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Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.

Print Price: $24.50

Format:
Paperback
672 pp.
7 maps, 1 line diagram, 129 mm x 196 mm

ISBN-13:
9780199691869

Publication date:
March 2011

Imprint: OUP UK


The Oxford Companion to Irish History

Edited by S.J. Connolly

Series : Oxford Paperback Reference

'A companion to be cherished', 'judicious and authoritative', 'informative and entertaining', an 'invaluable work of reference' - these are just some of the phrases used by reviewers to describe the Oxford Companion to Irish History.

The history of Ireland has long been at the epicentre of political and academic debate. Interest in Irish culture, politics, and society, both ancient and modern, never seems to falter, not only in scholarly circles but also among the general public.

With over 1,800 entries, this Companion - now available in the Oxford Paperback Reference series - offers a comprehensive and authoritative guide to all aspects of Ireland's past from earliest times to the present day. There is coverage not only of leading political figures, organizations, and events but also of subjects such as dress, music, sport, and diet. Traditional topics such as the rebellion of 1798 and the Irish Civil War sit alongside entries on newly developing areas such as women's history and popular culture.

In addition to A-Z entries the Companion includes a section of maps showing the shape of modern Ireland, post-reformation ecclesiastical divisions in Ireland, political divisions circa 800, Ireland circa 1350, Ireland in the late 15th century, and the pattern of transport and communications in Ireland. There is also a subject index, which groups headwords into thematic batches to provide an alternative way to access the entries.

The Oxford Companion to Irish History is invaluable to students as a work of general reference and to the general public with an interest in the history and culture of Ireland. It also appeals to academics both for the longer analytical entries and as a source of reference for topics outside their immediate area of expertise.

Readership : Students of Irish and British history, lecturers, academics, teachers, general readers, Irish diaspora in USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Reviews

  • Review from previous edition: "a serious reference work which, unusually, is also a rewarding read for the casual browser...[a] good Companion to student, historian or lay reader alike"

    --Neil Johnston, Belfast Telegraph
  • "an invaluable work of reference that will inform, educate and might even entertain...this book has something valuable to tell armchair republicans, loyalist community workers, Dublin e-commerce execs, A-level students and everybody in between"

    --Joanna Braniff, Irish News
  • "a comprehensive and authoritative guide"

    --Daphne Abernethy, News Letter
  • "a marvellous companion for the economic and business historian"

    --Belfast Telegraph
  • "a fascinating and illuminating book which will provide hours of leisurely enjoyment"

    --David Granville, Irish Democrat
  • "a compilation which, without sacrificing scholarship, triumphantly lays before the reader so much that is both useful and new...this is a companion to be cherished"

    --Toby Barnard, TLS
  • "will provide an essential reference work for all journalists, historians, diplomats and indeed anyone who wishes to find out quickly the who, the when, and the what in Irish history"

    --Thomas Bartlett, Irish Times
  • "judicious and authoritative...invaluable to academics and taxi drivers alike"

    --Roy Foster, The Times
  • "packed with small nuggets of knowledge...consistently stimulating and instructive...irresistible for browsing"

    --Victoria Glendenning, Daily Telegraph
  • "fine book of reference"

    --Edward Pearce, History Today
  • "this book is a kaleidoscope of wonder...for a student or layman in love with a country this is a book to savour"

    --John Ryan, The Herald
  • "this magnificent book...deserves to be widely bought"

    --Maurice Manning, Magill
  • "a sensible mix of biographical, geographical and political entries, with a wide range of thematic essays, which allow the book to take off into a slightly different sphere from that of the ordinary reference book"

    --Charles Townshend, THES
  • "this excellent work provides sound guidance for seekers of information about Ireland's past and present"

    --Florence O'Donoghue, Catholic Herald
  • "informative and entertaining...well worth buying and keeping"

    --Maureen Keane, Irish Farmers Journal

List of Maps
Preface
Preface to the First Edition
Acknowledgements
Contributors
Note to the Reader
A-Z Entries
Maps
Subject Index

There are no Instructor/Student Resources available at this time.

Sean Connolly is Professor of Irish History at the School of History and Anthropology, Queen's University, Belfast. His previous posts have included Archivist at the Public Record Office of Ireland, Lecturer at St Patrick's College, Dublin, and Lecturer and later Reader in History at the University of Ulster. He is the author and editor of a number of titles.

A Dictionary of British History - Edited by John Cannon

Special Features

  • Takes an inclusive approach to Irish history, with entries ranging from horse racing to Home Rule, bogs to boxing, and Parnell to parliaments.
  • Includes a mix of concise definitions and in-depth analytical essays.
  • Presents recent developments in research on topics such as prehistoric Ireland and early historic Ireland.
  • Appendices include maps and a subject index.