I recently did a 12 day driving tour of southern Ireland with this atlas as a companion and I never got lost. Very clear, and well laid out. I'm going to use it again for a trip to England and Scotland in the fall. If you going to Great Britain or Ireland, you can't go wrong with this guide. So enjoy, stay left, and. . ."mind the pedestrians."

This atlas is great if you are planning to drive around Great Britain. It includes helpful blow-ups of each city for orientation and excellent detail. We traveled around Great Britain for 2 weeks and never got lost!

A Friend found this book for me in the childrens section of our city library, but this is not a childrens book, but that seems to be the typical attitude though. Dermot Mac Manus writes very poetically, which is not that suprising considering he was good friends with William B Yeats. This Book was used as one of the main source books for Patrick Harpur when he wrote Daimonic Reality. I will probably never look at trees in the same way after reading the section on Fairy Trees, which is great.

The author defines fairies at the begining so if your expecting a book solely on the peter pan type of fairy you may be disapointed, as he point out they come in all sizes and to add to that, there not all malevolent or benevolent for that matter... All in all it was quite eerie at points, but also very romantic and peaceful to read at night.

This book is gives very good insight into local Irish folklore. Written by a local who grew up in a time when the fairy folk were taken very seriously, this book is certainly hard to put down.

Roy Foster's volume is one of the most beautifully written and compelling histories on any subject I have ever read. He succeeds brilliantly in his stated aim of going beyond a straight historical narrative into examining how the events of Irish history (1600 - early 1970s) effected the people and (most crucially) shaped, for good and for bad, their view of themselves and their place in these events. His most trenchant and consistent stance is his remorseless questionning of the myth-mongering and self-exaltation that has shaped, indeed warped, so much of the self image of all sections of the island's population, leading to the adoption of stances and states of mind that make conflict and unbending dogmatism so hard to root out. In particular his analysis of the myopia and double-think that self-proclaimed 'pure' Republicanism has demanded of its followers makes for sobering reading for anyone who still thinks that Ireland's is a simple story. The dire consequences of Partition for the Catholic/Republican minority under the Ulster statelet are well illustrated, but equally the fact that it contributed in huge measure to the creation and maintenance of a stable and largely unified Irish state. Equally thought provoking is his highlighting of the contradictions of a nationalism that saw itself in strictly Gaelic and Catholic terms yet demanded the allegiance and incorporation of those Irish whose self-identification was very different and thus viewed as 'illegitimate' by these same terms. The bigotry and paranoia that has marked part of the northern protestant unionist mindset are well depicted, but so too are the Republican stances that did much to feed and (in their terms) justify it. Foster is crucial in showing how Republicanism has found it so much easier to aim it's attacks on a British Government that (however reluctantly) had put unpartitioned 32 county Home Rule on the table prior to 1916 than on an Irish minority whose resistance to the Republican view of their proper and true destiny made this impossible. The mental and ideological contortions this has required of 'pure' Republicanism have long been questioned but never resolved. This final post-Parnell section is probably the books most trenchant and absorbing, dealing as it does with issues all too palpably alive today, but the rest of the book no less enthralling. The only area perhaps not covered fully enough, in view of the subject's ongoing contentiousness, are the causes (not the effects) of the Famine's catastrophic outcome. An essential read, biased only in the direction of challenging received assumptions.

This is not only the best available work on modern Irish history but a wonderful example of how to give impartial treatment to a highly controversial topic. Many myths surround the Irish past, but Foster successfully strips them away. He is not afraid to criticise the post-1922 Irish state and politicians such as de Valera when necessary, but he establishes beyond doubt that the record of British rule in Ireland before that date was patchy and unwholesome at best, ignorant and vicious at worst. He also illuminates the complexities of the Ulster problem, showing that it is easier to caricature the province's Protestant reactionaries than to understand them. One other praiseworthy feature of the book is its biographical capsules, which are separated from the main text and neatly summarise the lives of the leading personalities of Irish history. If you feel you have a gap in your knowledge of Ireland, you must start with this book.

Pat was an inspiring individual who put his heart into everything. He was really proud when his book was published.

He would be thrilled that it is featured on line. Im sure hes watching us from above.

