A History of Ireland in 100 Objects

by Fintan O'Toole

Objects don't just have stories, they tell stories. There is a certain paradox that surrounds them. They seem precise and fixed, literally tangible, yet they can put us in touch with the past in a direct and immediate way. What they said to their contemporaries may be different from what they say to us. Whether it's a silver tea urn from Georgian Dublin or an illuminated page from the Book of Kells, historical objects help us gain a more complex understanding of our past. When so much about the past - especially the Irish past - is contested, physical things can provide secure anchors in history. They ought to make things simpler, and yet, when an object is actually examined, this apparent simplicity quickly falls away. Such interesting objects tend to provoke more questions than they can answer. Over the past two years, Fintan O'Toole, the literary editor of the Irish Times, has selected 100 objects - the majority of which can be found in the National Museum of Ireland - to narrate a history of Ireland. These objects have been chosen simply for their ability to illuminate moments of change, development, or crisis. Articles on these historical objects appeared weekly in the Irish Times and are now being collected in book form by the Royal Irish Academy. The book will act as a reminder that people have inhabited Ireland for quite some time and have survived innumerable ordeals and challenges. *** "The objects....span the centuries from 5000 B.C. to 2005....a wooden fish trap from the Mesolithic era, found preserved in a bog in Co. Meath....St. Patrick's Confessio (460-90), the oldest surviving example of prose writing in Ireland....an emigrant's suitcase from the 1950s tells the story of Ireland's diasporic expansion. The final object was selected by readers from a shortlist of ten. A decomissioned AK47 assault rifle, it speaks to Ireland's recent history of strife and commitment to peace; its links with the larger world, and its own unique story." - Sheila Langan, Irish America Magazine, June-July 2013. *** "Thoughtfully written and thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, A History of Ireland in 100 Objects is both a fascinating browse and a repository of historical highlights made tangible, highly recommended." - The Midwest Book Review, Wisconsin Bookwatch, The World History Shelf, May 2013

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction, Historical, Irish Literature

250 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2013

About the author

Fintan O'Toole is a columnist, assistant editor and drama critic for The Irish Times. O'Toole was born in Dublin and was partly educated at University College Dublin. He has written for the Irish Times since 1988 and was drama critic for the New York Daily News from 1997 to 2001. He is a literary critic, historical writer and political commentator, with generally left-wing views. He was and continues to be a strong critic of corruption in Irish politics, in both the Haughey era and continuing to the present.

O'Toole has criticised what he sees as negative attitudes towards immigration in Ireland, the state of Ireland's public services, growing inequality during Ireland's economic boom, the Iraq War and the American military's use of Shannon Airport, among many other issues. In 2006, he spent six months in China reporting for The Irish Times. In his weekly columns in The Irish Times, O'Toole opposed the IRA's campaign during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fintan_O...

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book before traveling to Ireland. Not only does it share insight on the artifacts themselves, but also gives the reader additional information which helps understand each item's significance to the whole of Irish history. Additionally, when we visited the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, the artifacts featured in the book are marked to indicate that they are featured in this book specifically. The placards in the museum do not share the same information as the book does, at least not in depth, so I truly enjoyed getting to know more about them and seeing them in person.

[Fatima Siddique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Organizing a history book by using artifacts as markers is a really fun idea, but I think the book is not enjoyable unless you already have a solid knowledge base. It's not for people who are new to Irish history.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent photography, with succinct but informative descriptions. A glorious slice of Irish history across the ages.

[Judy Ugonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe that this book was published ten years before it crossed my radar. It's such a lovely book. It's a treasure trove of full-page photographs of artefacts, each one accompanied by a page of informative and interesting narrative. The book starts with a mesolithic fish trap dating from c 5000BC and ends with a decomissioned AK47 dating from 2005. There is information on where to see each item in the book, which is particularly helpful if you plan a cultural trip to Ireland. All the celebrated Irish medieval treasures are featured including the Tara broach and the Book of Kells as well as lesser known objects. Fintan O' Toole's introduction is readable and fascinating and the book is nicely produced. Wonderful!

[Covadonga Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesantísimo recorrido por la historia de Irlanda, desde la Prehistoria al siglo XXI, a través de 100 objetos reales, preciosa edición muy documentada. El nivel de inglés es exigente para mi, pero de todos modos disfruté mucho.

[Ted Manahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating!

[Mary Anne]

OK, COULD'VE BEEN BETTER