What do you think?
Rate this book
The Irish Difference: A Tumultuous History of Ireland's Breakup with Britain
A fascinating and entertaining investigation into what makes Ireland so different from its neighbors, by a respected Irish historian.
For hundreds of years, the islands and their constituent tribes that make up the British Isles have lived next door to each other in a manner that, over time, suggested some movement towards political union. It was an uneven, stop-start business and it worked better in some places than in others. Still, England, Wales and Scotland have hung together through thick and thin, despite internal divisions of language, religion, law, culture and disposition that might have broken up a less resilient polity. And, for a long time, it seemed that something similar might have been said about the smaller island to the Ireland.
Ireland was always a more awkward fit in the London-centric mini-imperium but no one imagined that it might detach itself altogether, until the moment came for rupture, quite suddenly and dramatically, in the fall-out from World War I. So, what was it - is it - about Ireland that is so different? Different enough to sever historical ties of centuries with such sudden violence and unapologetic efficiency. Wherein lies the Irish difference, a difference sufficient to have caused a rupture of that nature?
In a wide-ranging and witty narrative, historian Fergal Tobin traces the relationship between Ireland and her neighbors, taking in everything from sports and culture to religion and politics, and reveals what it is that makes the Irish so different.
For hundreds of years, the islands and their constituent tribes that make up the British Isles have lived next door to each other in a manner that, over time, suggested some movement towards political union. It was an uneven, stop-start business and it worked better in some places than in others. Still, England, Wales and Scotland have hung together through thick and thin, despite internal divisions of language, religion, law, culture and disposition that might have broken up a less resilient polity. And, for a long time, it seemed that something similar might have been said about the smaller island to the Ireland.
Ireland was always a more awkward fit in the London-centric mini-imperium but no one imagined that it might detach itself altogether, until the moment came for rupture, quite suddenly and dramatically, in the fall-out from World War I. So, what was it - is it - about Ireland that is so different? Different enough to sever historical ties of centuries with such sudden violence and unapologetic efficiency. Wherein lies the Irish difference, a difference sufficient to have caused a rupture of that nature?
In a wide-ranging and witty narrative, historian Fergal Tobin traces the relationship between Ireland and her neighbors, taking in everything from sports and culture to religion and politics, and reveals what it is that makes the Irish so different.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published July 14, 2022
19 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 17, 2022
A really good, wide ranging history book. Fergal Tobin covers a huge chunk of time pointing out the differences between Ireland and Britain, and in doing so, clearly shows how Britain's conquest of Ireland was never going to work . He does this with a light touch and in a very witty way. This makes this book very readable particularly fir a reader who may not always find history books enjoyable.
March 6, 2023
I don't know what everyone is smoking, but this is not an easy-to-absorb intro to the Irish problem. First off, Feargal is kind of a jerk (he starts off with a ridiculous straw man argument about "modern liberals" not wanting to admit when arguments are about religion).
But worse, this book is just not readable. The text is practically impenetrable with its mixed metaphors and colloquialisms.
"All words on the wind, but the wind carried a virus that would eventually be fatal to the English. Towards the bottom of the Gaelic heap, with all its poverty, there was added to the cocktail the toxin of religion." (p. 89) What is even happening?! A virus-laden wind that is a toxic cocktail and somehow there's a heap in there too?
A few paragraphs later: "What followed was a case of the dog that did not bark." (p. 91) Two paragraphs later: "Spain had shot its bolt and was out of the game."
He just cannot stop himself from peppering his rambling monologue with weird idioms. He's also strangely obsessed with front and back doors.
He seems unable to keep himself on topic when there's a rant to be made. At one point, he discusses the portrayal of the Irish as backward and that this was a common tactic to justify colonialism. But then he goes on a rant about censorship:
"Recently, Facebook has been embarrassed by the discovery that the American Declaration of Independence contains racist language and hate speech. There are references to 'merciless Indian savages' which Facebook now seems unacceptable and has removed from its platform. This is one of the foundation documents of the United States bowdlerized in the service of modish obsessions: talk about Victorian's and piano legs!" (p. 97) What in heavens name does this have to do with your point, Feargal?
It reminds me of the Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips in its florid ramblings, which are technically English but require repeated readings to make any sense at all.
In short, find another book and leave Feargal to bloviating at cocktail parties.
But worse, this book is just not readable. The text is practically impenetrable with its mixed metaphors and colloquialisms.
"All words on the wind, but the wind carried a virus that would eventually be fatal to the English. Towards the bottom of the Gaelic heap, with all its poverty, there was added to the cocktail the toxin of religion." (p. 89) What is even happening?! A virus-laden wind that is a toxic cocktail and somehow there's a heap in there too?
A few paragraphs later: "What followed was a case of the dog that did not bark." (p. 91) Two paragraphs later: "Spain had shot its bolt and was out of the game."
