Irish History: A Captivating Guide to the History of Ireland

by Captivating History

Did you know that a poet named William Drennan was the first to name Ireland the “Emerald Island”? Free History BONUS Inside! He was referring to the green hills of Ireland’s countryside in his poem “When Erin first rose.” The countryside is what defines Ireland probably the best since, for a long time, it played a major role in the economy and culture of the nation. From early primitive settlements to 20th-century villages, Ireland’s countryside remains a mystical place where an idealized and romanticized life awaits. But not everything about Ireland is as magical and beautiful as so many modern tourists believe. The Emerald Island was a place of conflict that developed throughout the centuries and perhaps lingers even today. By overcoming the difficulties that troubled the Emerald Island since the medieval ages, the proud Irish men and women forged a wealthy nation, turning Ireland into a role model for many European countries. This guide through Ireland’s history offers a new and unique perspective on the events and people who shaped the island’s landscape and its nation. This book will take you across time and into the past, all the way to the mythological Tuatha Dé Danann and the first inhabitants. Find out about the first settlers, nature worshiping druids, high kings, and the many wars they fought. Learn about how Christianity came to the island and the myth of St. Patrick. Dwell into the early days of the Norman invasion, and learn about the first division of the island—a division that will never mend itself as it became normality for life in Ireland. By opening the pages of this book, you will open the door into the past of one island nestled on the western fringes of Europe, and you will How the Celts first arrived in IrelandHow Christianity became entangled in the very fabric of Ireland’s existenceHow the Romans influenced this islandWhat the Vikings were searching forHow the Irish come to invite the Norman invasionWhy the Protestant minority ruled over the Catholic majorityHow Ireland became part of the United KingdomHow it gained its independenceThe sad and destructive period of the TroublesWhy Ireland is one of the richest economies of Europe todayAnd what the relations are like between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland todayAnd much more!Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about the history of Ireland!

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2021

Reviews

[Zain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irish History is one of the most complicated books that I have read in a while. I mean, it appears that everyone has invaded it. But that never stopped them from fighting for their freedom.

They had to deal with Christian missionaries invading their island to prevent their worship of the pagan religions of their ancestors. Although they didn’t seem to mind that.

They also didn’t get too upset when they were invaded by the Normans. Probably because they tended to adopt the local culture and customs.

But I guess their biggest problems began when Henry VIII excommunicated himself from the Catholic Church, because the Pope wouldn’t let him annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

So he openly leaves the Catholic Church and becomes The Anglican Church-The Church of England. Which makes him Protestant. So the UK feels that Catholic Ireland should also become Protestant, but they are having none of it.

So, the war over religion has begun and it seems to last forever, and the country is divided by religion. Protestant north and the Catholic south.

And then the fight for independence from the United Kingdom, which obviously favors the north. This also seemed to take forever. And the violence just doesn’t stop.

The only reason that the violence has faded over the years is because today’s generation doesn’t appear to understand what is the necessity.

So, give yourself a chance to learn some Irish history. And you will probably discover why some sociologists believe that more people of Irish descent live outside of Ireland than in it.

[RG Lago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another chapter in the charming but sometimes flawed "Captivating History" series. My edition came with a few typos here and there, but nothing egregious. It also sometimes (especially in later chapters) tends to get bogged down in political minutiae, but nonetheless, it's a quick read and quite an informative one if you're looking for the bullet points of this fascinating country's history.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this, I had no idea the Irish were invaded by so many groups: Celts, Vikings, Danish, Romans, Normans, Napoleon, the Spanish, and English monarchies. It was also shocking to see how much misery was in the country, with a north European famine that started in 1315 and lasted for years, plus the Black Death came later. Of course, this was generations before the Potato Famine between 1845-52.

As is their habit, Captivating History started in the dim mists of earliest times and moved forward to more recent history. Prior to reading this, I was unaware that Oliver Cromwell and his troops went to Ireland. He ravaged the country and abolished Catholicism as an acceptable religion. He turned citizens against their neighbors. Cromwell executed priests and paid rewards for info about those who continued to profess Catholicism.

