24 Swoonworthy Novels Inspired by Ireland

Dark Witch, by Nora Roberts
Set in County Mayo, Ireland, the place Iona Sheehan has come to learn about her ancestors thanks to the stories from her grandmother—this romance is as spellbinding as its setting. Iona meets family she never knew, and a handsome stable owner, Boyle McGrath. But falling for her homeland and for him become more complicated when secrets from the past are revealed.

Darkfever, by Karen Marie Moning
The start to this bestselling paranormal romance series begins with a murder. When Mac’s sister is murdered, she goes to Ireland, determined to track down the evil that took her family away. But soon she realizes the journey to the truth involves another world, living amidst her own: the world of the Fae. Can she find the truth, defeat evil forces, and find love—and get out alive?

Seduce Me at Sunrise, by Lisa Kleypas
Kev Merripan is half Roma, half Irish…so he knows can never have the woman he wants. His background, and a dangerous past, would prevent it forever. That is, until Winnifred Hathaway returns home and another suitor begins to compete for her affection.

Scandalous Desires, by Elizabeth Hoyt
Mickey O’Connor, an Irish man raised in London, is a self-made man on the wrong side of society. He has everything he wants, except one thing: a woman. Silence Hollingbrook has wedged her way into his heart after one night…and now, he has another chance to make her his.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham, by Julia Quinn
Jack Audley is a soldier, a lone-wolf…and now, unfortunately, named the Duke of Wyndham. A title he never asked for, in a society he reviles. But there is a chance that his claim is illegitimate…if his parents married in Ireland, before he was born. And then he meets Grace Eversleigh, and everything Jack thought he wanted is suddenly secondary to loving her.

The Princes of Ireland, by Edward Rutherfurd
An epic historical saga of the entirety of Irish history from Ireland in A.D. pre-Christian society through the founding of the Free Irish State, this novel follows fictional families through eras of Irish triumph and travails.

Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin
The coming of age story of a girl caught between homes: the one she left behind, in Ireland, and the one she might have to leave when family tragedy strikes, in Brooklyn. Eilis wanted a chance at a new life, but never imagined she would find love with an Italian man in America. But will she give it up, to honor her homeland?

The Girl in the Castle, by Santa Montefiore
Kitty Deverill has a lovely life living in Castle Deverill in beautiful Ireland. She and Jack O’Leary fall in love…a love threatened by a jealous friend, a war between the Irish and the British, and the destruction of her home. Downton Abbey fans will love this dramatic portrayal of upstairs-downstairs hope and heartbreak.

The Irish Princess, by Karen Harper
If you love historical narratives from outside perspectives, you will love the story of Elizabeth Fitzgerald, a girl born to Irish royalty…and a girl who knew the wrath of Henry VIII almost as much as his wives. The King imprisons her father, destroying her family, she must seek allegiances and avoid enemies in the perilous English court.

A Swift Pure Cry, by Siobhan Dowd
The death of Shell’s mother sends her religious father into a tailspin. As Shell tries to mourn while helping her brother and sister, her best friend Declan drops another bombshell: he’s leaving Ireland for America. Scandal, love, betrayal, and more can be found in this beautiful story of grief and growing up.

The Wild Irish, by Robin Maxwell
Elizabeth is Queen in England, having just proved victorious against the Spanish Armaada. But across the sea, Ireland is brewing with conflict. Grace O’Malley is more than just a pirate—she is the protector of her homeland against English invaders. And the only way to protect them now is to meet Elizabeth face-to-face.

Broken Harbor, by Tana French
The Dublin Murder Squad is back, with Mick Kennedy investigating cases other detectives couldn’t handle. When a man and his children are murdered and his wife ends up in the hospital, Mick is ready with the answers…until evidence arises that he cannot explain, and his own past begins to dangerously mingle with the present.

Circle of Friends, by Maeve Binchy
In the beginning, it was Benny and Eve. They grew up in Knockglen with different circumstances, but always had one another. In Dublin, their circle widens to include Nan and Jack. But happiness in this circle of friends is not meant to be, as friendships new and old are tested when secrets from the past are unearthed.

Hush, by Donna Jo Napoli
A young adult novel by celebrated author Donna Jo Napoli stars an Irish princess who is kidnapped by her kingdom’s enemies. She vows to remain silent in order to save herself—and the secrets of her kingdom—while her captors take her to a world she never thought she would see.

The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom
Lavinia arrives on a Virginia plantation in the years before the Civil War traumatized by her journey from Ireland, that left her parentless and alone. But her loneliness only increases, because even as she is invited into the good gracious of her masters, she is still apart from them—and even more apart from the slaves on the plantation, including Belle, the master’s illegitimate daughter.

Duchess of Sin, by Laurel McKee
Dublin is no match for Conlan McTeer, the Duke of Adair…but he is no match for Lady Anna Blacknall. When they meet in a nefarious location and succumb to a moment of temptation, nothing is ever the same…but years later, when they reunite, their passion certainly is.

The Wonder, by Emma Donoghue
From the author of Room comes a haunting tale of a nurse visiting an Irish village to witness a mystery…a girl no older than eleven, living alone in a cabin, who believes she is living off manna from heaven. As in, has survived months without food. Part mystery, part thriller, but all heart, this novel is not to be missed.

Forbidden Love, by Karen Robards
Exactly what the title suggests! Once, Megan was a student at Maam’s Cross Court. Justin—the sixth Earl of Weston—was her guardian. But she is no longer than young girl she once was, and now she wants him in her heart, and her bed. One catch? He’s married.

Lady of Conquest, by Teresa Medeiros
Conn is a fearless warrior of Ireland, commander to the Fianna, his soldiers. But one enemy he never thought he’d meet is a beautiful woman named Gelina—and she wants his life as payment for the ones he ruined. But instead of killing one another, they find themselves falling in love, instead…

Irish Lady, by Jeanette Baker
Meghann McCarthy has a new life It looks nothing like the one she had before, in Belfast, poor, and desperately in love with Michael Devlin—until he broke her heart. But then he gets accused of murder, and since she’s a lawyer…well, she’ll put it all on the line to save him.

Golden Surrender, by Heather Graham
Princess Erin is the beautiful heir to the Irish throne—a throne of vengeance, if she has anything to say about it, against one man: Prince Olaf of Norway, the one who destroyed her kingdom. But her father has other plans…such as marrying her off to the prince himself, thus uniting once warring kingdoms. Can she learn to love a man she hates?

Talk Sweetly to Me, by Courtney Milan
A romance between a British wallflower and an Irish rake is complicated by the fact that she has no interest in romance, or scandal, or anything he can offer…except, perhaps, his heart.

Irish Born, by Nora Roberts
All of the Concannon sisters are found in this trilogy bind-up! Maggie, the free-spirited girl who carves her own path; Brianna, the loving caretaker; and Shannon, the American who yearns to find her home in Ireland.

Irish Warrior, by Kris Kennedy
A captive Irish warrior, Finian finds help in the most unlikely of places…a beautiful woman, Senna de Valery, who wants out just as much as he does. Despite their attraction, they must focus on the difficult journey to come…including what it means for Senna, and the secret she holds that many men would kill for.