Ireland: A New Economic History, 1780-1939

by Cormac Ó Gráda

Cormac Ö Gráda unites historical research with economic theory in this original and stimulating book, which will be essential reading for all students of Irish history. Within a broadly chronological framework, Ireland offers a fresh, comprehensive examination of all the well-known puzzles of Irish economic history including the inevitability of the Famine, the role of land tenure in agricultural backwardness, and the failure of the economy to industrialize. O'Gráda's account is both accessible, with technical discussion kept to a minimum, and intellectually exciting.

Genres: History, Economics

552 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ó Gráda has provided an excellent account of the Irish economy but I feel this book would have benefited from a few more sociological explanations.
A section gave weight to the question as to whether Ireland was particularly lawless and I was surprised that this question was even entertained. He did dispute it and said it was not the case, but I felt like it wasn't even worth mentioning. Maybe I'm a bit too idealistic.

He didn't mention, or at least very briefly addressed the jute industry in Ireland which at its height in the early 1900s employed over 2,000 individuals.

By leaving certain things out it presented Ireland's economy in a slightly different perspective.
Possibly I'm being overly critical.

Anyway, a great piece of economical analysis, but minor sections like those just left me feeling as if the author was going out of his way to examine Ireland in a negative light.

[Martin Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good breakdown of the economic values of Ireland, the Irish and her importance. Enthralling account which uses most of the other faculties at a students fingertips to perfection. Gives perspectives that one may overlook when thinking about Ireland. Strips back the notion of Ireland.