I have not read the previous books in this series but that did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying this dual timeline look at life in the Irish village of Ballybucklebo.

The story follows Barry Laverty as he matures from hard working intern to family physician, and from a young man in love to a married man hoping to start a family. We meet Barry's friends, coworkers, and patients along the way and experience many of life's happenings, big and small.

I found the characters to be, for the most part, quite genuine. I'd love to be able to spend a week or two in Ballybucklebo and since that isn't possible I will likely start reading this series from the beginning.

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Tor Books for my copy of An Irish Country Family by Patrick Taylor in exchange for an honest review. It published November 12, 2019.
I regret not reading this sooner! What a wonderful book. I enjoy this series, the medical jargon, the Irish camaraderie, and just the whole feel of these books! Definitely will be picking the next one sooner!

This is a book that is quite nostalgic for a slightly older reader, and for the younger ones may be a book that will make them question whether places and people like this actually existed. Set in a not very far off time of the 1960s Ballybucklebo (the name itself sounds quirky) seems to be idyllic place peopled by very fine upright characters with just the odd man out to throw a spanner in the works literally.


Set amidst for the great part in a doctor community both in a hospital and outside the hospital the story covers freshman during their internship and how they plan their futures and how best to integrate into the Irish community at large. The question of migration also looms because promotion is painfully slow in Ireland and those wanting to make their mark in the world seem to be looking elsewhere.


Add to the hospital background which even to a layman was not very technical and quite interesting was the vagaries of life and death which faced everyone in this small village.


Very well told, unfolding gradually, with its ups and downs this was a very pleasant read.

Simple and delightful. At times it was a bit slow, but I’m lending part of that to my not having read the earlier books in the series.

Opening Patrick Taylor's latest novel in his 'Irish Country' series, is like settling yourself in your comfiest armchair with a cup of hot chocolate and a warm rug across your lap. At number 14 in the series, the fictional little Irish village of Ballybucklebo (County Down, Northern Ireland) is very familiar, as are its villagers and the two resident doctors, Dr Fingal O'Reilly and young Dr Barry Laverty as they go about dispensing medical treatment and compassion.

It's 1969 and while 'the troubles' are escalating around the country, the residents of Ballbucklebo are determined to continue living in peace and harmony. The doctors and the catholic priest and protestant minister get together to hatch plans to keep Protestants and Catholics living together as a community. Now six years since Barry completed his medical training and joined Fingal's practice, he reminisces about his year as a Houseman and plans for the future as he and his wife struggle to conceive a child. No big plots here, just a warm-hearted, gentle tale of a charming village and the everyday lives of its people - the perfect comfort read.

A wonderful warm series,I love the characters the setting.I feel like I am visiting old friends family as soon as I read the first pages.I have recommended this series over and over sit back read enjoy.#netgalley#macmillan/tor

Loving this series

I just discovered Dr. Taylor's Irish Country Doctor series a couple of months ago. First, I read book 5. Now Book 14. It was easy to figure out the characters, so no problems reading the series out of order. And, what a lovely series! The very interesting medical and Irish history from the mid 1900's is blended with an engaging plot and characters. I will be reading all of this series and waiting for more!

Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-arc of the Irish Country Family via Netgalley. This review is not required and reflects my honest opinion.

As time has progressed in Taylor's excellent series of books, the troubles of Northern Ireland and the conflict between Catholics and Protestants have become a visible part of the story. I really love the way that the author handled this in this charming novel.

His characters are from both sides of the conflict, but he shows how sectarian differences are not necessarily important because people can overcome them. You see this in many ways: the friendship between the village's two clergymen, the love of a Protestant man for a Catholic woman, the village coming together to celebrate and help their own.

This book tells two tales in alternate chapters. One story, taking place in the early 60" focuses on the main character's year serving in the Ulster hospital where he studied. The other, taking place in 1969 tells the on-going life of the village of Ballybucklebo.

I love the gentle pace of these novels and their characters who are so well-drawn and so human. This volume is one of my favorites so far.

For fan of Jan Karon's Mitford series...You'll fall in love with the town of Ballybucklebo and it wonderful host of characters! Fingal, Kitty, Kinky, Barry, Sue, Donnal, and so many more loveable, quirky, caring characters! This book was not without sadness, hardship, and strife, but...in the end, all is well :) Because, if all is not well, then it is not the end. I'm already looking forward to the next installment on this series!

An Irish Country Family by Patrick Taylor is a wonderful and heartwarming addition in his long-running Irish Country Village series. This book, while laced with humor, is often poignant and explores the true and multiple meanings of “family.” Set primarily in the mythical near-paradise of Ballybucklebo, the book features most of the characters that have been featured in previous books, including Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, the lynchpin of both Ballybucklebo and the series. As Taylor has occasionally done before, this book utilizes flashbacks to enlighten readers about a main character’s backstory, in this case, Dr. Barry Laverty during his final year of training before he becomes a fully licensed doctor.

The book is comprised of a series of overlapping arcs that Mr. Taylor masterfully meshes together to form a cohesive novel. The backdrop is Northern Ireland’s Ulster region in 1969, a time when sectarian unrest was widespread, with bombings and riots not uncommon, Ballybucklebo is the exception, an area unto itself where the citizens strive to live together in peace and unity. One arc explores the efforts made by several leading citizens to foster and continue this “live and let live” spirit not necessarily found elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Another arc explores the growth of Barry Laverty from newly minted doctor who easily falls in love to a now-married, somewhat older and wiser doctor quite capable of dealing with the challenges of being a country general practice physician.

I loved this book. I quickly became wrapped up in the characters and storylines, and appreciated how the book, even with its flashbacks, so ably maintained an interesting and satisfying progression as different issues arose and were dealt with. I am not sure how long the series will continue but, if this were to be the final entry, it would be a fitting ending. I highly recommend this book, which is a standalone. That said, I highly recommend that the reader read the entire series in chronological order. Five stars.

I (gratefully) received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was a not compensated nor required to write a positive review. The opinions stated are solely my own.

I really loved this story, the history, the details, the characters. The writing drew me immediately in and I found I was still thinking about it after I finished.

Another sweet entry to the list of Irish country novels. Always enjoyable. Always well written. Its fun to see what's new in town!