The Best Catholics in the World: The Irish, the Church and the End of a Special Relationship

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Derek Scally

The Best Catholics in the World

The Irish, the Church and the End of a Special Relationship

Derek Scally

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English

Penguin Books Ltd
24 March 2022

British & Irish history; Social & cultural history; History of religion; Church history; Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church

A compelling account of why Ireland was so very Catholic for so long, and why that changed

When Berlin-based journalist Derek Scally visited Christmas Vigil Mass in his hometown of Dublin, he found that like its congregants, the once-packed suburban church where he was an altar boy was quiet and slowly ageing. A collective identity lost, the dwindling power of the Church in Ireland was undeniable.

The Best Catholics in the World is Scally's response - an empathetic and engaging voyage into the story of Irish Catholicism. Researched over three years, and including dozens of interviews conducted in Ireland and further afield, The Best Catholics in the World is a lively, original, moving and thought-provoking account of a country grappling with its troubling past and confusing present.

By: Derek Scally
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 245g
ISBN: 9781844885275
ISBN 10: 1844885275
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 24 March 2022
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Derek Scally has written for the Irish Times since 2000. He is based in Berlin. His first book, The Best Catholics in the World, was a number one bestseller and was shortlisted for Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards 2021.

Reviews for The Best Catholics in the World: The Irish, the Church and the End of a Special Relationship

An extraordinary story ... At once intimate and epic, this is a landmark book -- Fintan O'Toole A great achievement ... brilliant, engaging and essential -- Colm Toibin An engaging and incisive book that asks what keeping the faith cost us, how it shaped us and what it means now -- Caelainn Hogan * author of Republic of Shame * Remarkable ... [Scally] examines the past with disarming honesty and a sense of compassion. His book is essential reading for anyone concerned about history and forgetting -- Michael Harding Offers some challenging end-of-an-era reflections on being Catholic in the scandal-ridden church of contemporary Ireland -- Mary McAleese Absolutely thrilling. A wonderful blend of personal story, journalism and history - it goes to unexpected places and asks questions we don't usually consider -- Oliver Callan Accessible, original, thought-provoking and very engaging -- Marie Collins A wonderful book -- Catriona Crowe Reflective, textured, insightful and original ... rich with history, interrogation and emotional intelligence -- Diarmaid Ferriter * Irish Times * A highly intelligent, patriotic work * Business Post * Compelling * Irish Examiner * Excellent and timely * Sunday Times *