FOOTLOOSE IN THE WEST OF IRELAND

If one doesn’t finish this tape with a desire to tramp around western Ireland, it’s not the fault of writer-reader Harding. His enthusiasm for his subject is as infectious as his Irish pronunciation is perfect. (He’s English.) At one point he says, “In Ireland truth is not as important as legend,” and plenty of legends and memorable characters inhabit his prose. Another plus is that Harding has personally taken all these rambles, accompanied by various companions, and alternately hampered by bad weather and cheered by local pubs. Even so, it will take a dedicated armchair traveler or hiker to get through all eight cassettes. A detailed map enclosed with the package would help. Since the narrative isn’t cumulative, it could be enjoyed in segments. J.B.G. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 98]