Take care Pat

What a shame there aren't more people in the world like Pat Tierney, an honest insight into a man who was truly alone in this world and truly seized every day and made the best of it. The best book I have ever read

Provides plenty of technical information on the excavation and restoration of Newgrange without destroying the wonder of the site. Great drawings as well as photos, exactly what I was hoping for when I ordered the book.

In the 1960's Michael O'Kelly and his team of student archaeologists restored the megalithic structure known as Newgrange. This book presents his findings and speculation on the ancient tumulus, and written and pictorial accounts of the reconstruction works itself.

Although the existence of the structure was known since Charles Campbell discovered it in 1699, its premier significance as a repository of ancient art, architecture and symbolism was never fully realised until Prof. O'Kelly and his team set about their work. The phenomenon of the roofbox, which for 7 minutes at dawn on the days of the winter solstice fills the central chamber with light, is incredible. I have visited the site more than 30 times, and had the privilege of a solstice viewing in 1994. I cannot recall a more fundamentally spiritual experience in my life.

This book has it all. The non-academic reader (I am one such!) may find certain sections a little turgid, but there are plenty of discussions on the mythology and symbolism to compensate for all the facts and figures if the latter don't suit. The illustrations are superb (photos, maps,pen/ink); the footnotes comprehensive, the objective analysis is compelling and the whole project just so worthwhile.

The reader can also enjoy placing their own interpretations on the significance of the carvings, objet d'art and the Solstice phenomenon, and be just as valid as anyone else. After all, the original builders left this earth 6500 years ago and didn't leave a users manual!!

Enjoy. 5 Stars (and the sun and moon as well!)

Having travelled extensively in Ireland, lived there for a number of years & married an Irishman, I have read more than my fair share of guides to Ireland. This one is outstanding. It is conise, informative, easy to use and well balanced between enjoying the wonderful bits of Ireland while still being clear eyed. The accomodation & food recommendations are limited but good, and it's easy enough to get the full guide from the Tourist Agencies- and recommendations from the AOL bulletin board.

I've visited Ireland several times, and own more than a few travel guides. This is the best of the bunch for northern Ireland - the old Ulster region. It has historical facts, lots of recommendations for places to see and things to do - not just the major sights like Giant's Causeway, but off the beaten path places, too. Lodging recommendations are included but certainly not extensive... other sources of B&B recommendations would be handy. Other than that this book has it all in a handy, packable size. For my trip this year, this will be the only travel guide I carry with me!

This is an essentail read for all who study comparative politics, history, public administration and international relations or international law. Professor Tonge provideds an easy to follow, well-written book that will spark your interest for hours. In addition to updated information, Professor Tonge provides additional references for further investigation. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has developed a curiousity regarding the events in Northern Ireland or for poli-sci courses that deals with comparative policy/political studies or a course in international conflict.

This book is absolutely the best book written on the history of the "Troubles." It comes from a very unbiased source who attempts to explain the 300 plus years of conflict to those who have no knowledge of the troubles in the North. It is also enlightening to us who do have knowledge and insight into the conflicts of Northern Ireland. If you ever wanted to know about the "Troubles," or want to know more, this book is a must read. It should be the first book read before anyone takes on any study of the conflicts which shroud Northern Ireland.

I was in a small pub in Baltimore for the ceili beginner's nights they have, and was asking some of the advanced regulars about good books with Irish music. They showed me a copy of this book and told me it was "the Bible of Irish music," and that's just what it is. With about 240 pages of more than 1000 jigs, reels, slip jigs, hornpipes, set dances, and Carolan's compositions, this book has it all. This is the real stuff too, because many of the songs from the book can be found on various Chieftains recordings, so it gives you the ability to play the music of the greats. Among others, there are versions of "Toss the Feathers," "Soldier's Joy," "The Wind that Shakes the Barley," "The Job of Journeywork," and the list goes on. This is a fiddle book, but the music can be played and sight read by any person of any instrument. I am a flutist and love this book. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a thorough compilation of quality Irish music.

Organized well, easy to find tunes, you need to be able to read music to play. Great for fiddles, flutes, pipes...or anything else you can play!

