A lively journey through ancient and modern Irish culture, this book explores the elements that have shaped the music, language, and arts of the Emerald Isle. From the rich native tradition in pre-Christian times to the changes wrought by the arrival of Christianity in the fifth century, from the Golden Age of art and literature to the 19th-century Celtic revival, the rich history of Ireland is abundant in its cultural heritage. Also discussed is the place of Irish writing in the English language and a look at the international popularity of modernized traditional dances, as expressed by the Riverdance craze.

An accessible, clearly-written account of the IRA from its beginnings to today. It covers the origins and history of the organisation, its aims, the political and military thinking which has driven its activities, and the major personalities who have shaped the direction of the movement down through the years. The relationship with the Irish and British governments is examined, as well as the effects of the major bombing campaigns and the 1981 hunger strikes. It also explains the radical shift in thinking which led to the IRA seeking a political way towards the goal of Irish unity rather than pursuing the entrenched 'Brits Out' policy at the point of a gun. The background to the IRA ceasefire, and the many factors which contributed to its ending are looked at, as well as the prospects for a lasting peace in one of the world's most troubled arenas. This is intended as an easy-to-read overview of the IRA and the Northern situation, accessible to both the tourist and the interested general reader.

A clear, concise and fascinating introduction to Gaelic sport, covering Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and handball. The two greatest finals, the All Ireland Hurling and Football finals, are the largest amateur events in the world, drawing huge crowds and bringing many parts of the country to a standstill. This book deals with the origins of these games and their revival, the history of the championships and the GAA, the main rules and scoring systems, famous teams and players, great GAA grounds, All-Star awards and tours, the women's games, famous commentators, the gear and the trophies, compromise games with Aussie rules. A compendium of information on the fastest field sports in the world.

A short and entertaining history from earliest times to the present by one of Ireland's best-loved writers. It deals with prehistory, the Celts, Christianity, the Vikings, the Normans. The various conquests and rebellions are covered, including Cromwell, Wolfe Tone, the 1916 Rising. One of the main features is that it brings history up to date, providing an interesting account of both North and South over the past eighty years, clarifying the development and intricacies of the Northern 'troubles' and the many attempts to resolve them. Understanding and sympathetic, this little book gives a clear and stimulating grasp of Ireland, past and present.

From the mythological harp of the Dagda to Riverdance, this concise history of Irish traditional music and dance explores a rich spectrum of historical sources and folklore. It uncovers the contribution of the Normans to Irish dancing, the rote of the music maker in Penal Ireland, and the popularity of dance tunes and set dancing from the end of the eighteenth century to the present. It also follows the music of the Irish diaspora from the music halls of vaudeville to the musical tapestry of Irish America today.

This book investigates the general features of Gaelic clan society in the latter medieval period as well as its responses to institutionalised Anglicisation since the mid-18th century. Poems, songs and tales illuminate the traditional way of life.

This encyclopedia covers the entirety of the Celtic world, both through time and across geography. Although emphasizing the areas where Celtic languages and traditions survive into the present, the work does not slight the reaches of the Celtic empire, which was the largest language and cultural group on earth prior to the rise of Rome. In some 1,500 articles, many representing original research by the finest Celtic scholars, the work covers the Celts from prehistory to the present, giving comprehensive treatment to all topics from myth to music, religion to rulers, literature to language, government to games, and all topics in between.