Not only because the writing has a distinct
Irish lilt but because each short chapter ends with a musical score for an Irish jig, so unless one happens to be a dab hand on the keyboard, or better still, the fiddle, there is an element of the book that one misses out on (in fact it's a little frustrating that this otherwise wonderful book, winner of the Guardian and Whitbread children's book awards, doesn't come with an attached CD for the musically - challenged amongst us).
A private tour of Trinity College with fast - track entry to the Book of Kells, a Jaunting Car ride in Killarney, luscious green countryside, dramatic coastal scenery and the «
lilt» of
Irish voices all make for an exceptional journey.