A selection of books reviewed by LAURENCE MACKIN
Irish Lake Marvels: Mysteries, Legend and Lore
By John DunneLiberties Press, €11.99
A scientist looking at the roughly 6,000 lakes of Ireland will no doubt start talking about glaciers, meltwater, limestone erosion and the like. But any real “expert” will tell you that yon lake was formed after the local chieftain dumped his faerie wife for a younger model, or that one was formed by Fionn MacCumhaill, who was having a spat with a Scottish giant and kept scooping up earth to fling it across the sea at him. This is a collection of the more fantastic origins of Irish lakes, with a large section given over to the many monsters that inhabit them, some of which have been spotted in recent decades (and some of which Dunne takes the time to easily dismiss as nonsense). The final section is given over to historical connections and curiosities that still puzzle scientists today, such as the Barisal guns of Lough Neagh, written about in this newspaper by the late Brendan McWilliams. This is an illuminating collection of history, legend and geography, though those looking for more tourist-focused information will find they are splashing about in the wrong pond. Unless it’s a salmon of knowledge you’re interested in.
Poland
Rough Guide, £14.99
If lakes are your thing, but you are intent on holidaying abroad, Poland could be the answer. Its expansive Mazury lake district, is one of the many key attractions highlighted in this guide. The main jewel in Poland’s outdoor crown, the Tatra mountains, gets a somewhat brief section, though there is a good stretch of lesser-known attractions covered in these pages, and the chapter on Warsaw is reassuringly thorough.