Books published by publisher Dufour Editions

In 1919, Michael Collins conceived of a scheme to knock out the eyes and ears of the British Administration at Dublin Castle by undermining and terrorising the police so that the British would react blindly and drive the Irish people into the arms of the Irish Republican Army. The Bureau of Military History interviewed those involved in this scheme in the early 1950s with the assurance that the material would not be published in their lifetimes. A few of the contributions were made available by the families of those involved, but the bulk of them have only recently been released. This is the first book to make use of those interviews. It makes fascinating, almost unique reading, because they contain first-hand descriptions in which men speaking candidly of their involvement in killing selected people at close range. As a result it throws a considerable amount of new light on the activities of the Squad and the intelligence operations of Michael Collins.

Once upon a time there was a little girl called Fiona who lived in Dublin. But Dublin is full of colourful characters and creatures from the fairytale realm. Often not seen or heard, they reside in some of Dublin’s most famous locations and landmarks! Fiona’s on a journey to Granny’s house ....but who’s that following her through the streets of Dublin? Travel across the city with Fiona and her fantastic friends in this modern Dublin fairytale. With beautiful quirky illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Nicola Colton.

#WELCOME TO EPIC: PRESS START TO PLAY#On New Earth, Epic is not just a computer game, it's a matter of life and death. If you lose, you lose everything; if you win, the world is yours for the taking.Seeking revenge for the unjust treatment of his parents, Erik subverts the rules of the game, and he and his friends are drawn into a world of power-hungry, dangerous players. Now they must fight the ultimate masters of the game -- The Committee. But what Erik doesn't know is that The Committee has a sinister, deadly secret, and challenging it could destroy the whole world of Epic.

The rebellion that set Ireland free, told as a graphic novel.The 1916 Easter Rising was an attempt by a small group of militant Irish republicans to win independence from Britain. It was the most significant rebellion in Ireland. Though a military failure, it set Ireland on the road to freedom from Britain.The book covers the story from the early planning to the final executions and includes the tragic romance between Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford.Following on from the success of political graphic novels such as Maus and Persepolis, this is accessible, informative and insightful history at its best.

Take an engaging journey back in time, when battles were fought with swords, lances, maces, and an array of well-crafted devices that could be elegant and ornate, brutal and efficient, or both. This accessible, lively, and informative book explores many facets of the medieval world of weaponry. Did you know, for instance, that in the fifteenth century "fight books" with drawings guided knights in the proper use of weapons? That the average medieval warrior became a full-fledged fighter by the time he was fifteen years old? Or that armor made by a master could, by modern standards, cost the price of a Rolls Royce?

Do you know why the circular stairs in castles ascended clockwise? Have you ever wondered where the toilets were, or how they worked? Do you know what the best way to attack a castle was? Can you guess why hundreds of pigs would be slaughtered in order to conquer a castle? Ewart Oakeshott knows, and you will too when you finish this book. He is the foremost authority on Medieval weaponry, and in this book he provides a lively and informative history of Europe's castles. Superbly illustrated by the author, he traces the design, building, and defense of castles throughout the Middle Ages, and explores the castle armory, daily life, the training of boys to become knights (including their lessons in both the arts of warfare and courtly behavior), sieges, and favorite pastimes such as hunting and hawking. "This delightful little work does admirably what it sets out to do..So well done that it deserves a place in the library purely as an elementary work of reference." -School Librarian

Off the coast of Ireland there lies an island. It looks just like a giant sleeping in the sea. But what if it really is a giant – and what if, one day, the sleeping giant wakes up?The Sleeping Giant, first published in 1991, quickly became a huge favourite with children all over Ireland and it hit the annual bestseller lists again when the paperback edition was published in 1998. The O'Brien Press are delighted to bring out this new edition for a new generation of children to enjoy.

Storytelling has always been at the heart of Celtic societies. From firesides to books, these tales have been passed from generation to generation. Some are well known, such as the Irish legend of Diarmaid and Gráinne, while those less frequently told, including The Magic Pail from Cornwall, deserve their place in this unique collection. Tales from all celtic lands, including Brittany, The Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales, meet here. Skillfully retold by author and poet Una Leavy and brought to life by Fergal O’Connor’s lively illustrations. Read of giants and dragons, of fairies and princesses: all beautifully illustrated and told for a new generation of children.

Nearly fifteen hundred years ago a man of royal blood was bom in Gartan in the heart of Donegal in the north of Ireland. To the world outside he is known as St Columba but the Irish preferred to call him Colm Cille-the Dove of the Church. He was prince and saint, scholar and statesman, and for centuries after his death people told stories about his nobility, his courage, his pride and his miracles.Why did this prince become a holy monk? Why did this monk leave the country he loved to exile himself on the windswept Scottish island of Iona? The life of the historical Columba is as marvellous as the stories of wonder told about him and Eileen Dunlop, one of Scotland's leading children's authors, is the ideal guide to both the legend and the man.

Follow Molly's journey in this gorgeous picture book that is sure to delight adults and children alike!Molly, her parents and her cat Mipsy tour Ireland and see all the main sights! Written and illustrated by Sarah Bowie. Locations include:• Dublin Zoo• Christ Church Cathedral• Rock of Cashel• Hook Lighthouse• Cork City• Cliffs of Moher• Giant’s Causeway• Titanic Belfast• Newgrange

Follow Larry the Leprechaun around Ireland, and see if you can find him in Belfast, the Skelligs or viking Dublin! But it won’t be easy: he is hiding in the middle of Irish dancers, traditional musicians, climbers, tourists, hurlers and many others.Locations include:• Cobh• The Titanic Quarter (Belfast)• Ben Bulben• Donegal• Clonmacnoise• Westport House• Hook Head Lighthouse• Kilkenny Castleand many more! Great fun for all the family.

Explore a fascinating dimension of medieval life in this engaging account of knights and their horses. Oakeshott reveals how war tactics changed because of the swift terror of fighting on horseback instead of on foot. The author brings us into the world of jousts and spear-play, where a horse's strength, speed, and resiliency were absolutely essential. To engage in such exciting, dangerous activities, a "knight's horse had to have nerves of steel and a steadfast heart." Oakeshott dispels myths about the so-called ponderous horse of medieval times. He tells how horses were bred and trained for war, and how they became symbols of social class and sources of pride. Without a horse, a knight was nothing. Originally published in 1962-and of interest to young and older readers-this updated and revised edition of A Knight and His Horse has an extensive and useful glossary. Accurately illustrated by the author, the book captures the wonder and magic of a past time. Also available from Dufour are A Knight and His Weapons, A Knight and His Castle, and A Knight in Battle.