An Irish Country Christmas

It is Christmastime in little Ballybucklebo and the doctors, Fingal Flahertie O' Reilly and his young assistant, Barry Laverty find themselves in the thick of things as usual. A former classmate of O'Reilly's has set up a practice in town and employing less than scientifically proven practices causing stress to both of our heroes--first for the possibly harmful but definitely non-helpful methods but also, in Barry's case, worry that the small town cannot support three full time doctors. There are the usual sniffles and coughs of the winter season with which to deal but also a home delivery of a breech birth and the discovery that the local dressmaker is less a heartless employer than she presents herself. Then, too, there is the burning of put away Christmas money of the widow Eileen who struggles to put something by for the three children she wishes Santa to visit.Other than the professional, we find our men in the throes of romantic quandaries as well. Barry's girl, Patricia, who has embarked on a three year course of study in far off Cambridge, England appears to be quite engrossed in her new studies, her new friends and the offerings of an academic town and its proximity to London, where even more cultural and social opportunities exist. She seems less than Barry would hope in keeping her promise to return to Ireland for Christmas. This worries Barry that there may be another man and he wonders if he should perhaps think about finding a new interest, such as the young teacher in town. He is heart-sore and anguished, believing Patricia is the one and she, perhaps, not feeling the same about him.Fingal, on the other hand, long a widower, who is still deeply in love with Dierdre, finds himself wondering if he should take up the pretty clear offer of a second chance with Caitlin O'Halloran, the love of his student days. He'd been dating when he met Dierdre and she, Kitty, had never married. Now, she is back in his life and he is enjoying her company. Should he commit more deeply? Is it time to move on?Lastly, there are all the community dos--the big pageant where the children reenact the Christmas story--I laughed out loud for several minutes as that rolled out before my mind's eye! O' Reilly plays Santa passing out gifts to each of Ballybucklebo's chisellers. ( My Dad used that term for us kids and I never understood it. I couldn't figure out how we had chiselled anything. Through these stories I realize it is an Irish expression for kids! He must have gotten it from his Irish born mother, who died before I was born.) And the marvelous Kinky, Mrs Kinkaid, provides some of the food on the baquet tables.Not to be forgotten, there are the two more fancy gatherings--party at Ballybucklebo House, home of the local Marquis and the party at the Councillor's, Bertie and Flo Bishops. These on Christmas morning after roast goose and Midnight Mass the night before. All culminates with Christmas dinner at One Main, where Kinky presents a roast turkey, a roast ham and all the fixings. No wonder Fingal needed his Santa pants let out and Kinky tried, to no avail to put him on a diet before all the holiday feast began.And so, the year of 1964 is coming to an end for our friends. The Canadians have a new flag--the maple leaf--I remember when that happened. Catholic Masses would soon be said in the vernacular--a decision I always hated-loving the elegance of the Latin Mass. What will 1965 bring for them? I cannot wait to see in the next installment of Patrick Taylor's wonderful series.

The year is 1964. The village is Ballybucklebo in Ulster, Ireland. It's winter, and Christmas is fast approaching. Dr. Barry Laverty is assistant to the infamous Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, whose florid nose turns alabaster when he's angered. Barry lives in a little upstairs room at Number One Main Street with Fingal, his efficient and fuss-pot housekeeper Mrs. Kinky Kincaid, a white cat named Lady Macbeth, and a daft black Labrador named Arthur Guiness. Barry's mind is fully occupied these days not only by keeping busy in the surgery (meaning the doctor's office) but also with whether or not his beautiful young girlfriend Patricia Spence will make it home from college for the holidays.Dr. O'Reilly is busy with surgery, and the unfortunate task of fixing some mistakes made by a new doctor in The Kinnegar name Dr. Ronald Hercules Fitzpatrick. Dr. Fitzpatrick starts out on the wrong foot by attempting to bypass Kinky's stolid stance against visitors to "Himself" when O'Reilly is up with a cough. He makes matters worse by dispensing ridiculous home remedies such as primrose roots and goat's milk whey shoved up the nose for infection, and gunpowder in a young man's tea for infertility. Dr. O'Reilly has also been setting aside treasured memories of his long-dead wife Deidre in favor of a certain Ms. Kitty O'Halloran, who herself has taken up visiting the doctor on more frequent social calls.Occupying both doctors' time, other than treating patients in surgery and on-call, is the upcoming Christmas pageant, a Rugby game, the Rugby Club's first annual raffle event (dreamed up by Fingal to see to it that young, single, working mother Eileen has Christmas for her three young children), Christmas Eve, and the Marquis' party on Christmas Day.'An Irish Country Christmas' is the third book in Patrick Taylor's 'Irish Country' series, but the first book of his that I've read. Immediately upon finishing, I ordered 'An Irish Country Doctor' and 'An Irish Country Village', the first two books in the series. It seems I can't get enough of the wonderful characters Mr. Taylor has created. The story isn't about any particular event other than culminating with Christmas Day, but about the everyday lives and events that surround those who reside in Number One Main Street. You can feel the small town atmosphere (and long for it's peacefulness), feel the gentler time of 1964, and respond to the fully fleshed-out characters. The enjoyment is in all the little details and the personalities of all involved. There's more to being a country doctor than dispensing medicine; there's advice in the form of finding a sitter for Eileen's little Sammy so Eileen can resume work, resolving a Christmas fund problem at Sammy's house, seeing a young boy in surgery (the office) about not wanting to go to school because he wasn't picked as Joseph for the Christmas Play, and watching old spinster Alice Moloney blossom as she tells the tale of being a vibrant young woman in India.The book uses country brogue language, most of which is easy to understand. (such as "pew" for chair, and "briar" for pipe). The book is 471 pages, with an Afterward by Mrs. Kinky Kincaid including some Christmas recipes, an Author's Note, and a full Glossary of terms for any who have trouble with the language. This is truly one of the most "quaint" stories I've read, and while not fast-paced still conjures an "I can't put it down" interest in the reader. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!

What a fabulous story! This is a wonderful Irish story, perfect to read at Christmas. Full of interesting characters and, of course, romance and village shenanigans, it will keep you entertained all the way through to the end. Dr. Final Flaherty O’Reilly is one of a kind!

I’m a great fan (or was!) of Patrick Taylor and bought this book, thinking it was part of his series. However, it turned out to be the story of the housekeeper’s childhood. So disappointed and didn’t bother reading very far. It wasn’t just a bit of reminiscing - it was the whole book! Not for me thanks.

He wouldn't be the first doctor to turn author.A.J Cronin did likewise.We know County Down,having lived there and this tale is one of enchantment for us,having experienced the warmth and glow of many good Irish Christmasses

Enjoyed it very much it was as good as the rest of the series.

A lovely, enchanting read

Very impressed with both the book and the service, Thank you.