Keith's story begins in a godly English home, and continues through exciting days in Ireland, with the early Charismatic renewal and street level Evangelism, expressing love for both Protestant and Catholic Irish people alike. Now rooted in the land and people of their adoption, Keith and Elsie share the lessons, experiences and fruit of their international ministry and frequent travels. The lessons this book teaches us are hammered out on the anvil of his life - successes and mistakes alike. I've quoted this over-used metaphor because there has been much of this hammerings in Keith's life. He well knows the truth of Our Lord's promise in John 16:33: " In the world you shall have tribulation " The Lord keeps His promise and assures us in the midst of pressure that He has overcome, so be of good cheer. There is much to cheer about in this story! Adventures of living faith, when God steps in at the last minute; healings of the seriously ill, which touch the emotions; words of supernatural knowledge, and reconciliation across the divide of religion and race; all jostle together. This wisdom is laced with Keith's dry sense of humour, which could be easily missed. Who would get married on the verse of 1 Samuel 17:10 "Give me a man that we may fight together"? - Well, Elsie did! Keith has learned to protect and inspire his two sons and daughter; they all love and serve Keith's master. That is a great commendation, and one we should honour and seek to emulate.

Secondly there are a large number in full-time ministry today who recognise and gladly confess the influence of Keith's teaching and example as set out in this book. Keith's influence on the generations just coming up behind him is very extensive indeed. This augurs well for Ireland and tells us that Keith certainly didn't get it far wrong. May God help us through Keith's book, to also obey the vision He has given us.

Keith's story begins in a godly English home, and continues through exciting days in Ireland, with the early Charismatic renewal and street level Evangelism, expressing love for both Protestant and Catholic Irish people alike. Now rooted in the land and people of their adoption, Keith and Elsie share the lessons, experiences and fruit of their international ministry and frequent travels. The lessons this book teaches us are hammered out on the anvil of his life - successes and mistakes alike. I've quoted this over-used metaphor because there has been much of this hammerings in Keith's life. He well knows the truth of Our Lord's promise in John 16:33: " In the world you shall have tribulation " The Lord keeps His promise and assures us in the midst of pressure that He has overcome, so be of good cheer. There is much to cheer about in this story! Adventures of living faith, when God steps in at the last minute; healings of the seriously ill, which touch the emotions; words of supernatural knowledge, and reconciliation across the divide of religion and race; all jostle together. This wisdom is laced with Keith's dry sense of humour, which could be easily missed. Who would get married on the verse of 1 Samuel 17:10 "Give me a man that we may fight together"? - Well, Elsie did! Keith has learned to protect and inspire his two sons and daughter; they all love and serve Keith's master. That is a great commendation, and one we should honour and seek to emulate.

Secondly there are a large number in full-time ministry today who recognise and gladly confess the influence of Keith's teaching and example as set out in this book. Keith's influence on the generations just coming up behind him is very extensive indeed. This augurs well for Ireland and tells us that Keith certainly didn't get it far wrong. May God help us through Keith's book, to also obey the vision He has given us.

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT THE DIRTY PROTEST BY THE IRA PRISONERS IN H BLOCK OF THE MAZE PRISON ONE OF THE PRISONERS WAS BOBBY SANDS. WHETEHER YOU AGREE WITH THE IRA OR NOT IT IS A TRAGIC INCIDENT AND SHOWS THE WILL AND DRIVE OF THESE 10 MEN AND ALL THERE SUPPORTERS AND THERE STANDING FOR THE THINGS THEY TRULY BELIEVE IN ESPECIAALY IN SUCH DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS. SOME BOOKS ABOUT THE TROUBLES ARE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO GET THROUGH BUT THIS WAS A PRETTY GOOD BOOK

Published just prior to the hunger strikes of 1981 which claimed the life of ten IRA prisoners, "On The Blanket" details the so-called "dirty protest" that led up to the horrors of that year. With several first-hand accounts from prisoners and actors in the struggle, Coogan presents an unflinching account of the events in Long Kesh (the Maze) and Armagh prisons. The descriptions of the conditions in both prisons will move even the most cold-hearted reader. Coogan puts forth an important work that will stand as testiment to this troubled period in Irish history.