What do you think?
Rate this book
The Irish Difference: The Story of Ireland's 400-Year Journey to Independence
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.
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 20, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 8, 2023
Interesting look at Irish history from the arrival of the Normans to the creation of the Irish free state/Republic of Ireland 🇮🇪 and its relationship with England and British Isles
December 19, 2025
On the back cover of this book the question is put:
'For hundreds of years, the islands (of Britain and Ireland - Liam) and their constituent tribes...have lived next door to each other in manner that, over time, suggested movement toward political union...no one imagined that the smaller island...would detach itself...until the moment came for its dramatic departure.
'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?'
That is exactly what Fergal Tobin attempts to illuminate and explain with remarkable success and a very amusingly light touch. Anyone wanting an introduction of remarkable concision to the history of Ireland since the Reformation could do no better then read this book.
He packs a great deal of history, politics, culture and sociology into 280 pages and manages not to be either dull or pedantic. Do I agree with everything? Of course not but there are no great howlers and my disagreements are ones of emphasis and maybe interpretation. But his main thrust of trying to explain why Ireland was, and is, different is both cogent but also possibly more relevant in its application then might have first appeared. The genesis of the book was the Brexit vote that took the UK out of EU and the almost complete absence of interest, concern, knowledge or discussion of the huge problems the UK's removal from Europe would pose for the UK in general, and the constituent part of the UK that is Northern Ireland (please see my footnote *1 below).
So the book attempts to explain why Ireland was never successfully integrated into the United Kingdom and why the UK was never actually very interested or concerned with Ireland.
A fine introduction to a complex problem which should wet anyone's appetite to learn more.
*1 I live in London and can attest to the almost complete absence of mention, never mind consideration of the problems, that the UK's insistence on 'hard exit' would have in Northern Ireland nor that it would undermine the international treaties and agreements underlying the Good Friday Agreement which ended the Northern Ireland 'Troubles' and potential reignite that bitter conflict. The insouciance with which the Conservative government both threatened the peace of Northern Ireland and then effectively abandoned the 'precious Union' (one of the fatuous descriptions to emerge from PM Teresa May's failed negotiations to solve the self created nightmare Brexit threatened to create) could only be viewed by many Irish people with a combination of schadenfreude and sympathy for the way Ireland's 'Loyalists' who were being forced to realise that their 'loyalty' had never been appreciated never mind wanted.
'For hundreds of years, the islands (of Britain and Ireland - Liam) and their constituent tribes...have lived next door to each other in manner that, over time, suggested movement toward political union...no one imagined that the smaller island...would detach itself...until the moment came for its dramatic departure.
'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?'
That is exactly what Fergal Tobin attempts to illuminate and explain with remarkable success and a very amusingly light touch. Anyone wanting an introduction of remarkable concision to the history of Ireland since the Reformation could do no better then read this book.
He packs a great deal of history, politics, culture and sociology into 280 pages and manages not to be either dull or pedantic. Do I agree with everything? Of course not but there are no great howlers and my disagreements are ones of emphasis and maybe interpretation. But his main thrust of trying to explain why Ireland was, and is, different is both cogent but also possibly more relevant in its application then might have first appeared. The genesis of the book was the Brexit vote that took the UK out of EU and the almost complete absence of interest, concern, knowledge or discussion of the huge problems the UK's removal from Europe would pose for the UK in general, and the constituent part of the UK that is Northern Ireland (please see my footnote *1 below).
So the book attempts to explain why Ireland was never successfully integrated into the United Kingdom and why the UK was never actually very interested or concerned with Ireland.
A fine introduction to a complex problem which should wet anyone's appetite to learn more.
*1 I live in London and can attest to the almost complete absence of mention, never mind consideration of the problems, that the UK's insistence on 'hard exit' would have in Northern Ireland nor that it would undermine the international treaties and agreements underlying the Good Friday Agreement which ended the Northern Ireland 'Troubles' and potential reignite that bitter conflict. The insouciance with which the Conservative government both threatened the peace of Northern Ireland and then effectively abandoned the 'precious Union' (one of the fatuous descriptions to emerge from PM Teresa May's failed negotiations to solve the self created nightmare Brexit threatened to create) could only be viewed by many Irish people with a combination of schadenfreude and sympathy for the way Ireland's 'Loyalists' who were being forced to realise that their 'loyalty' had never been appreciated never mind wanted.
