Irish Journal is the English title of a travelogue by Heinrich Böll. It was first published in 1957 under the German title "Irisches Tagebuch" (Irish Diary) and appeared ten years later in English translation. It has shaped the German perception of Ireland for decades and continues to be influential. Structure and making of the book Origin in a series of newspaper articles Irish Journal consists of 18 short chapters, that are at best loosely connected and describe the author's experiences on Achill Island and other parts of Ireland. Most chapters of the book are based on individual articles ("Irish Impressions") that had been published from 1954 onwards in a German newspaper, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. From an early date onwards, there were intentions to eventually transform these articles into a book. For the book a considerable number of articles were shortened and rewritten into a first-person narrative. Moreover, some chapters were newly created, of which the first one (Arrival I) is the most noteworthy. Importance of the newly created first chapter The first chapter (Arrival I) carefully sets the tone for the entire book. It prepares the reader for the immersion into a different world and already touches on important recurring themes like religion, poverty and emigration, and a culture of drinking and caring. However, it also illustrates that not everything is always is as genuine as it seems to be on first sight. An emigrant woman who openly confesses that she no longer believes in God also makes clear that she would never dare not to go to church when she visits her family back in Ireland. This situation is referred to in later chapters as a warning that there might be more than meets the eye. Such reflections are not included in the original newspaper articles and might reflect the author's more sophisticated encounter of the country over the years. Components Irish Journal consists of the following 18 chapters: The Arrival I (new chapter written for the book) The Arrival II Pray for the Soul of Michael O’Neill Mayo – God Help US Skeleton of a Human Habitation Itinerant Political Dentist Portrait of an Irish Town (Limerick in the Morning / Limerick in the Evening) When God Made Time Thoughts on Irish Rain The Most Beautiful Feet in the World (new chapter written for the book) The Dead Redskin of Duke Street Gazing into the Fire When Seamus Wants