Hector McDonnell – författare

Dublin's writers rarely remain solemn for long: their wicked sense of humour has travelled the world. This is an irresistible new anthology of what used to be called ‘comic and curious verse’ about the city, written by some of her most entertaining poets and songwriters. Fashions in verse come and go. Too often we forget – paradoxically – the most memorable works of wit, sarcasm or absurdity. The ones gathered here were written over four centuries, and were inspired by many things – among them love, injustice, history, politics, animals and alcohol, but most of all by the citizens of Dublin themselves. Whether the lines are satirical, sentimental, subversive, sexy or just plain silly, you will find that many of them show a rare seriousness as well. Each poem comes with background information about where it originated, and each page is illuminated by Hector McDonnell’s wonderful, witty drawings.

Were the Stones of Stenness the world’s first henge and stone circle? Why has Orkney preserved so many Neolithic farmhouses and villages? What was the purpose of the huge buildings on the Ness of Brodgar? In this small book, painter Hector McDonnell introduces the history and the mystery of Orkney. Could the practice of making astronomical stone circles really have started on a small island off the north coast of Scotland, and then been exported to the mainland? WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

The Round Towers of Ireland are among the most enigmatic and extraordinary constructions of the early Irish Church. Why were they put up? What were they used for? Where did the idea come from, and when? Hector McDonnell, one of Ireland's best-known contemporary painters, outlines the story of the round towers, and presents a radical theory. With a gazeteer at the back, and numerous rare early engravings, this is an excellent small guide to the field. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

What kind of a world was St Patrick born into? Why were his visions and dreams considered so dangerous by the early church? How much do we really know about Ireland's foremost Saint? In this beautiful little book, Irish painter Hector McDonnell tells the amazing story of the Romano-British youth enslaved by Irish raiders who escaped only to return and Christianise Ireland. With fascinating new theories, exquisite old plates and occasional drawings by the author.

The Irish landscape is alive with pagan powers, gods and spirits. Inside every hill are feasting halls of otherworldly beings who sometimes emerge into our realm, or entice the unwary into theirs. Lakes and rivers have their own divinities, sacred pagan springs cure everything from toothache to insanity, and gods and goddesses live on in ancient stones. In this fascinating and beautiful book Hector McDonnell describes how Ireland's pre-Christian beliefs still shape its rich customs and beliefs today. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.