, Alice reminisces about these texts, how she related to them and how they integrated with her life on the farm and in the village. In her warm, wise way, Alice reflects on poems and stories on topics ranging from birds, trees and nature to fairy tales and legends, and ties them in with her own knowledge and memory of traditional country life. Containing the text of the poems that readers will remember from their own school days, and evocatively illustrated with photographs of the school books and Alice’s notes on them, as well as nature, flora, fauna and objects associated with schools of old, this is a reminder of childhood days and a treasure trove of memory.

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