A fascinating look at the lifestyle and values of ancient Ireland Thousands of years ago, Celtic Ireland was a land of tribes and warriors; but a widely accepted, sophisticated and surprisingly enlightened legal system kept society running smoothly. The brehons were the keepers of these laws, which dealt with every aspect of life: land disputes; recompense for theft or violence; marriage and divorce processes; the care of trees and animals. Transmitted orally from ancient times, the laws were transcribed by monks around the fifth century, and what survived was translated by nineteenth-century scholars. Jo Kerrigan has immersed herself in these texts, revealing fascinating details that are inspiring for our world today. With atmospheric photographs by Richard Mills, an accessible introduction to a hidden gem of Irish heritage

'Who were Ireland's first settlers? How did they live? What did they believe? The answers to these questions and more are to be found in the late Laurence Flanagan's acclaimed guide to pre-Celtic civilisation, 'Ancient Ireland: Life Before the Celts'

This engaging book traces the history, archaeology, and legends of ancient Ireland from 9000 B.C., when nomadic hunter-gatherers appeared in Ireland at the end of the last Ice Age to 1167 A.D., when a Norman invasion brought the country under control of the English crown for the first time. So much of what people today accept as ancient Irish history—Celtic invaders from Europe turning Ireland into a Celtic nation; St. Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland and converting its people to Christianity—is myth and legend with little basis in reality. The truth is more interesting. The Irish, as the authors show, are not even Celtic in an archaeological sense. And there were plenty of bishops in Ireland before a British missionary called Patrick arrived. But In Search of Ancient Ireland is not simply the story of events from long ago. Across Ireland today are festivals, places, and folk customs that provide a tangible link to events thousands of years past. The authors visit and describe many of these places and festivals, talking to a wide variety of historians, scholars, poets, and storytellers in the very settings where history happened. Thus the book is also a journey on the ground to uncover ten thousand years of Irish identity. In Search of Ancient Ireland is the official companion to the three-part PBS documentary series. With 14 black-and-white photos, 6 b&w illustrations, and 1 map.

Often imitated but never equalled, the Old Ireland in Colour books are beloved by Irish readers at home and abroad, and in this, the third book of the series, the authors have uncovered yet more photographic gems and breathed new life into them in glorious colour. All of Irish life is here – from evictions in Connemara to the mosgt elegant drawing rooms in Dublin. Famous faces from politics and the arts appear alongside humble labourers and farmers and impish children from all kinjds of backgrounds light up this book’s glorious pages. With endless surprising details to pore over in every picture, and captivating and illuminating text, Old Ireland in Colour 3 is a winning addition to this spectacular series of bestsellng books.

In this unique guide to Britain's megalithic culture, rock n' roller Julian Cope provides an inspired fusion of travel, history, poetry, maps, field notes, and pure passion.

And so it was that when he met Aoife, a stranger to those parts, he was struck by her beauty and blind to her evil.

Ireland features some of Europe's most significant antiquities, such as its passage tombs, ring forts, castles, Neolithic settlements and monastic sites. This guide explores the mythology and history of the country, as well as including suggestions for the best places to stay, eat and sleep.