The most eventful and tumultuous century in Irish history is examined by Terence Brown with wit, grace and authority. This revised edition of his seminal historical text includes substantial new material and a new index.

The post-Treaty period in Ireland has been an era of intense debate about the nature and future of Irish society and culture. In a state born in violence and divided by bitter quarrels, wars both literal and cultural have raged over what it means to be Irish - and what it is possible for Ireland to achieve.

Terence Brown traces the development of modern ireland through nationalism, industrialization, religion, language revival and censorship combined with an assessment of the major literary and artistic advances accomplished in this climate. This is an innovative and illuminating study of an emergent nation that is as relevant and perceptive now as it was upon its original publication in 1981.