An Irish Country Doctor

I love this book. It is just wonderful and funny. Reminds me of James Herriot books. Love everything about it.

addictive reading you won't want to do housework!

Grabs you right away. Makes you feel as though you are right there. Especially love the descriptions of what the life was like and the wonderful mishmash of people. I truly appreciate his service as a Doctor and the ability to also spin his stories and write about them. Read 1 - 6 awaiting book 7 and can hardly wait. Keep up the good work.

Could not put it down. Looking forward to reading the series. Reminded me of The Mitford series.

A real vacation from these days of dissention in our nation to the lovely hills of Ireland. Very well done.

I discovered this set of books by accident, and to tell you the truth, I could not lay them down. Join Dr. Fingal Flahertie, Dr. Barry Barry Laverty, Kinky the house cook, for some laughs at Ballybucklebo. Patrick Taylor has written a heart warming series of a medical practice in a small town in Northern Ireland. The books remind me of the series similar to the late James Herriot. The only difference is Harriot was a vet, and Dr. O'Reilly is a General practioner. Last week I emailed the author, Patrick Taylor, and I expressed my appreciation for his writings. Mr. Taylor made the time to answer me and expressed his thanks for taking the time to write him and for expressing my appreciation for his writings. Patrick Taylor is actually a medical doctor in Northern Ireland. Dr. Barry Laverty arrives in Ballybucklebo to begin his medical practice with Dr. O'Reilly. Humerous incidents are interwined through out the books with many of the towns characters. The Irish people know how to throw a party and the river of beer never seems to run dry. Barry Laverty, M.B., can barely find the village of Ballybucklebo on a map when he first sets out to seek gainful employment there, but already he knows that there is nowhere he would rather live than in the emerald hills and dales of Northern Ireland. The proud owner of a spanking-new medical degree and little else in the way of worldly possessions, Barry jumps at the chance to secure a position as an assistant in a small rural practice. At least until he meets Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. The older physician, whose motto is to never let the patients get the upper hand, has his own way of doing things. At first, Barry can't decide if the pugnacious O'Reilly is the biggest charlatan he has ever met, or the best teacher he could ever hope for. Through O'Reilly Barry soon gets to know all of the village's colorful and endearing residents, including: A malingering Major and his equally hypochondriacal wife; An unwed servant girl, who refuses to divulge the father of her upcoming baby; A slightly daft old couple unable to marry for lack of a roof; And a host of other eccentric characters who make every day an education for the inexperienced young doctor. Ballybucklebo is long way from Belfast, and Barry is quick to discover that he still has a lot to learn about the quirks and traditions of country life. But with pluck and compassion and only the slightest touch of blarney, he will find out more about life--and love--than he ever imagined back in medical school.

Yes, I read all of James Heriots books and this is in the same vein. The Dr. is kind and gentle young and hopeful. His view the people of the area is appreciative of their ways and he ministers to them without trying to change them. A lovely story with laughs and joy. Reading this book is like going to a restful country home for the weekend.

For me this book was an easy, quick, read that I could hardly put down. The dry, witty, humor gave me many laughs. I especially liked watching the relationship develop between the old, established, doctor and the young, new doctor. A very good read that I have passed on to others.

This book is just a wonderful read. It is set in the 1960's era, and is about a young med-school graduate who takes his first job in a little northern Irish village, joining an elderly doctor in family practice. It is very heart-warming, and holds your interest to the very last page. The author, Patrick Taylor, is a medical doctor himself. I am anxious to read any future books he writes.

This is an interesting book on Irish Life. If you like Irish ways and have an interest in medicine, this is your book. The interplay between the older General Practioner and his new, young assistant MD is very fascinating. They have adventure after adventure with their patients - both those who come to the "surgery" in the morning and the ones they visit on house calls in the afternoon. Kinky, the housekeeper, is an excellently drawn character who offers a great sample of the Irish brogue and Irish ways. I enjoyed this book. James Toomey