Wherever Green is Worn: The Story of the Irish Diaspora

I found this a fascinating and interesting read. There was so much information in it, that I must have taken over two months to read it. It's the sort of book that you could put down for three weeks and then come back at it without a problem. As a person who grew up in Ireland, I had some idea that as a race we had travelled the world but I would not have been aware as to the extent of that travelling and the similar hardships encountered to those who stayed at home. This is a book that every Irish person and I mean that in its broadest sense should delve into. I liked Tim's style of writing. His personal commentary very much added to the experience of reading this book.Criticisms that I would have would be that the chapters were to long. Also in relation to the Irish churches influence on the world, he was right to highlight the great work done by missionaries but I do feel he could have given more information on the downside,i.e the minority who gave missionaries a bad name, those who ran the orphanages and industrial schools.Its not to long ago that you would have found signs and notices in former colonial countries stating that "no Irish need apply". The opposite is now the case and most throughout the world are happy to have an Irish heritage. This book will endorse that feeling.

Coogan takes on possibly his most adventurous project, as he traces the path of Irish immigrants throughout the world. As always, Tim Pat is thorough and his journalistic syle is very readable. The information contained in "Wherever Green is Worn" is fascinating. Anyone who picks up this book, no matter how much you know about the history of Ireland, will learn something new.