The Story of Irish Rugby

Reviews / Votes

well-researched, punchily written and stunningly illustrated ... accurate, celebratory, impartial and knowledgeable ... will be treasured by all rugby fans, new and old -- Children's Books Ireland's Annual Reading Guide 2024 Ideal for any young rugby fan, Ger Siggins' text is knowledgeable but accessible, and chronicles lots of interesting facts about the history of rugby in this country, and Graham Corcoran's colourful illustrations make the words come alive -- Irish Independent I thought the book was very good. I liked all the facts and figures about the history of Ireland at the World Cup. My favourite part of the book was reading about the players that Ireland have had on British and Irish Lions teams over the years. I would recommend this book for 9 to 12 year olds who have an interest in rugby because it has a lot of information in it and I also thought the illustrations are very detailed. Gerard Siggins also wrote the Rugby Spirit series and I really enjoyed those too. I would rate this book 9.5 out of 10 - Thomas, 6th class, Knockavilla NS, Co Tipperary -- Seomra Ranga



I love this book because it was very informative, easy to read, and I found the illustrations really good. This book covers everything - Joe O'Donnell, Co. Sligo -- RTE Radio 1's Oliver Callan show the perfect primer for a young person just getting into the game, artfully written by Siggins, author of the popular Rugby Spirit series. Beautifully illustrated by Graham Corcoran, it's a must for any rugby mad youngster -- Irish Times - Malachy Clerkin's best sports books of the year Destined to be a winner amongst rugby fans both young and old! -- Rollercoaster Reviewed & recommended on RTE TV's The Toy Show 2024 a great read and an ideal stocking filler for a young rugby fan -- Irish Daily Mail Ideal for any young rugby fan, Siggins' text is knowledgeable and accessible, and chronicles lots of interesting facts about the sport's history in this country, and Corcoran's colourful illustrations make the words come alive -- Irish Independent the perfect introduction -- Irish Daily Mail From international tournaments to schools rugby, no stone is left unturned in capturing the spirit and significance of rugby to the island of Ireland. Gerard Siggins brings a lifetime of passion and knowledge to every page of this book, managing to strike a formidable balance between faithful detail and broad accessibility. Each page is loaded with information about players, venues, regions and outstanding matches, giving the reader a sense of the prominence and importance of the game to Irish life. Graham Corcoran's illustrations are immersive, combining a robust use of colour and bold lines with a convincing sense of momentum. A compelling introduction to rugby in Ireland, this book will be treasured by seasoned fans and those exploring the game for the very first time -- RTEJr's Book Club