Eilis DIllon Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Eilís Dillon

Eilís Dillon was one of Ireland's most versatile and prolific writers, publishing over 50 books during her lifetime. Because the vast majority of her bibliography consists of standalone novels, you do not need to worry about a single, massive reading order. Instead, your entry point depends entirely on what genre you want to explore first.

For Historical Fiction Lovers: The Century Saga

If you want to experience Dillon's finest adult fiction, start with Across the Bitter Sea (1973). This epic family saga traces three generations of Irish history from the devastating Great Famine of the 1840s up to the Easter Rising of 1916. It is widely considered her masterpiece. Once finished, you should immediately read its direct sequel, Blood Relations (1978), which picks up in the aftermath of the 1916 Rising and follows the characters through the Irish War of Independence and the Civil War.

For Mystery Fans: The Inspector Kenny Mysteries

If you prefer cozy, atmospheric detective fiction, begin with Death at Crane's Court (1953). This vintage academic/spa mystery introduces Inspector Mike Kenny. It is followed by Death in the Quadrangle (1956). To round out her adult mystery phase, you can also read the standalone detective novel Sent to His Account (1954), which features a similar cozy charm but a different protagonist, Miles de Cogan.

For Children & YA Readers: Coastal Adventures

Dillon is celebrated for pioneering modern Irish children's literature. Her most famous children's adventure is The Island of Horses (1956), a thrilling tale of two boys who explore a mysterious, abandoned island off the Connemara coast. Other excellent starting points in this category include The Lost Island (1952) and The Singing Cave (1959).

The Inspector Kenny Mystery Series

Dillon wrote only three adult detective mysteries, two of which feature the same detective, Inspector Mike Kenny. These books are highly regarded by vintage mystery enthusiasts for their sharp observation of Irish social structures and their dry, witty humor. They should ideally be read in order of publication:

• Death at Crane's Court (1953) – Inspector Kenny is called to a luxury health hotel near Galway to solve a murder full of academic and upper-class grudges.
• Death in the Quadrangle (1956) – Kenny returns to investigate death threats (and eventually murder) targeting the unpopular president of a university. (Note: While some database catalogs list a publication year of 1986, this is a modern reprint date; the book was originally published in 1956).

The Historical Sagas (Chronological Order)

While Eilís Dillon did not write a formal historical series, her major adult novels cover different eras of Irish and European history. Reading them in historical chronological order provides a fascinating tour of Irish history from the 18th century to the mid-20th century:

1. Wild Geese (1983) – Set in the 18th century, this novel follows the young men who fled Ireland after the Treaty of Limerick to serve in foreign armies, spanning across Ireland, France, and revolutionary America.
2. Citizen Burke (1984) – Focuses on an Irish Catholic priest caught up in the turbulence of the French Revolution and its repercussions in Ireland.
3. Across the Bitter Sea (1973) – The seminal story of the Great Hunger, agrarian rebellion, and the lead-up to the 1916 Easter Rising.
4. Blood Relations (1978) – The direct sequel to Across the Bitter Sea, taking the story forward through the Irish revolutionary period and the birth of the Free State.

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

For readers who wish to follow Dillon's artistic development, here is the chronological order of her standalone novels. While these books do not share characters or plot continuities, they repeatedly return to themes of rural community, the sea, and Irish identity:

• The Lost Island (1952)
• The 'San Sebastian' (1953)
• Sent to His Account (1954)
• The House On The Shore (1955)
• The Island of Horses (1956)
• The Bitter Glass (1958)
• The Singing Cave (1959)
• The Head of the Family (1960)
• The fort of gold (1961)
• The "Coriander" (1963)
• Bold John Henebry (1965)
• The Road to Dunmore (1966)
• The Sea Wall (1966)
• The Cruise of the Santa Maria (1967)
• The Seals (1968)
• A Herd Of Deer (1969)
• Across the Bitter Sea (1973)
• The Shadow Of Vesuvius (1977)
• Blood Relations (1978)
• Wild Geese (1983)
• Citizen Burke (1984)
• The Seekers (1986)
• The Interloper (1988)
• The Island of Ghosts (1989)
• Children of Bach (1992)

What to Know Before You Start

Eilís Dillon was deeply connected to Irish history—her family had direct ties to the 1916 Easter Rising, as her uncle was the signatory Joseph Mary Plunkett. This familial connection heavily informs the authenticity and emotional weight of her historical novels, particularly Across the Bitter Sea and Blood Relations.

Her children's books and chapter books are notable for their respect for younger readers. Dillon avoided patronizing language, crafting high-stakes adventures set against the rugged west coast of Ireland. Many of her books feature Connemara, Galway, and the offshore islands, reflecting the folklore and Irish-speaking communities she loved.