Histories
Here are books I've found useful when educating myself on the political and economic history of Ireland - invaluable background to understanding how and why certain record collections came into being and why many never existed or failed to survive. History of course can never be completely objective and authors make their own interpretations of events and embellish the narrative with their own opinions, but if reading more widely makes you stop and think hard about what our ancestors lives were really like day-to-day, then we've remembered them as more than just names on a list.
The images are mostly the editions I own and have read, but click on any image to take you to third party pages for further information on the latest available edition. Of course many of these titles can be sourced elsewhere, including second-hand. In fact, for historical context in particular, second-hand bookshops, websites and stalls at family history fairs are a treasure trove of more esoteric material, often illustrated with rare photographs.
Another great hunting ground for antiquarian books on Ireland is the Internet Archive where international libraries and academic institutions often publish digital versions of their out of copyright treasures. The IGRS Facebook page recently alerted me the Boston College Libraries' Irish History books published on here with 756 books listed - well worth settling down for a browse.
The images are mostly the editions I own and have read, but click on any image to take you to third party pages for further information on the latest available edition. Of course many of these titles can be sourced elsewhere, including second-hand. In fact, for historical context in particular, second-hand bookshops, websites and stalls at family history fairs are a treasure trove of more esoteric material, often illustrated with rare photographs.
Another great hunting ground for antiquarian books on Ireland is the Internet Archive where international libraries and academic institutions often publish digital versions of their out of copyright treasures. The IGRS Facebook page recently alerted me the Boston College Libraries' Irish History books published on here with 756 books listed - well worth settling down for a browse.
John Rocque's Dublin (2010) - Colm Lennon & John Montague
This is a beautiful book and even if you don't believe you have any Irish ancestors who ever set foot in Dublin, buy it to admire the intricate detail of the maps and engravings of the 18th century city. John Rocque was a surveyor and cartographer with an eye for detail and design - every single house is depicted. Be sure to take note of the older street names that precede some we are more familiar with today as these will be the places named in contemporary records. It's also fascinating to see how compact the Georgian city was compared to its current sprawl.
You can find full size reproductions of his map for sale in some of the bookshops in Dublin (I admire one above my desk every day) or you can buy it from the Royal Irish Academy website. The book is also for sale on the same website.
This is a beautiful book and even if you don't believe you have any Irish ancestors who ever set foot in Dublin, buy it to admire the intricate detail of the maps and engravings of the 18th century city. John Rocque was a surveyor and cartographer with an eye for detail and design - every single house is depicted. Be sure to take note of the older street names that precede some we are more familiar with today as these will be the places named in contemporary records. It's also fascinating to see how compact the Georgian city was compared to its current sprawl.
You can find full size reproductions of his map for sale in some of the bookshops in Dublin (I admire one above my desk every day) or you can buy it from the Royal Irish Academy website. The book is also for sale on the same website.
Story of Ireland (2011) - Neil Hegarty (Introduction by Fergal Keane)
This book accompanied the 5-part BBC documentary series presented by Fergal Keane in 2011. It takes the reader from the very earliest years of Christianity in Ireland right through to the modern day. As with any history of Ireland, you never get too far away from religion and the constant threat from its immediate eastern neighbour when it comes to explaining cause and effect in the ebb and flow of the island's fortunes. I enjoyed learning more about Ireland's role in Europe through the centuries as perhaps as genealogists, it's all too easy to dwell on the English legal and cultural influence on many of the surviving records.
You can also buy the series DVD - Fergal Keane is a good presenter and, except for an excess of background fiddly-diddly music, he presents an entertaining story, illustrated with original images.
This book accompanied the 5-part BBC documentary series presented by Fergal Keane in 2011. It takes the reader from the very earliest years of Christianity in Ireland right through to the modern day. As with any history of Ireland, you never get too far away from religion and the constant threat from its immediate eastern neighbour when it comes to explaining cause and effect in the ebb and flow of the island's fortunes. I enjoyed learning more about Ireland's role in Europe through the centuries as perhaps as genealogists, it's all too easy to dwell on the English legal and cultural influence on many of the surviving records.