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 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.
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.
August 19, 2023
Fergal Tobin’s book is an exploration of why Ireland could never be peacefully absorbed into the United Kingdom in the way that Wales, Scotland and, indeed, England were. Tobin begins by distinguishing between three types of British settler in Ireland – the old English, being the Norman settlers from the 1100s, new English – being Elizabethan adventurers and settlers from the 1600s, protestant and the backbone of Dublin Castle administration, and the Creoles, being the settlers that followed Cromwell from the 1650s onward and were the basis of the Anglo-Irish ascendancy. He identifies 2 key inflection points in Irish history. The first is Henry VIII’s reformation (You can talk of your protestant minister/ and his church without meaning or faith/ but the cornerstone of his temple/ is…) and, crucially, the failure to extend it to most of Ireland. The second is the famine, which made Irish reconciliation to English rule impossible. Tobin interweaves among these key pillars the histories of the intervening years. The rebellions, like those of Silken Thomas, the Desmonds, the O’Neill in 1603, 1798. The failure of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy to provide national leadership and its demise at the Act of Union in 1800. The Cromwellian land settlement and its unravelling in the land acts of the late 1800s culminating in its destruction by Wyndham’s Act of 1903. And more.
It’s a superb book full of striking insights and confident observations. Unlike so much of Irish history, Tobin is unsparing in his assessments and has no time for sentimental indulgence. He is utterly uncompromising in his assessment of the importance of Catholicism to Irish identity and the importance of violent revolution and his book is wonderfully devoid of the usual hand-wringing and cringing that marks commentary on these questions. A stirring history of the country, essential reading. Throw your Fintan O’Toole out the window and buy this.
It’s a superb book full of striking insights and confident observations. Unlike so much of Irish history, Tobin is unsparing in his assessments and has no time for sentimental indulgence. He is utterly uncompromising in his assessment of the importance of Catholicism to Irish identity and the importance of violent revolution and his book is wonderfully devoid of the usual hand-wringing and cringing that marks commentary on these questions. A stirring history of the country, essential reading. Throw your Fintan O’Toole out the window and buy this.
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.
September 5, 2026
While I did enjoy the book, I don’t think it was easy to digest. I think there were too many social and cultural references that were left unexplained and not easy to understand if not heavily involved with Irish politics or history.
I think also this book sometimes read as thought it were a text message, a kind of commentary that was too colloquial or informal.
I think also this book sometimes read as thought it were a text message, a kind of commentary that was too colloquial or informal.
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 3, 2025
64/∞
‼️ The Irish Difference: The Story of Ireland's 400-Year Journey to Independence by Fergal Tobin ‼️
Rating: click on the link below to see how der Kaiser 👑 has rated this book
📚 Length: 320 pages
🔊Audiobook: 8 hrs and 45 min
Why you should read this book?
💡 To develop your understanding of distinct Irish culture.
💡 To learn about 'the tyranny od distance.'
💡 To see what implication had the Great Famine on today’s Ireland.
My very first encounters with Irish happened in Wales. 🏴 Back then I thought that everybody living in the UK 🇬🇧 is English 🏴, but then there was this girl who worked with me at the bar… I cannot recollect her name. When there was Brexit, she deleted me off her Facebook, because I said in a FB post that all British are cunts for betraying and leaving the EU. Life. 🤷♂️ She said she is Irish, I believe she said somewhere from Belfast. Anyway, all I remember from talking to her is that she said there are no jobs in Northern Ireland and the only way to make was to leave and go to the UK. The first hand Irish dream I would call it. Then I haven’t heard about Ireland for years. In Germany at the university, I met two girls who were studying German there. That was shock for me, British are usually not bothered to learn second or third language, unless they are children of immigrants and their excuse is that they are 'bad' when it comes to languages. As you can see my initial judgment of Irish was very 'British centric' and I was presuming that all the inhabitants of the British islands are the same or at least very similar. My surprise was that the Irish were alright with studying foreign languages. I was also told by one of these Irish girls that the weather in Ireland is very different to the one on the Continent. In Ireland it rains a couple of times a day even when it is summer and even when it is sunny and you are leaving your home. So you always better take your goddam umbrella with you and your raincoat. After that I visited Ireland once. But I went only to Dublin and it was… meh… 😬 Shit weather, loads of homeless and expensive. I did not get to know the country properly, until I moved there for my masters couple of years later and then I got a slightly different picture of what Ireland actually is. Now, that was the reason why I read this book, because I wanted to fill some gaps in that picture.
