The Princess of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd

 The story starts with Celtic Ireland, a world mired in the druids’s spiritual darkness, where kings defend ancient traditions to death. It further explores the rivalry between ancient tribes and chiefs, the story of St. Patrick, conversion from paganism to Christianity, and its lose ending the existence, only in Ireland, of divorce. It explores many invasions including Vikings, feudalism, and ends with failure of Silken Thomas’ revolt, Irish rebellion against British. 

The Irish Saga begins in AD 430 at undisturbed territory of Dubh Linn and with its chieftain Fergus. He takes his daughter Deirdre to Lughnasa festival, high summer harvest offerings. At the ceremonies she notices an attractive athlete, Conall, son of Morna, and the nephew of the High King. At the same time her father arranges a marriage for her with a man from Ulster…

20 yeas later with Bishop Patrick people of Ireland start converting from paganism to Christianity. First Fergus gets baptized by Bishop Patrick himself.

400 years later Vikings rule the North Seas penetrating through the ports of Ireland and Britain. The story of Fergus family tree continues with Osgar. He sees his calling as a monk. At Glendalough, he develops his talents in calligraphy and illustrations. 

In the 12th century, “the island of Ireland continues to be split between ancient tribal lands and rival chiefs.” The family tree of Fergus continues with a priest Gilpatrick – meaning the Servant of Patrick – as his ancestor was baptized by St Patrick himself.

The story is intertwined with intricate characters of other families’ generations and continues until the first part of the 16th century. It is well-written and holds well until the last page of 765.

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