This collection of interviews with exceptional women from the Emerald Isle “will make you laugh, and cry, and think, and love” (Mary Higgins Clark, international bestselling mystery author). Open the door to the legends of successful, inspirational women with one common thread—a heartwarming connection to Ireland. Each story, in its own unique way, is about pursuing a dream and making a difference. Whether it’s one by the great mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark, playwright Marianne McDonald, or the authors themselves, each illuminates how these wise women have made a difference in their own corner of the world. “What a wonderful book, again illustrating that the Irish have it all, both the tragedy that shaped their thoughts and the joy and wit to see the rainbow after every rainfall. This book is the most precious pot of gold you could ever find.”—Marianne McDonald, PhD, MRIA “Wise Irish Women embraces the essence of the Fearless Women books, illuminating women who shine in their lives and make a difference in spite of their challenges and fears.”—Mary Ann Halpin, internationally acclaimed author and photographer of the Fearless Women books

This powerful analysis of the wise women healer from the oral traditions of Ireland's rural communities is unique in its depth and perspective. Stories, told and retold, embedded in the texture of culture and community, collected and studied for many decades, are here translated and made available to the general reader for the first time. The figure of the wise woman, the hag, the Cailleach, or the Red Woman are part of an oral tradition which has its roots in pre-Christian Ireland. In the hands of Gearoid O Crualaich, these figures are subtly explored to reveal how they offered a complex understanding of the world, of human psychology and its predicaments: the thematic structure of the book brings to the fore universal themes such as death, marriage, childbirth, and healing, and invites the reader to see the contemporary relevance of the stories for themselves.

From every county in Ireland Bold, Brilliant & Bad draws together the stories of over 120 amazing Irish women. Marian Broderick is back to explore the histories of remarkable Irish Women in history. From creative craftswomen to singing sensations, poets to sporting champions. From Lilian Bland to Maeve Binchy and from Anne O'Brien to Professor Sheila Tinney, these women paved the way for the future and made massive changes in their various fields. Meet the women from history who went against the grain and challenged the expectations of the world. There were and are a force to be reckoned with.

From patriots to pirates, warriors to writers, and mistresses to male impersonators, this book looks at the unorthodox lives of inspiring Irish women. In times when women were expected to marry and have children, they travelled the world and sought out adventures; in times when women were expected to be seen and not heard, they spoke out in loud voices against oppression; in times when women were expected to have no interest in politics, literature, art, or the world outside the home, they used every creative means available to give expression to their thoughts, ideas and beliefs. In a series of succinct and often amusing biographies, Marian Broderick tells the life stories of these exceptional Irish women.

An anthology of sixteen short stories about family, friendship, and love features contributions from popular Irish women authors.

Biddy Early, a mysterious woman from Clare, Ireland was a mystic or witch, her extraordinary abilities sparked tales of cures, prophecies, and spells. Her magic cloaked bottle, served as a tool of clairvoyance, shrouding her life in mystery.