Hitching for Hope: A Journey into the Heart and Soul of Ireland

Written by Ruairí McKiernan

Narrated by Gary Furlong

A journey through Ireland by thumb—ears open to the stories, dreams, and struggles of the people encountered along the way

In the wake of one of Ireland’s worst economic recessions and a period of personal burnout from years of relentless social campaigning and organizing, Ruairí McKiernan set out to answer these questions after he was invited to speak about citizens’ views of Ireland. How, he wondered, might he use this platform to capture people’s stories in an honest and authentic way—to give voice to the multitudes that so often go unheard?

By turns exciting, provocative, and sincere, Hitching for Hope: A Journey into the Heart and Soul of Ireland is the tale of a pilgrimage both deeply personal and explicitly political. McKiernan embarks without an itinerary, not knowing with whom he may speak, what he may hear, or where he may sleep each night. As he reflects on his past, faces his fears, and listens to the struggles, hopes, and dreams of Ireland’s people, he excavates a human resilience often obscured by the media.

Our modern world is rife with twists and turns as numerous and daunting as the roads that wind across the Irish countryside. However, when we will ourselves to take a leap, to stick out our thumbs when the going gets tough, and to lend a hand (or a lift) to others in need, we harness a collective power that cannot be shaken.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing
• Release date: Mar 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781603589598

Ruairí McKiernan

Ruairí McKiernan is a renowned Irish social campaigner, Fulbright scholar, former Presidential appointee to Ireland’s Council of State, and European Director of the American nonprofit Narrative 4. He is also the host of the popular Love and Courage podcast, founder of the pioneering SpunOut.ie national youth charity, and a founding member of the Uplift organization. In 2017, the global social entrepreneur foundation, Ashoka, named McKiernan one of the top ten people leading social change in Ireland.

Reviews for Hitching for Hope

[Ludmilla Rowinsky · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As usual, the narrator brought the book to life. It’s just the highlights of the author’s experiences. A little outdated, but a great look into the Irish psyche—well, some of the Irish, anyway.