POWAY, Calif., August 28, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- When many people think of Ireland, they think of leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, St. Patrick's Day and Irish beer. Irish culture, however, goes much deeper. In the new book, Irish Facts, Fun, and Folklore (now available through 1stBooks), author Erin McGrath Ruocco combines the history, trivia and legend of the Emerald Isle.
Ruocco's book provides everything from the general lay of the land to a glimpse into the Gaelic culture to an introduction to Celtic folklore. The first section, "Facts," includes a short description of the geographic landscape, from the rolling hills to the bustling cities of Belfast and Dublin. She also gives a brief overview of Ireland's history, a bloody past filled with struggle against an English rule that began with William the Orange. For travelers, she offers the top 10 attractions in Ireland and helpful terms to know before visiting the country.
The "Fun" section provides a wealth of trivia. The author recounts over the 100 films shot on or about the Emerald Isle and lists a handful of famous Irish musicians, such as Sinead O'Connor and U2. She further details three-dozen writers, from Yeats to Joyce, and 30 recent books that can be attributed to the country.
Lastly, the "Folklore" section alphabetically lists legends and superstitions of the Celtic and Gaelic people.
"Before researching my heritage, I thought the Irish were a gun-toting, beer-drinking, superstitious lot. Now I know that they are a nation that still struggles for their freedom from England, contributes more than their fair share of award-winning movies, music and books, and carries on such rich traditions as the claddagh ring and the Rose of Tralee. I hope my readers will discover the same," Ruocco writes.
A "lucky charm" in anyone's library, Ruocco's Irish Facts, Fun, and Fiction reveals little known facts and colorful tales of a unique country, small in size, but vast in history.
Irish Facts, Fun, and Fiction is the author's second published book. Her first, Kangaroo Crossing, was published in 1992. Her father, Tom McGrath, an accomplished artist and author, illustrated both books.
In addition to her travelogues, Ruocco's work has appeared in media on both the local and national level, such as San Diego Family Magazine and USA Today. She currently resides in California.
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