Medieval Ireland is associated in the public imagination with the ruined castles and monasteries that remain prominent in the Irish landscape. Crisis and Survival in Late Medieval Ireland: The English of Louth and their Neighbours, 1330-1450 examines how the society that produced these monuments developed over the course of a turbulent century, focussing particularly on county Louth, situated on the coast north of Dublin and adjacent to the earldom of Ulster. Louth was one of the areas that had been most densely colonised by English settlers in the decades around 1200, and ties with England and loyalty to the English crown remained strong. Its settlers found it possible to maintain close economic and political ties with England in part because of their proximity to the significant trading port of Drogheda, and the residence among them of the archbishop of Armagh, primate of Ireland, also extended their international horizons and contacts. In this volume, Brendan Smith explores the ways in which the English settlers in Louth maintained their English identity in the face of plague and warfare. The Black Death of 1348-9, and recurrent visitations of plague thereafter, reduced their numbers significantly and encouraged the Irish lordships on their borders to challenge their local supremacy. How to counter the threat from the MacMahons, O'Neills, and others, absorbed their energies and resources. It not only involved mounting armed campaigns, taking hostages, and building defences; it also meant intermarrying with these families and entering into numerous solemn, if short-lived, treaties with them. Smith draws on original source material, to present a picture of the English settlers in Louth, and to show how living in the borderlands of the English world coloured every aspect of settler life.

"Trim is one of Ireland's best-known medieval towns, and yet for a very long time many aspects of its early history and development were poorly understood. A series of important archaeological excavations have taken place in recent years and this publication brings together the results of these investigations for the first time. The book opens with a foreword by John Bradley, one of Ireland's foremost experts on medieval towns, followed by an introductory overview by Michael Potterton, author of Medieval Trim: history and archaeology. A fascinating glimpse into prehistory is provided by Fiona Beglane's study of an enigmatic Iron-Age pit full of pigs' feet. Of special significance is new evidence that proves beyond reasonable doubt that Trim's first church was located where the Church of Ireland cathedral now stands. New light is shed upon death and burial in and around the town, as well as the layout and development of the religious houses. The location and form of the town's medieval defences, as well as its streets, houses and suburbs are also illuminated. New evidence is discussed for small-scale craft and industry as well as diet, health and daily life. An overview is provided of the range and origins of the various types of medieval pottery found in the town. The book ends with a summary of the recently commissioned management and conservation plans for Trim's town walls."--Publisher's description.

"This dedicated volume of the Journal of the British Archaeological Association draws together ten papers which, collectively, explore something of the art and architecture, styles and uses, of the medieval cloister in England and Wales. Contributors consider the continental context, cloisters in English palaces, Benedictine and Augustinian cloister arcades in the 12th and 13th centuries, architecture and meaning in Cistercian east ranges, late medieval vaulted cloisters in the West Country, cloisters at the cathedrals of Old Sarum, Canterbury, and Lincoln, and assess the extent to which the cloister bosses at Norwich cathedral priory reflect contemporary religious politics. The volume also contains an extended consideration and gazetteer of all Cistercian cloisters in England and Wales."

Irish inhabitants of the 'four obedient shires' - a term commonly used to describe the region at the heart of the English colony in the later Middle Ages - were significantly anglicised, taking on English names, dress, and even legal status. However, the processes of cultural exchange went both ways. This study examines the nature of interactions between English and Irish neighbours in the four shires, taking into account the complex tensions between assimilation and the preservation of distinct ethnic identities and exploring how the common colonial rhetoric of the Irish as an 'enemy' coexisted with the daily reality of alliance, intermarriage, and accommodation. Placing Ireland in a broad context, Sparky Booker addresses the strategies the colonial community used to deal with the difficulties posed by extensive assimilation, and the lasting changes this made to understandings of what it meant to be 'English' or 'Irish' in the face of such challenges.

First published in 2005 Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia brings together in one authoritative resource the multiple facets of life in Ireland before and after the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169, from the sixth to sixteenth century.

This volume brings together scholarship from many disciplines, including history, heritage studies, archaeology, geography, and political science to provide a nuanced view of life in medieval Ireland and after. Primarily contributing to the fields of settlement and landscape studies, each essay considers the influence of Terence B. Barry of Trinity College Dublin within Ireland and internationally. Barry’s long career changed the direction of castle studies and brought the archaeology of medieval Ireland to wider knowledge. These essays, authored by an international team of fifteen scholars, develop many of his original research questions to provide timely and insightful reappraisals of material culture and the built and natural environments. Contributors (in order of appearance) are Robin Glasscock, Kieran O’Conor, Thomas Finan, James G. Schryver, Oliver Creighton, Robert Higham, Mary A. Valante, Margaret Murphy, John Soderberg, Conleth Manning, Victoria McAlister, Jennifer L. Immich, Calder Walton, Christiaan Corlett, Stephen H. Harrison, and Raghnall Ó Floinn.

Now available in PDF format. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Back Roads Ireland vacation driving tour guidebook reveals the secret gems and hidden delights that can only be discovered along the Emerald Isle's most scenic routes and back roads. Twenty-five themed drives, each lasting one to five days, introduces travelers to the soul of Ireland--from the golden beaches of Cork and the spectacular Sheep's Head peninsula to the bushy glens of classic Northern Ireland and spellbinding caverns of the lakelands. Along the way, these driving tours of Ireland highlight day-trips and activities such as walks and hikes, bird-watching and beach strolls, islands and lighthouses, and children's attractions. Pass by ancient stone circles and megalithic tombs, Celtic crosses, medieval castles, and stately homes. Practical information, such as road conditions, lengths of drives, and zip codes for GPS devices, accompanies the complete itineraries and pull-out map, as do listings for the best-value hotels, intimate guesthouses, local produce-friendly restaurants, and cozy pubs. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Back Roads Ireland leads travelers to the most authentic and delightful experiences the country has to offer.

Back Roads of Ireland opens with a brief portrait of the country and then moves on to provide all the practical information required to plan a driving vacation: how to get there, bringing your own vehicle and options for renting, and detailed driving advice. The main section divides into numbered drives, following a logical progression around the country. Each drive features highlights and itinerary spreads for an overview and planning, followed by extensive descriptions of each sight and activity with clear driving instructions between. A language section at the back of the guide lists essential words and phrases, with a particular emphasis on road signs and driving-related vocabulary.

Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia brings together in one authoritative resource the multiple facets of life in Ireland before and after the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169, from the sixth to sixteenth century. Multidisciplinary in coverage, this A–Z reference work provides information on historical events, economics, politics, the arts, religion, intellectual history, and many other aspects of the period. With over 345 essays ranging from 250 to 2,500 words, Medieval Ireland paints a lively and colorful portrait of the time. For a full list of entries, contributors, and more, visit the Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages website.

A lively, cosmopolitan city steeped in colorful history and a rich literary tradition, Dublin is a perfect vacation spot anytime. But savvy travelers know that the best time to visit it is during the off-season, when the summer crowds have thinned and bargain rates abound. Dublin Off-Season and On is filled with inside information on special events, discounts, and unique opportunities, especially for the off-season traveler. The guide includes: -A calendar of major and little-known events and festivals -Information on year-round sales, special rates, and bargains on air fare, accommodations, and leisure activities -Context and historical anecdotes for all of the major sites -Special day tips to the Irish countryside and Northern Ireland -Walking tours throughout Dublin -An in-depth shopping guide for where to find the best hand-knits, linen, and other Irish products No matter when you're planning to visit, Doris Lehman's Dublin Off-Season and On is a valuable guide to seeing the best Dublin has to offer.