Shanway Press

A fascinating book from Shakespeare scholar Tom Hall. As he says: “I have tried to communicate interesting possibilities about Shakespeare’s early life when seen against what is known or likely concerning his environment; particular emphasis is placed on the ‘lost years’. I have dealt with the reasons why theories have arisen regarding these years, 1564-1581, before suggesting how problems can be experienced about the authorship in later years. My approach is deliberately personal rather than intellectual or scholarly, and is intended to be accessible to readers without a detailed knowledge of the plays.” Definitely plenty of food for thought in this book.

This is a novelistic love-letter to Belfast City & environs, and a rather comedic one at that. It follows the trials & tribulations of a newbie journalist (and dino-enthusiast!), his drinking pal, a pompous middle-aged archaeologist at Queen’s, a legendary German palaeontologist, a mischievous young couple under their tutelage, and a 16-year-old schoolboy who dreams of other worlds… They gradually become connected, and all because of dinosaurs. The story unfolds amidst the strife & chaos of the Troubles -and a bit of how it was 66 million years ago, too.

The book celebrates and re-imagines 1979 Belfast in meticulous detail. It also, rather mischievously, celebrates the recently confirmed discovery of Ireland’s first dinosaur fossils. This somewhat Swiftian story pokes fun at just about everything living, half-living or just plain extinct. It will appeal to lovers of Belfast and to those fascinated by the ancient beasts who used to roam its streets… before they were streets… Might dinosaurs, wondering whether to engage in fisticuffs or not, have first quizzed each other on their religious affiliations? Find out in the pages of this wild, and thought-provoking, romp. 

See more here:

https://www.belfastwithdinosaurs1979.com/

It is the job of historians to revise earlier accounts of history. As new public records, for example, continually become available, it will be necessary to revise previous accounts of certain periods of history and actors in that history. But the dominant narratives of Irish history since the 1960s have been written by a group whose revisionism claims for itself the virtues of value free and objective empirical research as exclusively forming their accounts of Irish history. As Bertolt Brecht said, however, “Whenever there are great virtues, it’s a sure sign something’s wrong”. What is wrong in this case is that such revisionism masks a particular set of ideological beliefs that result in, for example, the displacement of the Famine as the central, immiserating event in nineteenth century Ireland. This collection of essays, some previously published and some new, revises the Revisionists on their general approach to Irish history, the early history of Ulster, the Famine, the Plantation, Ireland’s status as colony, and challenges their findings through advancing counter-arguments in the spirit of academic debate and research. It is the first such collection that challenges Revisionism in various intellectually thoughtful and stimulating ways, and establishes a dialectical counter-narrative to it. Terence Bradley

When Nora Gallagher leaves Donegal to work in a college in Edinburgh she is torn between the excitement of her new career and the call of home. Lodging with Rosie, an elderly family friend, she sees how lonely a city can be for the old and vulnerable. Nora sets out to help Rosie and to improve the prospects of the troubled teenagers she supports in college.

Astute and determined, Nora attracts the praise of her maverick colleagues and the jealousy of her conniving boss, Liz. She also attracts the attention of Gerard Falconer, a wealthy landowner, who opens his estate to disadvantaged students. Nora struggles with her own values, her growing fondness for Gerard and her desire to support her ailing grandfather at home.

By foiling the plans of local criminals preying on Rosie, Nora is unaware of the danger both women now face from a more serious predator – a danger which tracks them back to Donegal, where Nora has returned.

John is the different Gospel, the most difficult but the most
enriching. It begins in the eternal loving heart of the Trinity,
‘for God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that
everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but may have
eternal life’ (3:16), and ends in an Hour of Glory, as John sees the
death and Resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Spirit.
The author gives a guide to all 21 chapters of the Gospel, with 22
passages for Lectio Divina, and 10 Stations of the Cross according
to John, to supplement our traditional ones. It’s the fruit of a long
pondering and love for this Gospel, so it is personal and, from
experience, medicine for a faltering spiritual life.
It is for everyone from student to pensioner, a challenge to all
to deepen their spirituality and their relationship with the living
Lord. It’s a sipping drink to be savoured slowly, rather than a
binge. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Albert McNally, a priest of Down and Connor, studied scripture
at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome 1968-71. He spent 30
years teaching at second and third level and 17 years as a Parish
Priest before retirement.

The year 2020 will be remembered by many as the year of many days of ‘lockdown’ to counter the spread of CoVid-19 pandemic. ‘Lakeland Lockdown Reflections’ illustrates how to find and communicate with God in a strange time of anxiety and uncertainty. The reader will encounter how God spoke to the author through his Word and the beauty of creation, in the lakeland county of Fermanagh. These reflections by Deacon Martin Donnelly and images of quiet places so beautifully photographed by Fr Brendan McManus SJ, illustrate how the beauty of the environment provides stimuli for silent prayer. The words challenge the reader to reflect upon experiences of God in everyday life and to see God in the little things we often take for granted. In addition to being a pleasurable read, it is also a useful resource for meditation and prayer. The images enable the reader to look at the ‘ordinary’ with new eyes. The reflections warm the heart and open it to wonder and awe of God’s presence. is unique about this book is that Rev. Martin brings his experience of being a Deacon to bear in these reflections he wrote during Lockdown 2020. Being a married deacon is a new ministry in the Irish Church and we get to see his formation, his prayer and his work expressed in these pages. In some ways it represents a bridge between clergy and lay people, Martin has a foot in both camps and we get the benefits of both: the experience of married life, grandparenting and its demands, along with the commitment to prayer, liturgy and making the Scriptures talk to our lives.

A beautifully written and illustrated collection of poems and short stories by writer and artist Joan Mac Cabe. The writings echo a rich tapestry of the years between the 1940’s and the 1990’s. The author has included poems that move her, comfort her and make her laugh and cry! The short stories are generally set in the early years and take you inside the characters hearts and minds, most having a wee twist at the end! Definitely a must-read book.

A book by Fr. Patrick Delargy.

“At a time when there is much talk about cultural Catholicism this book gives an insight into how our lives can be transformed when we see faith and life flowing as one, impacting, shaping and challenging each other. ‘To be where Love is’– that is the key.”

– Bairbre Cahill