An Irish Country Courtship

A Novel

By: Patrick Taylor

Narrated by: John Keating

Welcome to Patrick Taylor's Irish Country Books and the colourful Ulster village of Ballybucklebo, where two doctors work hand in hand to mend the bodies and spirits of the town's diverse and engaging inhabitants. But who is looking after the wounded hearts of the doctors?

In An Irish Country Courtship, after less than a year, young Barry Laverty, M.B., is settling in to the village, with only a few months to go before he becomes a full partner in the practice. He's looking forward to becoming a fixture in the community, until an unexpected romantic reversal gives him second thoughts. Will he truly be happy tending to routine coughs and colds for the rest of his career? After all, even when a more challenging case comes along, like a rare tropical disease, all he can do is pass it on to a qualified specialist or big-city hospital. As much as Barry enjoys the rough and tumble of life in County Down, is running a humble GP's shop all he wants out of life?

Barry's mentor, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, is going through some personal upheavals as well.
After mourning his deceased wife for decades, he's finally allowed a new woman into his life. But this budding courtship is not going over well with Kinky Kincaid, the doctors' redoubtable housekeeper, who fears having her position usurped by O'Reilly's new flame. Tact, diplomacy, and a fair amount of blarney may be required to restore peace to the household.

Meanwhile, life goes on in Ballybucklebo, presenting both doctors with plenty of distractions from their own troubles. From a mysterious outbreak at the local school to a complicated swindle involving an unlucky racehorse, the two partners will need all of their combined wit and compassion to put things right again--just in time for their lives to change forever.

Critic reviews

“Taylor . . . is a bang-up storyteller who captivates and entertains from the first word.” —Publishers Weekly on An Irish Country Girl

“Taylor masterfully charts the small victories and defeats of Irish village life.” —Irish American magazine on An Irish Country Christmas

“Full of stories and vivid characters, [An Irish Country Village] recalls a good night in a pub. Good, light entertainment.” —Booklist

“The cozy village of Ballybucklebo and its eccentric inhabitants make the holidays bright.” —Library Journal on An Irish Country Christmas

Review

The quality was just as good as usual, but I enjoy the village relationships and medical scenarios more than the romance and courtship relationships. I know it has "courtship" in the title. It was very good and necessary to follow this wonderful story!

Loved every minute of this one!

This may be my very favorite book of the series. I can't wait to start on the next one! Patrick Taylor is a wonderful writer and kudos to John Keating for his terrific narration. I highly recommend the entire series. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy these stories. They are fun.uplifting,and very enjoyable.

Loved it

It is very entertaining. The characters are so lovable. I can not stop listening now.

Great series

What made the experience of listening to An Irish Country Courtship the most enjoyable?

I work in Medicine so I enjoyed it very much also went to England this summer.

smashing ly good!

Keating is an extraordinary reader helping you to "see " the characters and their unique personalities. The story is filled with "views" of the Irish rural life and the extraordinary commitment and coplexity doctors face there. Great story.