This is a major, collaborative study of organised military activity and its broad impact on Ireland over the last thousand years or so, from the middle of the first millennium AD to modern times. It integrates the best recent scholarship in military history into its social and political context to provide a comprehensive treatment of the Irish military experience. The eighteen chronologically-organised chapters are written by leading scholars each of whom is an authority on the period in question. Drawing the whole work together is a wide-ranging introductory essay on the 'Irish military tradition' which explores the relationship of Irish society and politics with militarism and military affairs. The text is illustrated throughout by over 120 pictures and maps.
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Review
'… huge but inviting … it is difficult, for the general reader at least, to see what might be added to this history to make it more complete.' Books Ireland
'… impressive and timely book … a resounding triumph.' James Kelly, The Irish Times
'… a quite splendid examination of Irish history through a startling revealing medium.' Kevin Myers, The Irish Times
'In the questions it asks as well as in the story it tells, this book provides a notable and sensitive new marker in the study of Anglo-Irish relations.' Eric Waugh, The Belfast Telegraph
'… with its handsome format, numerous memorable and often unfamiliar illustrations and excellent text, the collection immediately established itself as the essential work for all curious to know of the Irish experience of fighting within and beyond their homeland.' English Historical Review
'… impressive and timely book … a resounding triumph.' James Kelly, The Irish Times
'… a quite splendid examination of Irish history through a startling revealing medium.' Kevin Myers, The Irish Times
'In the questions it asks as well as in the story it tells, this book provides a notable and sensitive new marker in the study of Anglo-Irish relations.' Eric Waugh, The Belfast Telegraph
'… with its handsome format, numerous memorable and often unfamiliar illustrations and excellent text, the collection immediately established itself as the essential work for all curious to know of the Irish experience of fighting within and beyond their homeland.' English Historical Review
Book Description
This major collaborative volume deals with all aspects of Irish military history, but especially the relationship between armies and soldiers in Ireland with Irish society in general, from the middle of the first millennium AD to modern times. The text is illustrated throughout by over 120 pictures and maps.
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First Sentence
In the Field Day Anthology, a massive three-volume, 1,500-page collection of Irish writing, the very first extract tells the story of Cu Chulainn, the legendary warrior of the Ulaidh or Ulstermen who in prehistoric times dominated the north of Ireland. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
In the Field Day Anthology, a massive three-volume, 1,500-page collection of Irish writing, the very first extract tells the story of Cu Chulainn, the legendary warrior of the Ulaidh or Ulstermen who in prehistoric times dominated the north of Ireland. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The editors of this volume were fortunate, for there is a wealth of studies available on this subject which is often not true with regard to other topics. The Military History Society of Ireland has published The Irish Sword since 1949. The book is a substantial one of over 500 closely packed pages. It consists of 19 chapters each written by an expert in each period. As usual with this kind of work the beginnings and ends of chapters do not dovetail with each other, but this is a minor defect.
The book is essentially a military history of Ireland, focussed on arms and warriors, but it must also includes battles and wars. So, in effect it forms a largely complete political history of Ireland. This is the more satisfactory as it is not written with any political bias.One of the editors is from Northern Ireland the other from Southern Ireland
Of particular interest is Katherine Simms description of Irish kerne or footsoldier in the Middle Ages. As in other countries little distinction was made between foot soldier and bandit for they seem to have swapped roles as occasion demanded.They existed in every age up to the beginning of the 18th century.
Some may be more interested in Irish military exploits in the 20th century. Of interest is the account of the Free State army after 1921. It existed but was badly funded, and lacked proper equipment and training. All through the war it remained short of men and equipment while many Irishmen rushed to join the real army of Britain. Of equal interest is the parallel chapter on Irishmen in the British Army. (The army was British while the navy and Air Force were Royal; the reason seems to be that the king had several armies at his disposal, British, Hanoverian, etc. The army was therefore that of the people of Britain after 1707.)This chapter would not be complete without an account of the Provisional IRA. The Irish contribution to both world wars are described.Ireland was notable for the number of top generals it produced.
There a numerous illustrations, over a hundred. The best and most evocative is on the jacket cover, It is part of Lady Butler's famous picture 'Listed for the [Connaught] Rangers', showing an Irishman, a red coated recruit sergeant and a drummer boy in a Kerry glen.Lady Butler was married to an Irish general.
The book is fully referenced, has a large bibliography, and a comprehensive index. Buy.
The book is essentially a military history of Ireland, focussed on arms and warriors, but it must also includes battles and wars. So, in effect it forms a largely complete political history of Ireland. This is the more satisfactory as it is not written with any political bias.One of the editors is from Northern Ireland the other from Southern Ireland
Of particular interest is Katherine Simms description of Irish kerne or footsoldier in the Middle Ages. As in other countries little distinction was made between foot soldier and bandit for they seem to have swapped roles as occasion demanded.They existed in every age up to the beginning of the 18th century.
Some may be more interested in Irish military exploits in the 20th century. Of interest is the account of the Free State army after 1921. It existed but was badly funded, and lacked proper equipment and training. All through the war it remained short of men and equipment while many Irishmen rushed to join the real army of Britain. Of equal interest is the parallel chapter on Irishmen in the British Army. (The army was British while the navy and Air Force were Royal; the reason seems to be that the king had several armies at his disposal, British, Hanoverian, etc. The army was therefore that of the people of Britain after 1707.)This chapter would not be complete without an account of the Provisional IRA. The Irish contribution to both world wars are described.Ireland was notable for the number of top generals it produced.
There a numerous illustrations, over a hundred. The best and most evocative is on the jacket cover, It is part of Lady Butler's famous picture 'Listed for the [Connaught] Rangers', showing an Irishman, a red coated recruit sergeant and a drummer boy in a Kerry glen.Lady Butler was married to an Irish general.
The book is fully referenced, has a large bibliography, and a comprehensive index. Buy.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.0 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
The standard work on Ireland's military traditions.
10 July 2001
By John W. Hurley
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
In "A Military History of Ireland" editors Thomas Bartlett and Keith Jeffery brought together some of the best essays on Irish military history available to the modern reader. The authors discuss the early and medieval military traditions of the Irish and trace these traditions into the modern era. Those looking strictly for information on battle tactics etc. will be disappointed however. Throughout the book the focus is on the formation of bands of Irish fighting men and the evolution of this process in Ireland to the creation of modern military regiments and armies, and includes extensive information about the formation and nature of British army regiments in Ireland. The first few essays on the medieval Gaelic and Norman Irish military traditions however, makes this book worth getting, especially now that it's available (for $29.95!) in softcover.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Mediocre Irish history
23 May 2011
By Rubicon
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This as a military resource on Irish warfare this publication is mediocre at best. The book is exhaustive to read and opinionated. One would suggest the book is written for the Diaspora audience with romatic notions of Irishness. As an avide historian I would suggest, this as a last ditch option to read (if you have no internet or library near by). Barlett's editiorial style is condescending and arrogant, which is normal; but this publication is a real dissapointment.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Complete Reference
8 Oct 2008
By W.M.
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a complete, detailed reference on the military history of Ireland. While very technical discussions can be undertaken at times, the book is accessible to the average reader, although some basic knowledge of Irish history contributes greatly to understanding, as limited background information is provided.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
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