Ireland and the British Empire

Oxford History of the British Empire Companion Series

by Kevin Kenny (editor)

This is the first comprehensive history of Ireland and the British Empire. It examines the different phases of Ireland's colonial status from the seventeenth century until the present, along with the impact of Irish people, politics, and nationalism on the Empire at large. The result is a new interpretation of Irish history and its place in the rise, expansion, and decline of the British Empire.

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction, British Literature, Politics

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2004

About the author

Kevin Kenny is Professor of History and Glucksman Professor in Irish Studies at New York University. He received his Ph.D. in American History from Columbia University in 1994, where his dissertation won the Bancroft Award. He taught at the University of Texas from 1994 to 1999 and at Boston College from 1999 to 2018. His first book, Making Sense of the Molly Maguires (Oxford University Press, 1998) examines how traditions of Irish rural protest were transplanted into industrial America. His second book, The American Irish: A History (Longman, 2000), offers a general survey of the field. A third book, Peaceable Kingdom Lost (Oxford University Press, 2009) analyzes the unraveling of William Penn’s utopian vision of harmonious co-existence between Native Americans and European colonists. Professor Kenny’s latest book, Diaspora: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press 2013), examines the origins, meaning, and utility of a central concept in the study of migration, with particular reference to Jewish, African, Irish, and Asian history. He is also editor of Ireland and the British Empire (Oxford University Press, 2004) and he has published articles on immigration in the Journal of American History and the Journal of American Ethnic History among other venues. His latest book, The Problem of Immigration in a Slaveholding Republic: Policing Mobility in the Nineteenth-Century United States (Oxford University Press, 2023), explains how slavery shaped immigration policy as it moved from the local to the national level in the period from the American Revolution through the end of Reconstruction.

Reviews

[Colonel Sir Cedric Wycliffe-Hawthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Ireland and the British Empire edited by Kevin Kenny

Ireland and the British Empire offers a nuanced and comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between Ireland and the British Empire from the seventeenth century to the present day. This work provides a fresh perspective on Irish history and its connection to the rise, expansion, and eventual decline of the British Empire, shedding light on Ireland’s political, cultural, and economic status within the empire.

Key Themes and Insights:

• Ireland’s Colonial Status: The book delves into the different phases of Ireland’s colonial experience under British rule. From the early stages of colonization to the pivotal moments during the 18th and 19th centuries, the volume provides an in-depth analysis of how Ireland fit into the larger framework of the British Empire, both as a colony and as a contested space for imperial power.

• Irish Politics and Nationalism: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to understanding the political landscape of Ireland, including the rise of nationalism and the influence of Irish political movements on both the Empire and global geopolitics. The volume also explores the Irish contributions to the British Empire and the reciprocal impacts these contributions had on Irish society.

• Ireland’s Role in the Empire’s Decline: The book examines Ireland’s evolving relationship with the British Empire, especially as Ireland began to assert its own identity and strive for independence. The gradual decline of British imperial control in Ireland is explored, providing context for the broader process of decolonization that unfolded throughout the empire.

• Cross-Imperial Connections: Through a careful analysis of Irish influence across the empire’s vast territories, including the Americas, Africa, and Asia, this volume expands on Ireland’s role in the global spread of British power. The authors show how Ireland’s involvement in the British Empire shaped not only the political and economic developments within Britain but also the cultural and social exchanges that were occurring worldwide.

Final Verdict:

Ireland and the British Empire offers a crucial, scholarly intervention into the study of Ireland’s role within the British Empire. Edited by Kevin Kenny, this volume challenges the traditional narrative of Irish history by incorporating it within the context of the larger imperial story. It successfully highlights the complexities of the relationship between Ireland and Britain, while offering a well-rounded analysis of Irish nationalism, politics, and its imperial past.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) — A solid scholarly work that provides an insightful perspective on Ireland’s integral, yet often overlooked, role in the British Empire. While it offers deep analysis, its scope and writing style might not appeal to all audiences.

[Lenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read this book gives you an in-depth history of the two nations.