The Irish Country Books follow Barry Laverty, a freshly graduated general practitioner who begins his career in the fictional town of Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland in 1964. The young doctor is apprenticed by Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, a curmudgeonly older physician.

The novels chronicle Dr. Laverty’s trials and tribulations as he adjusts to his new small-town life and interacts with the colourful villagers. Dr. O’Reilly is also a central character in several books, which explore his adventurous past and wartime years.

Praised for their wit, humour, engaging characters, and delightful depiction of life in the Irish countryside, the series is filled with Irish charm, colloquialisms, and food. Recipes are often included at the back of the books. There is also An Irish Country Cookbook, which includes several short stories related to the series.

It’s recommended to read the books in order to fully enjoy Dr. Laverty’s personal journey in Ballybucklebo and to get to know all the villagers. Paperbacks of the series are currently being reissued in 2024. Additionally, there are several short stories related to the series, such as Home Is the Sailor: An Irish Country Doctor Story (Book 8.5) and The Wily O’Reilly: Irish Country Stories, a collection of Patrick Taylor’s earliest O’Reilly stories written before the series.