A Brief History of Ireland

Synopsis

From the dawn of history to the decline of the Celtic Tiger - how Ireland has been shaped over the centuries.

Ireland has been shaped by many things over the centuries: geography, war, the fight for liberty. A Brief History of Ireland is the perfect introduction to this exceptional place, its people and its culture.

Ireland has been home to successive groups of settlers - Celts, Vikings, Normans, Anglo-Scots, Huguenots. It has imported huge ideas, none bigger than Christianity which it then re-exported to Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the Tudor era it became the first colony of the developing English Empire. Its fraught and sometimes brutal relationship with England has dominated its modern history. Killeen argues that religion was decisive in all this: Ireland remained substantially Catholic, setting it at odds with the larger island culturally, religiously and politically. But its own culture and identity have stayed strong, most obviously in literature with a magnificent tradition of writing from the Book of Kells to the modern masters: Joyce, Yeats, Beckett and Heaney.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Prehistoric and Celtic Era

* Traces Ireland's origins back to the arrival of hunter-gatherers over 10,000 years ago.
* Discusses the development of farming and the emergence of the Celtic culture, which dominated Ireland for centuries.
* Example: The discovery of the Newgrange passage tomb, built around 3200 BCE, provides evidence of advanced Neolithic society in Ireland.

Chapter 2: The Early Christian Period

* Examines the introduction of Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century CE by St. Patrick.
* Explores the rise of monasticism and the spread of literacy through Ireland.
* Example: The Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript created by Irish monks in the 9th century, showcases the artistic and literary achievements of this period.

Chapter 3: The Viking and Norman Invasions

* Describes the Viking raids on Ireland beginning in the 8th century CE and their establishment of coastal settlements.
* Discusses the Norman invasion of 1169 CE and the profound impact it had on Irish society, language, and culture.
* Example: The ruins of the Viking city of Dublin, founded in the 9th century, offer a glimpse into the period of Viking influence.

Chapter 4: The English Conquest and the Penal Laws

* Chronicles the English conquest of Ireland in the 16th century and the subsequent imposition of Penal Laws that discriminated against Catholics.
* Explores the rise of Irish nationalism and resistance to British rule.
* Example: The Siege of Derry in 1689, during which Protestants defended the city against a Catholic siege, became a symbol of Irish resistance.

Chapter 5: The Great Famine and the Irish Diaspora

* Examines the devastating Great Famine of the 1840s, which resulted in widespread starvation and mass emigration.
* Discusses the subsequent establishment of Irish communities around the world, particularly in the United States.
* Example: The city of Boston, Massachusetts, has a large Irish population and has played a significant role in Irish-American history.

Chapter 6: The Irish Revolution and Independence

* Explores the rise of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Easter Rising of 1916.
* Discusses the Irish War of Independence and the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which led to the formation of the Irish Free State.
* Example: The Proclamation of the Irish Republic, issued during the Easter Rising, became a defining document of Irish nationalism.

Chapter 7: Ireland in the 20th Century

* Examines the political, economic, and social challenges faced by Ireland in the 20th century.
* Discusses the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the peace process, and Ireland's entry into the European Union.
* Example: The Good Friday Agreement of 1998, signed after decades of violence, marked a major step towards peace in Northern Ireland.

Chapter 8: Modern Ireland

* Explores Ireland's economic transformation in recent decades, known as the Celtic Tiger era.
* Discusses Ireland's role in the global economy and its cultural contributions to the world.
* Example: Ireland's film and music industries have gained international acclaim and recognition, with films like "The Quiet Man" and musical artists like U2 achieving global success.