Books published by publisher Poolbeg Press

“Raw and honest, a compelling account of growing up as a teenager – an eloquent and descriptive depiction of a young man reflecting on his experiences as he tumbles through his teenage years. Genuinely written from the heart.” - Jack Reynor, Actor Sam is a shy, 15-year-old boy navigating two social worlds: the uptight bullies at his all-boys private school and the small uncouth gang in his neighborhood. This gang of five follows the typical teenage-boy pattern; they drink, smoke, cause fights and vandalize property. Sam desperately wants to be accepted, but he soon finds that the only way to gain respect amongst the crew is to fight violence with violence. And it hurts.At school, Sam keeps to his own dream world when he’s not consorting with his best (and only) friend Daniel or getting sent out of class for talking back to his teachers. His stubborn behavior often lands him in meetings with his guidance counselor, the sage Jesuit Don, whose measured wisdom is transmitted to Sam through a haze of constant cigar smoke. When it comes to girls, Sam is lost without Daniel. After hesitantly agreeing to be Daniel’s wingman on a blind date, Sam inadvertently meets the girl of his dreams. Antoinette is perfect: blonde, slender and sexy, and Sam is enamored. On Daniel’s advice, Sam decides to throw a small house party with the intention of losing his virginity to the ‘most beautiful girl in the world’, but Daniel has his own agenda with Antoinette’s best friend and Sam is meanwhile overtaken by fear, anxiety and his first experience with weed. After an awkward attempt to get Antoinette into his parents’ bed, it seems Sam may have ruined his chances. But when he later discovers that Daniel has secretly been dating Antoinette behind his back, Sam learns the real cost and shame of falling in love at the price of friendship.This blow is followed quickly by another — just when Sam feels he’s finally become regarded as part of the neighborhood gang, the boys find a dead body hanging from a tree at their favorite hangout spot. Sam’s absence from this discovery further reinforces his distance from the other boys, and he finds himself once again on the edges, unable to identify with their new found pain and further than ever from being accepted.But being a teenager is all about redemption and recrimination, small events becoming catastrophic, and seemingly huge moments eventually meaning nothing. Through these events that shape a teen, Sam discovers the boundaries of sexuality, friendship, authority, and the possibility of death.

It is 1711, and the Ulster-Scots community in a remote corner of Ireland is in turmoil. A pretty young newcomer is accusing one woman after another of witchcraft. But Ellen, the serving girl in the house where the visitor is staying, is loyal to the family – and over-fond of her master. Yet she knows that Knowehead is a house like no other.And so she watches and ponders, as a seemingly normal girl claims she is bewitched. As a community turns against eight respectable woman. And as malevolent forces unleashed more than half a century earlier threaten a superstitious people beyond their understanding.Martina Devlin has fictionalised a compelling episode from history, transforming it into a spine-chilling tale.- The House Where it Happened is a deeply atmospheric novel inspired by the true story of the last conviction for witchcraft in Ireland which happened in County Antrim on March 31st, 1711.- For fans of Susan Hill’s ‘The Woman in Black and Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Jamaica Inn’ - Praise for The House Where it Happened:‘Martina Devlin is an immensely skilled storyteller and I was utterly gripped by this book's power. Its sulphurous shadows and air of suppressed menace remind you that the author of Wuthering Heights had Ulster blood, like Devlin’ – Joseph O’Connor

Thousands of years ago the TuathaDéDanann – the People of the Goddess Danu – landed on the West Coast of Ireland.Their boats suddenly appeared out of a huge mist. People thought they came from the sky and believed they must be half gods, half human.They brought four great magical treasures, fought and won fearsome battles and ruled Ireland for more than 400 years.And when their reign was over, they vanished into the Other World, still exercising their magic powers, living on forever.

"A simple, informative and engaging way of learning about some of history's most exciting tales"The In a Nutshell series is a wonderful way to introduce children to some of Ireland's best-loved myths and legends, it's a history lesson, yes, but a fun, colourful one, and the witty tone means it will appeal to mums and dads too. Highly recommended - Mothers & Babies magazine, Irish IndependentThe four children of King Lir are happy when their father marries again. Aoife, their new stepmother is very kind to them. But in her heart she is jealous of the children and uses her secret magic powers to cast a spell on them, changing them from children into swans. They spend long years on lonely lakes and frozen seas, until one day the spell is broken and they are human again. Though everyone they loved is long gone, they know they are home at last.

Oisin was the bravest and most handsome young warrior in The Fianna and he loved adventure. So when a beautiful girl, Niamh, galloped across the waves to invite him to the Land of Eternal Youth, Oisin could not resist. He had to see Tir na n’Og for himself. But how did he get on in a country where no one ever grew old? And did being forever young bring him any joy? This story tells how Oisin’s desire to stay youthful becomes instead a quest for human happiness.

Niall of the Nine Hostages was born to the second wife of the High King Eochaid. But his mother, terrified that Eochaid's jealous first wife Mongfind would kill the baby, abandoned him in the forest. Baby Niall was rescued by a poet who rared him and, when he grew up, he went back to his father's court, to claim his rightful place. But his troubles were only just beginning ....

It's 1943 and young Leo tries to protect his disabled sister Ruby as the Nazis invade Italy. After his mother is arrested, he turns to Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty to save them. But he is no ordinary priest. Known as 'The Pimpernel of the Vatican', he is the legendary organiser of the Rome Escape Line. Soon Leo is helping out with the secret network dedicated to saving lives of escaped prisoners. Bust as the sinister Nazi leader Kappler closes in, can Leo stay out of his evil clutches?Leo's War is based on the astonishing true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the Irish Oscar Schindler who saved over 6,500 lives during the German occupation of Rome in World War II.Told through the eyes of a twelve-year-old boy, it is a dramatic roller coaster of extraordinary human courage pitted against the darkest evil by the bestselling author of Molly's Diary.

On a Good Friday on thousand years ago, Brian Boru led his soldiers to victory against an invading army of Vikings. And though he lost his life that day, his fame has lasted a millennium. This is the tale of how the second son of a minor king of Munster became High King of Ireland and such a great leader of men that his names live forever in song and story.

Kidnapped as a boy and sold into slavery in Ireland, Patrick spent many brutal years away from his family and friends and should have hated the Irish people.Yet having escaped, he was drawn back to challenge the High King, his warriors and the great druids who fought against him with all their magic powers.This was a battle Patrick had to win and it changed a way of life forever.“The ‘In a Nutshell’ series is a wonderful way to introduce children to some of Ireland’s best-loved myths and legends – it’s a history lesson, yes, but a fun, colorful one, and the witty tone means it will appeal to mums and dads too. Highly recommended’ Irish Independent

"A simple, informative and engaging way of learning about some of history's most exciting tales." "The In a Nutshell series is a wonderful way to introduce children to some of Ireland's best-loved myths and legends, it's a history lesson, yes, but a fun, colourful one, and the witty tone means it will appeal to mums and dads too. Highly recommended (Mothers & Babies Magazine, Irish Independent) The four children of King Lir are happy when their father marries again. Aoife, their new stepmother is very kind to them. But, in her heart, she is jealous of the children and uses her secret magic powers to cast a spell on them, changing them from children into swans. They spend long years on lonely lakes and frozen seas, until one day the spell is broken, and they are human again. Though everyone they loved is long gone, they know they are home at last.