Lonely Planet's new pocket guide to Irish language & culture is an essential read for anyone looking to learn more about life, language and history in the Emerald Isle

When a guidebook publisher like Lonely Planet publishes a language guide, it's not usually very exciting. Language guides are pretty similar, and the kind of book you stuff in your luggage alongside your favourite guidebook – and then never use because everyone speaks English anyway. But their new book, Irish Language and Culture, is different. Very different.

Irish Language and Culture isn't a language book and it isn't a guidebook, but you'll learn more about Ireland the Irish than from either of those. The book is about Irish life, as it's lived today – Irish families, Irish sport, religion, slang, eating and (of course) drinking, cussing, regional differences, politics, history that's relevant and even a bit on dating too.

The best bits of the book are probably unquotable here – some of the hilarious Irish expressions you might hear, and what they mean. The Irish language is wonderful for poetic everyday speech, in expressions like 'he's fit to mind mice at a crossroads', or 'he has an eye like a stinkin' eel'. As for 'he has a neck like a jockey's....' Well, you'll have to buy the book to read the rest of that one.

And Irish Language and Culture is a book you'd be recommended to buy, if you're thinking of going to Ireland, have been to Ireland, or just have an interest in the place. In fact even if you don't, it's an entertaining read – and you'll probably end up wanting to go anyway.

Irish history isn't ignored, but it's explained in a way that makes you understand its relevance to today. There's a section on the various Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, and the leading Irish political figures you'll hear about, from King Billy to Gerry Adams.

The bluntness of the Irish use of language is something that can surprise you, if you're not expecting it. If you're at all puritanical about swearing, then either don't visit Ireland or read this book to warn you beforehand what to expect. Irish expressions are littered with words that wouldn't be heard in polite company in other countries, but they're said openly and usually used for their vigour rather than to give offence.

Irish food and drink is well-covered too. If somebody asks you 'do you want to go for some sambos', you'll need to know they mean sandwiches, and if you agree to a few scoops, you're not going to get an ice-cream. There's something on every page of this little pocket book's 256 pages to either entertain or educate you. It's just what it says on the cover: Great craic!

Irish Language and Culture is published by Lonely Planet at £4.99 in the UK and $8.99 in the USA

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