I went looking on the web – Amazon etc., - for a copy of Francis O’Neill’s ‘Irish Folk Music – A fascinating hobby’ to give to a friend after they expressed interest on seeing my copy.
Came across only two copies for sale – one for £8, and another for $603 !!! – both 1973 edition. Is it really that rare ?
“Is that really rare?”
The book or the tactic? 
I dunno about the book, particularly, though I do know you can access the tunes online, but the tactic of putting an absolutely outrageous price on a book, even one still in print (how I first encountered the practice), is one that is not uncommon, nor easily understood. I guess they must subscribe to the “There’s a sucker biorn every minute” school of merchandizing… quite popular today, as always.
I was going to mention that uilleann pipemaker Bill Haneman has put it up for](http://billhaneman.ie/history.html%22%3Efor) free on the web, but then I remembered you wanted to give the book as a gift, so I won’t mention it at all … oops!
djm
not many tunes in this book - it’s more a collection of O’Neill’s research and so on, not one of the tune books.
and thanks, DJM, I’ve seen Bill’s site, told my friend about it, but there is really nothing quite like sitting down, comfortable chair, glass of wine (or a good g&t), good music playing, and a good book on the knee - not quite the same trying to balance a laptop and a glass of whatever.
I hope you snapped up the £8 copy!
Meanwhile, countless blessings to Bill Haneman. I’ve had more than a few happy hours balancing laptop, etc. while reading his online version. It’s a good 'ern!
That’s why Gawd made TV trays. 
djm