He just cannot stop himself from peppering his rambling monologue with weird idioms. He's also strangely obsessed with front and back doors.
He seems unable to keep himself on topic when there's a rant to be made. At one point, he discusses the portrayal of the Irish as backward and that this was a common tactic to justify colonialism. But then he goes on a rant about censorship:
"Recently, Facebook has been embarrassed by the discovery that the American Declaration of Independence contains racist language and hate speech. There are references to 'merciless Indian savages' which Facebook now seems unacceptable and has removed from its platform. This is one of the foundation documents of the United States bowdlerized in the service of modish obsessions: talk about Victorian's and piano legs!" (p. 97) What in heavens name does this have to do with your point, Feargal?
It reminds me of the Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips in its florid ramblings, which are technically English but require repeated readings to make any sense at all.
In short, find another book and leave Feargal to bloviating at cocktail parties.
August 5, 2022
An amusing and well written tale of the difficult relationship between Britain and Ireland. The author makes some bold claims that are not always entirely agreeable but a wry smattering of humour and anti- Tory sentiment helps. Very much enjoyed this book.
March 21, 2022
An outstanding read for anyone interested in the historic relationship between England and Ireland. The author's central belief is that Ireland has never comfortably fit with English rule. This discomfort goes back to the time of Strongbow and ever since that time it's been successive attempts to fit uncooperative jigsaw pieces together. His survey is wide-ranging taking in Oliver Cromwell, various legislative attempts to resolve the land issues, voting rights, the suppression of the Catholic church and the eventual disestablishment of the Church of Ireland, the rise of the GAA and the Gaelic League. And it's all held together in a chatty style - you could almost imagine it as extended discussion over a pint. Great stuff
May 10, 2023
It is extremely rare for me not to finish a book once I have started reading but I was unable to get past chaper two of this one. One reviewer said that it reads a little like a conversation over a pint and he was right. The problem with pub discussions is that they can get heated and they can also go off at wild tangents. This book does both. I managed to get through all the rants in the Preface, thinking that once I started the book properly, it would be different. It wasn't and Ireland didn't get much of a look in either. I'll go elsewhere to find out about the history of Ireland.
July 26, 2022
Seems the first few (5) chapters are merely setups for the real meaty chapters (6-15). The second half is definitely more informative than the first... and with less opinionated editorial comments.
The most interesting descriptions cover post-famine Ireland and the rising nationalism that ensued because of the British response or lack thereof, to the famine. Not a bad read.
The most interesting descriptions cover post-famine Ireland and the rising nationalism that ensued because of the British response or lack thereof, to the famine. Not a bad read.
January 10, 2023
This book covered a vast time period and so while interesting, it's easy to get lost in at times. I also found the amount of focus on the earlier period was not matched with modern times at all towards the end.
November 30, 2024
Tough to know what to say, really. There's some really interesting stuff in here, and the tying together of things like Ulysses and the GAA is good, but as I got to the end I felt like the idea that the book was promoting was never really answered. If purporting to explain why the Irish are different to, say, the Welsh or the Scots, it can't just then be a story of what happened in Ireland, it surely needs some aspect of comparison to the other nations too.
The one other quibble would be this; I love a good obscure word as much as the next person, but when you are peppering a book with them it seems much more like an author is trying to show off how clever they are, as opposed to making a subject less opaque to the reader - and surely that's the real aim?
The one other quibble would be this; I love a good obscure word as much as the next person, but when you are peppering a book with them it seems much more like an author is trying to show off how clever they are, as opposed to making a subject less opaque to the reader - and surely that's the real aim?
July 5, 2024
I gave up. From Cricket to The GAA. to Hurling. From Silken Thomas to The War of The Earls to The Famine & Immigration to Manchester and America. Cork/Kork the Bread basket of the country. A national diet of buttermilk & potatoes adding an inch in height and a ruddy complexion & weight bearing skills bar none, a great bonus to a badly paid Irish laboring force seeking work in the UK. Universities & education also covered.
Exhausting read. My bad just wasn't up to it. Well done Fergal you'd do well on Mastermind.
Exhausting read. My bad just wasn't up to it. Well done Fergal you'd do well on Mastermind.
May 23, 2025
A different look at Ireland’s long struggle for independence from Britain. Yes, it identifies the Famine and the 1916 Rising as watershed moments. But it also focuses on why the Irish situation was different to, say, the Scottish case.
April 14, 2023
A witty and informative look at just what makes the Irish and British so different
July 14, 2024
Very good but ended too abruptly
March 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and the history between the countries.
The book is informative and easy to read, I wish I had read as a buddy read as it would have been nice to discussion it with someone as we read.
The book is informative and easy to read, I wish I had read as a buddy read as it would have been nice to discussion it with someone as we read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews