A beautiful collection of travel stories from some of his favourite places, âIn Wicklow and West Kerryâ (1912) is a personal and memorable account of J.M. Syngeâs journeys around Ireland.
Throughout this wonderful book, Syngeâs love for the Irish people and geography shines through as he regales the reader with delightful vignettes.
Fans of modern travel writers like Robert Macfarlane and Bill Bryson will absolutely adore Synge's âIn Wicklow and West Kerryâ.
Edmund John Millington Synge (1871 â 1909) was an Irish poet, playwright, and defining figure of the Irish Literary Revival. Born in County Dublin to upper-middle-class Protestants, Synge suffered from Hodgkinâs disease which led to his home-schooling.
Soon after graduating from Trinity College Dublin, Synge became a renowned poet and playwright, but his success was short-lived as he passed away from cancer at 37. He is best remembered for his play âThe Playboy of the Western Worldâ, an incredibly controversial work at the time of its publication and performance.
Regarded by Yeats as âthe greatest dramatic genius of Irelandâ, Synge has held a lasting legacy, being a key influence for acclaimed Irish playwright Samuel Beckett and the subject of Joseph OâConnorâs novel âGhost Lightâ (2010).