You can also buy the series DVD - Fergal Keane is a good presenter and, except for an excess of background fiddly-diddly music, he presents an entertaining story, illustrated with original images.
The Course of Irish History (2012) - TW Moody & FX Martin (Original Editors)
This book was first published in 1967 and is comprised of a series of essays written by many different contributors covering sequential time periods. This is very useful if you are trying to interpret evidence found in a specific span of years, say land leases at the time of the Penal Laws. Unfortunately Amazon does not offer the "Look Inside" feature for this book which would list the essay titles as this would let you see how the latest edition brings the history very much up to date.
This book was first published in 1967 and is comprised of a series of essays written by many different contributors covering sequential time periods. This is very useful if you are trying to interpret evidence found in a specific span of years, say land leases at the time of the Penal Laws. Unfortunately Amazon does not offer the "Look Inside" feature for this book which would list the essay titles as this would let you see how the latest edition brings the history very much up to date.
Modern Ireland 1600-1972 (1988) - RF Foster
I picked this book up second-hand and confess that I still need to plough through most of the chapters. The prose is quite dense and some of the footnotes take up more than half the page. The reviews are effusive though so I really ought to persevere with this one...
I picked this book up second-hand and confess that I still need to plough through most of the chapters. The prose is quite dense and some of the footnotes take up more than half the page. The reviews are effusive though so I really ought to persevere with this one...
Byrne's Dictionary of Irish Local History
I was introduced to this book by a review by my good friend and fellow genie, Claire Bradley, on her excellent website (do sign up for her newsletter.) It is packed with words and phrases that crop up in various Irish records that might not be familiar, especially legal terms that might appear in deeds. There are also some very good short explanations of key acts that have shaped the legal landscape in Ireland and produced particular types of documents. Although some sections appear to be available for free online (see my Digital Libraries page for a link), I bought mine relatively inexpensively online.
I was introduced to this book by a review by my good friend and fellow genie, Claire Bradley, on her excellent website (do sign up for her newsletter.) It is packed with words and phrases that crop up in various Irish records that might not be familiar, especially legal terms that might appear in deeds. There are also some very good short explanations of key acts that have shaped the legal landscape in Ireland and produced particular types of documents. Although some sections appear to be available for free online (see my Digital Libraries page for a link), I bought mine relatively inexpensively online.
A Book of Ireland (1959) - Frank O'Connor (editor)
Another one of my second-hand treasures (lob the title into any search engine and you should come up with some candidates on all the usual online marketplaces.) I include it as a great example of the type of book that will give you a very different perspective on Irish history. This book was one of a series called Collins National Anthologies which included all of the other nations of the British Isles plus Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India - all fertile hunting grounds for Irish kin too, so of course I'm in the market for old copies of these editions!
The book is comprised of prose, poetry and photographs, all reflecting on Irish life. The chapter on customs and beliefs, for example, paints a vivid picture of country marriage customs and funeral rites, with the following serious reflection on Irish matrimony!
"Getting married is no carefree, personal matter; one's whole kindred help, even to suggesting candidates."
Another one of my second-hand treasures (lob the title into any search engine and you should come up with some candidates on all the usual online marketplaces.) I include it as a great example of the type of book that will give you a very different perspective on Irish history. This book was one of a series called Collins National Anthologies which included all of the other nations of the British Isles plus Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India - all fertile hunting grounds for Irish kin too, so of course I'm in the market for old copies of these editions!
The book is comprised of prose, poetry and photographs, all reflecting on Irish life. The chapter on customs and beliefs, for example, paints a vivid picture of country marriage customs and funeral rites, with the following serious reflection on Irish matrimony!
"Getting married is no carefree, personal matter; one's whole kindred help, even to suggesting candidates."
(c) Irish Geneaography - 2022
