A Narrow Sea: The Irish–Scottish Connection in 120 Episodes

by Jonathan Bardon

Based on the popular BBC Radio Ulster series of the same name, A Narrow Sea traces the epic sweep of Ireland's relationship with Scotland, exploring the myriad connections, correlations, personalities and antagonisms that have, over the years, defined the relationship between these two spirited neighbours.Roving freely across the centuries, from the first migrations of the regions' intrepid Mesolithic pioneers, to the grand colonial projects of the Vikings, Normans and Stuarts, this is the dramatic story of how one culture came to found two very different nations and, in doing so, project its influence as far afield as North America and Australasia.In 120 brief and accessible episodes, A Narrow Sea offers a stirring and panoramic view of a connection that has shaped the course of history on both sides of the narrow sea.

Genres: History, Ireland, Scotland

530 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful set of small bites of history, this book illumines many of the major historical connections between Ulster and Scotland throughout recorded (or deducible) history. I was mostly interested in the very earliest eras covered, but I'm glad I hung in there for the more modern history as well. There are a substantial number of entries that touch on the emigration of people from these regions to America, and some that discuss Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as well. It's not the right book for someone who wants a deep dive, but to get acquainted with some of the players and the major events in Ulster-Scottish history, it's an excellent first pass.

[Cian Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, beautiful book.

I originally bought it to learn more about the epic clan warfare between heavy hitters like the O’Neills, O’Donnells, Campbells, and MacDonells during a time of constantly shifting allegiances between Gaelic,, Norse, and Norman families.

It finishes with an incredible final third that goes deep into Belfast and Glasgow’s heydays as two of the prime industrial powerhouses of the world, the horrors of working conditions during the industrial Revolution, and the material shallowness of the ideas that make the Orange and Green communities believe that they’re chalk and cheese.