Innkeeper's Fire is a keeper, a fascinating piece of literary art. It has been said of the celebrated Russian soprano Anna Netrebko that even if she were to learn many more new parts, the role of Natasha Rostov in War and Peace will remain one of the chief roles in her life. The same could very well be said of the author of Innkeeper's Fire in that even if he were to write many more new books, the role of Risteard Mac Grailt in this work will remain one of the chief male character roles in his life. That's because this type of calm, wise, bright, joyous, courteous, warm voiced, nuptial hermit and family man, this rural philosopher-poet of Eire who tells mythic stories and engages in homely conversations perfectly fits the author's imaginative, writing, and poetic possibilities. There is the quiet man and his lady of the valley of Ballylee, the quiet man and his lady of the lake isle of Innisfree, and now here the quiet man and his lady of the hill country of Deisi Mumhan. ..... vol. ONE of 2 .....