Irish Panorama
A Selective List of Books on Irish History and Culture

Literature

An Aran Reader
O hEithir, Breandan and Ruairi, eds. | Lilliput Press, © 1991 | 820.8 A
Poetry and prose celebrating the three small islands off the west coast of Ireland.
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Modern Irish Drama
Harrington, John P., ed. | Norton, © 1991 | 822.008 M
Critical anthology of twentieth-century Irish plays containing some of the best known by W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, Synge, Shaw, O'Casey, Behan, Beckett and Friel.
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The Penguin Book of Contemporary Irish Poetry
Fallon, Peter and Derek Mahon, eds. | Penguin, © 1990 | 821.008 P
35 post-Yeatsian poets from the North as well as the Irish Republic writing in English and Irish.
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The Penguin Book of Irish Verse
Kennelly, Brendan, ed. | Penguin, © 1981 | 821.008 P
Collections of Irish and Anglo-Irish poetry spanning the centuries. Includes many translations from the Gaelic.
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Legend and Folklore

Fairy Tales of Ireland
William Butler, Yeats | Delacorte, © 1990 | 398.21 Y
These twenty stories collected in the 19th century by a Nobel prize winning poet retain the flavor of the oral tradition.
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Irish Folktales
Glassie, Henry, ed. | Pantheon, © 1985 | 398.2094 I
Noted folklorist Glassie has chosen 125 tales from throughout the island that best express the Irish character.
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Over Nine Waves: A Book of Irish Legends
Heaney, Marie | Faber, © 1994 | 398.2094 H
An appealing retelling of traditional tales of violence and romance.
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Women in Celtic Myth: Tales of Extraordinary Women from the Ancient Celtic Tradition
Caldecott, Moyra | Destiny Books, © 1992 | 398.2094 C
Potent visions of female strength and spiritual wisdom emerge from these ancient tales.
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History

Castles of Ireland
De Breffny, Brian | Thames & Hudson, © 1977 | 941.5 D
Abundant photographs of many of the magnificent monuments of a bygone era.

The Course of Irish History
Moody, T. W. and F.X. Martin, eds. | Mercier Press, © 1984 | 941.5 C
A collection of concise essays by various scholars based on a popular Irish television series.
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The Great Hunger: Ireland 1845-1849
Woodham-Smith, Cecil | Harper & Row, © 1962 | 338.15 W
The definitive account of the famine which spurred Ireland's greatest exodus.
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The Irish Famine: An Illustrated History
Litton, Helen | Irish Books and Media, © 1994 | 941.5081 L
First-rate research and lively illustrations enhance an easy-reading text about Ireland's tragic years.
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The Oxford Illustrated History of Ireland
Foster, R.F., ed. | Oxford, © 1992 | 941.5 O
Native scholars present an engaging account of Irish history. Outstanding resource for further study.
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The Peoples of Ireland: From Prehistory to Modern Times
de Paor, Liam | University of Notre Dame, © 1986 | 941.5 D
This narrative provides insight into the various inhabitants of Ireland and their interactions.
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A Traveller's History of Ireland
Neville, Peter | Interlink Books, © 1992 | 951.5 N
Compact and readable overview from prehistory to the present.

The Irish Tradition

In Ireland Long Ago
Danaher, Kevin | Mercier, © 1991 | 941.5082 D
Entertaining look at the everyday life of ordinary people in centuries past.
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Ireland Guide
Bord Failte/Irish Tourist Board | St. Martins, © 1993 | 914.1704 I
A handbook of equal interest to the tourist and the armchair traveler written from an insider's perspective.

Irish Art and Architecture from Prehistory to the Present
Harbison, Peter; Homan Potterton; Jeanne Sheehy | Thames & Hudson, © 1993 | 709.415 H
This richly illustrated work traces trends in art and architecture, and the historical influences that resulted in the ebb and flow of these arts.
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The Story of the Irish Race
MacManus, Seamus | Devin-Adair, © 1966 | 941.5 M
82 vignettes give a captivating grounding in major Irish figures and events from history and mythology.
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Tracing Your Irish Ancestors
Greenham, John | Genealogical Pub., © 1992 | 929.1072 G
A myriad of sources plus a do-it-yourself guide to make tracing your family tree easier than ever.
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Traditional Irish Crafts
Shaw-Smith, David, ed. | Thames & Hudson, © 1984 | 745.5094 S
Lavish photos and essays by experts record the history and practice of 40 ancient crafts including roof thatching, violin making and glass blowing.
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Compiled by the Irish Heritage Booklist Committee: Jeffrey Berkin, Barbara Krauter, Nancy Charnee, John McElhatton, Rosemary Doyle, Mark Shields, and Brigid Cahalan, Chair.

This booklist is supported in part by Federal Library Services and Construction Act Title I funds, granted by The New York State Library; and The New York State Coordinated Outreach Services Grant.