a Drink Mrs. D.’s Ninth Child A Small Contribution to Occidental Mythology Not a Swan to Be Seen (mostly new chapter written for the book) In a Manner of Speaking Farewell Moreover, the book has an iconic disclaimer, through which the author denies the absoluteness of his point of view: "This Ireland exists: but whoever goes there and fails to find it has no claim on the author." "Es gibt dieses Irland: Wer aber hinfährt und es nicht findet, hat keine Ersatzansprüche an den Autor." The English translation of 1967 (translated by Leila Vennewitz) is amended by a foreword and an epilogue. In the short foreword Böll explains the need of an epilogue, where he can address intermediate social and economic changes: "The Ireland described in this book is that of the mid-1950s. My comments on the great changes that have taken place in that country since are contained in the epilogue." Atypical travelogue structure and controversial title Unlike the original series of articles or indeed typical travelogues, Irish Journal lacks any chronological and geographical order, as Böll restructured the order of the original articles heavily for the book. This results, for example, in a chapter of the single author travelling through Dublin, that is followed by a chapter where the same man is accompanied by his family on the way to the Achill Islands. Because of this lack of obvious structure, the chosen title is perceived as counterintuitive and is heavily discussed. Furthermore, it is suggested that the use of the word "diary" instead of "journal" might be closer to Böll's intended interpretation of the German "Tagebuch" as personal account. Although other titles have been discussed during the formation phase of the book, the motif of a journal/diary reoccurs in the articles throughout the years. Arguable similarities to the structure of Joyce's Ulysses Böll had a deep knowledge of and admiration for Irish literature. John Millington Synge, Jonathan Swift and Seán O'Casey are repeatedly referred to in Irish Journal. Moreover, it is argued that the structure of his Irish Journal was inspired by James Joyce's Ulysses. From the beginning, Böll was determined to have likewise 18 chapters. Like Ulysses his book has two beginnings and at least figuratively stretches over one day, as the last chapters reverse movement of an orange milk jug from the second chapter suggests. Additionally, both books have a change of perspective in chapter four