The Oxford Companion to Irish History. Edited by S.J. Connolly, Paperback/S. J. Connolly

"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. With over 1,800 entries, this acclaimed 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 the alphabetical entries, the Companion includes a selection of historical maps depicting such time periods as Ireland circa 800, Ireland circa 1350, Ireland in the late 15th century, modern Ireland, and much more. There is also a subject index, which groups headwords into thematic batches to provide an alternative way to access the entries. Interest in Irish culture, politics, and society, both ancient and modern, never seems to falter. The Oxford Companion to Irish History will be valued by students as a reference work and treasured by general readers eager for information about the Emerald Isle.