From prehistoric times to the present day this comprehensive history presents the story of Ireland in bite-size chunks. With illustrations throughout this is an attractive and practical guide to Ireland's colorful history.

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.

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.

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.

This compact yet detailed book explores the 1916 Rising in Ireland, from the historical context, to a day-by-day account of the events, to biographies of the leading figures.