…
Continue to read at:
https://www.kaisersbook.review/2025/0...
Feel free to like, share and comment or recommend books/courses you find inspirational yourself. I’m keen to hear about them.
Coming Up Next:
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
Peace 🧘♂️✌️🌱
‼️ The Irish Difference: The Story of Ireland's 400-Year Journey to Independence by Fergal Tobin ‼️
Rating: click on the link below to see how der Kaiser 👑 has rated this book
📚 Length: 320 pages
🔊Audiobook: 8 hrs and 45 min
Why you should read this book?
💡 To develop your understanding of distinct Irish culture.
💡 To learn about 'the tyranny od distance.'
💡 To see what implication had the Great Famine on today’s Ireland.
My very first encounters with Irish happened in Wales. 🏴 Back then I thought that everybody living in the UK 🇬🇧 is English 🏴, but then there was this girl who worked with me at the bar… I cannot recollect her name. When there was Brexit, she deleted me off her Facebook, because I said in a FB post that all British are cunts for betraying and leaving the EU. Life. 🤷♂️ She said she is Irish, I believe she said somewhere from Belfast. Anyway, all I remember from talking to her is that she said there are no jobs in Northern Ireland and the only way to make was to leave and go to the UK. The first hand Irish dream I would call it. Then I haven’t heard about Ireland for years. In Germany at the university, I met two girls who were studying German there. That was shock for me, British are usually not bothered to learn second or third language, unless they are children of immigrants and their excuse is that they are 'bad' when it comes to languages. As you can see my initial judgment of Irish was very 'British centric' and I was presuming that all the inhabitants of the British islands are the same or at least very similar. My surprise was that the Irish were alright with studying foreign languages. I was also told by one of these Irish girls that the weather in Ireland is very different to the one on the Continent. In Ireland it rains a couple of times a day even when it is summer and even when it is sunny and you are leaving your home. So you always better take your goddam umbrella with you and your raincoat. After that I visited Ireland once. But I went only to Dublin and it was… meh… 😬 Shit weather, loads of homeless and expensive. I did not get to know the country properly, until I moved there for my masters couple of years later and then I got a slightly different picture of what Ireland actually is. Now, that was the reason why I read this book, because I wanted to fill some gaps in that picture.
…
Continue to read at:
https://www.kaisersbook.review/2025/0...
Feel free to like, share and comment or recommend books/courses you find inspirational yourself. I’m keen to hear about them.
Coming Up Next:
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
Peace 🧘♂️✌️🌱
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.
April 30, 2026
In many respects this is the book that you read once you have acquired, at the very least, a skeletal knowledge of Irish history. The more the better perhaps. Without any I suspect it would be wasted.
There’s a whiff of a thesis about it, and leaving aside the argument, I am not completely convinced by the structure, especially the last third of the book. The first two thirds is very good.
If nothing else it provides enough information to join into a spirited debate Guinness in hand.
There’s a whiff of a thesis about it, and leaving aside the argument, I am not completely convinced by the structure, especially the last third of the book. The first two thirds is very good.
If nothing else it provides enough information to join into a spirited debate Guinness in hand.
January 3, 2024
Because the author assumes you already know a lot about English and Irish history -- which I don't! -- this won't be the easiest history book you'll ever read... although it might still be the most erudite and charming.
May 8, 2025
Densely written and not so accessible for people who are not familiar with the history of the Republic of Ireland, however, the book does contain some interesting insights and take aways, even if not all insights are understandable to a broader audience
March 31, 2023
A very intelligent but humorous trip along the path to independence. I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews