Title: A brief history of Ireland /
Authors: State, Paul F., 1950-
Publisher: Facts On File,
Year: 2009
Subjects: Ireland History.
Abstract: From the Publisher: A Brief History of Ireland provides a broad narrative of the central events that have shaped the country, from the arrival of the Celts to recent economic developments that have brought booming prosperity and social change. The geographical proximity of Great Britain and a strained relationship between the peoples of the two isles had a profound impact on Irish development, culminating in the forced absorption of Ireland into Great Britain in 1801. The Irish struggled to retain their separate ethnic identity-defined by a distinctive language and cultural traditions and their Roman Catholic faith-and resolved to win independence. For more than a century, Ireland became hostage to the religious discord, outbreaks of armed rebellion, social and political instability, and famines that plagued the nation and its people. The Irish managed to survive, and, ultimately, they succeeded in securing their dream of national self-identity. Now a democratic and prosperous nation open to the world, modern Ireland is a synthesis of both Irish and English heritages.
Contents: Beginnings to the end of pagan Ireland (prehistory-431) -- Christianity arrives and thrives (431-795) -- From Viking invasions to royal confrontations (795-1169) -- From the Norman invasion to the Anglo-Irish administration (1169-1534) -- The planting of Protestant power (1534-1691) -- Ascendancy Ireland (1691-1800) -- From the Act of Union to the great famine (1800-1849) -- The drive for independence (1849-1922) -- Making modern Ireland (1922-1969) -- Two Irish visions in collision (1969-2000) -- Ireland in the twenty-first century : the pain-filled past recedes at last?