I was stunned to read that in 1641, Catholics owned three-fifths of the total Irish agricultural lands. By the late 1660s, they owned only one-fifth of the land. Some of this history was difficult to read; the Irish Catholics were ruled by English Protestants who seemed to make sure the Irish stayed in their second-class status. By the 1770s, Irish Catholics were 75% of the population but only 5 % of the landowners. The only people who could vote were landowners, so elections were perfunctory. Since the English overlords lived in England, the Iris starved because the income was sent to England.

Interestingly enough, as the American Revolution continued, England realized they needed the Irish, who were rumbling about freedom. So the British repealed many acts that gave the Irish more freedoms. However, they were still controlled by British politics. When the Irish National Land League was formed they got concessions due to something new, called a boycott (it came from an Irish land agent Captain Charles Boycott).

England has much to answer for in controlling and keeping another country in servitude. This is an appalling history lesson that the British should not be proud of. Frankly, all this just proves that religion is the cause of most of the troubles of the world. This is probably the most depressing history I've ever read. I can't understand why anyone stayed in Ireland -- either part.

[Eli Ring · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and dirty summary of Irish history. Basically, their history has been a veil of tears. Much of the sorrow came from outside invaders such as Vikings and the often brutal rule of Great Britain. A lot of it, however, seemed to be self-inflicted by petty rulers with petty grievances, seeking to expand their power. The usual story of human history.

This is not a comprehensive history by any means, but it does his on some things I have often wondered about such as the potato famines, the mass migration of Irish to the US, and the origins of the conflict in Northern Ireland and the IRA.

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this to be a difficult read. While I learned some things about Ireland, I struggled reading it as it was confusing, jumped around a lot chronologically, and kept naming many, many figures in Irish history without really building strong characterizations and narratives of them. The book could have benefitted from a few timelines, maps, and graphics to make its points. Sorry, but this book was not a "Captivating Guide" as the title would have you believe - it was a continuous description of how different groups united to fight other groups. I was hoping this book would have been better.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irish History: A Captivating Guide to the History of Ireland: Captivating History by Matt Clayton. I had been reading books set in Ireland and became interested in seeing what I could learn quickly about the history of Ireland. Luckily, I found this series of books. They are easy to read and understand and are not bogged down in boring details. It is an overview of the history and the fight to be free from British rule. It was really enjoyable.

[Lukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zafascynowała mnie historia Irlandii i postanowiłem bliżej ją poznać. Udało mi się dzięki tej książce. Historia Irlandii jest naprawdę ciekawa, dość skomplikowana, nie jest taka prostolinijna, wiele w niej jest zwrotów, wpływów z zewnątrz. Jednak duch Irlandzki wydaje się być jasny i przetrwał tysięce lat. Irlandia to ciekawe miejsce. Lubię odwiedzać ten kraj. A historia tej wyspy mnie fascynuje.

[Michael Nield Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

leave asside all the myths it is clear that the Irish can only know their history if they say tell me about the times when religion didnt divide us. repression united the majority against the minority

[Kathleyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read but simple

I would recommend this to someone just getting into history as it gives an overall view of it. At times it felt a bit confusing in terms of jumping between historical events and their years but other than that it was good!

[Robert M. Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Religion of Early Ireland

The book is complete and a good read with one exception. The development of how much the Druids effected life and how it was lived was touched on lightly leaving a misconception of life during their time.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

We listened to this as a family while driving around Ireland. I think it may have been too detailed, so nothing felt memorable. Everything blended together and it felt very dry and confusing. We didn’t end up finishing, but did a solid seven hours before finally throwing in the towel.

[Harold Harkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

📖 📚 Well written book by Captivating History, will buy from again love these history books by Captivating History looking forward Reading other history Books. 📖 📚

[John Jackse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed history

If you have relatives that came Ireland. I do and found it interesting at the depth of detail and conflict over the time

[Mary Tuohy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative look at Irish history and the strong determined people of such a beautiful island.

[Francis Fanning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great whistle-stop tour around a country and culture that is very mistakenly overlooked in UK national curriculum.

This is currently FREE on Amazon kindle deals so I’d reccomend giving it a go (May 2022)!