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IRISH HISTORY

Links to Websites on Irish History

  • Rick Steve's Ireland's History in a Nutshell
    This is a one-page overview of Ireland's history starting with the Iron Age (500 BC - 500 AD) in Rick Steve's own style. Rick is an entertaining and knowledgeable leader of tours all over the globe.

    Excerpt: "One surprising aspect of Ireland is the richness of its history. While the island is not particularly well-endowed with historic monuments, it is soaked in history..."

  • Ireland's Eye Events in Irish History Short descriptions and links

  • Views of The Famine ~ Compiled by Steve Taylor
    Views of the famine ~ compiled by Steve Taylor of Vassar College. An excellent compilation of pictures, news articles, stories, and cartoons from the time of the famine in Ireland.

  • The Irish Potato Famine on The History Place
    Eight-part narrative with illustrations and photos.
    Escerpt:" Most of the Irish countryside was owned by an English and Anglo-Irish hereditary ruling class. Many were absentee landlords that set foot on their properties once or twice a year, if at all. Mainly Protestant, they held titles to enormous tracts of land long ago confiscated from native Irish Catholics by British conquerors such as Oliver Cromwell. The landlords often utilized local agents to actually manage their estates while living lavishly in London or in Europe off the rents paid by Catholics for land their ancestors had once owned."

  • Secrets of the Dead
    In 1876, after 8 years of incarceration in a notorious British prison in Western Australia, 6 Irish political prisoners escaped on board the American whaler Catalpa. Read about this little-known but heroic escape story, a part of history that Americans, although they played a pivotal role, are mostly unaware. The series is broadcast on PBS television. Place this event in historical perspective in a timeline of significant events from 1167-1922. PBS provides links to more information on this subject.

  • In Search of Ancient Ireland
    IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT IRELAND journeys across the centuries to explore fabled Erin's remarkable past and uncover the real story behind the island nation's rich global legacy. It is an interactive PBS website about Ireland's history, gography, religion, culture and commerce. More related resources.

  • Irish History on the Web
     General Irish History,Historical Documents, Irish Studies, Timelines, Republican History, Unionist History, Celtic History, Northern Ireland, Radical History, Emigration & Genealogy, The Famine, Images, Literature, Further Reading, Resources, Irish Internet. This site is a wealth of information with many links to other websites.

  • Young Ireland
    A scholarly article on Young Ireland and the 1848 Rebellion in Ireland

  • The History of Irish Dance
    Excerpt: "...there is evidence that among its first practitioners were the Druids, who danced in religious rituals honouring the oak tree and the sun. Traces of their circular dances survive in the ring dances of today."

IRISH HISTORY IN VIDEOS

IAmWanderingAngus Irish History Videos on YouTube

A documentary series of narrated photos of historical events, people, and places.

Some viewers' comments on the videos:

  • "just watched your documentary for the second time the whole way thru. Big ups for that.
    More Irish-Americans need to know the history of their ancestors, and of our brothers and sisters across the pond."
  • "Cheers for educating the ignorant...... unfortunately this isn't the history taught in England or even Ireland!"

Ireland's Mysterious Newgrange Tomb

  • National Geographic video about the Newgrange Tomb

    "It's the final resting place of countless Stone Age dead, but mystery still lives at Ireland's Newgrange tomb. Scientists have long been puzzled by the massive 5,000-year-old mound, but one revelation shed a lot of light—literally—on the meaning of the crypt. On the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, a beam of sunlight reveals a corridor that leads to a cache of ancient bones. Tour the halls of Newgrange, and explore the deep mysteries of one of Europe's most puzzling Stone Age sites."
    [quoted from the National Geographic Digital Media]



 



Triple spiral as visible on entrance stone at Newgrange. Click for close-up photo of stone. Read more about Newgrange.

Irish History sites on Google Google is good place to start if you're looking for information on Irish history. See many more specific links on this page.

Google Scholar ~ search Google Scholar for scholarly publications, both on the web and in libraries. Enter your own topic for research.

Celtic Treasures

Boston's Museum of Fine Arts holds a collection of ancient, Irish-Celtic gold treasures , not normally on display, but a showing was recently sponsored by The Erie Society. See Celtic treasures at the Museum of Fine Arts. According to the museum:

These objects, found on a coastal town in County Cork, once adorned the necks of Celtic aristocracy in Ireland from the middle to late bronze age, dating back as far as 1200 B.C.

Link to more Irish interest groups in Massachusetts courtesy of the IrishMassachusetts website.

The Irish Around the World

Growing up in America, we didn't get the formal training in Irish history or geography (and certainly not the language), but we did get the stories, which I loved to hear. The history of the people, however, is important to understanding who we are now and why.

The Irish Emigration

The Irish Government website estimates that there are more than 40 million people in the USA of Irish descent; that is 8 times the present population of Ireland, estimated at 4 million people. Of the 5,814,000 immigrants from Ireland from 1842 to 1925, 80.8% came to America .One of the biggest reasons for choosing America was the economic opportunity; the Irish, like most poor immigrants, had a difficult time assimilating into the American. society, but had the advantage of speaking English as their native language.

The Irish in Australia

Up to 30% of the Australian population is estimated to be of Irish descent, this is where many of Ireland's prisoners were shipped off to between 1815-1840. According to the Irish Society, 1200 Irish political prisoners were transported to Australia during that time. Most were members of local rebel groups like the Whiteboys and the Ribbon Men. In total, 30,000 Irish men and 9000 Irish women were sent to Australia as prisoners. They and the many Irish who freely emigrated to Australia account for the substantial Irish presence in Australia today.

 

The Irish in South America

Many Irish soldiers served in the armies of the South American Republics during the early years of the 19th century, which is a big reason why you will find the Irish there as well.

The Irish in Britain

Over the years, many Irish emigrated to neighboring Britain in search of work opportunities, the men mainly worked in the building trades.

The Irish in Barbados

At one time there was a significant Irish population in Barbados. The British, who ruled in Barbados at the time, encouraged the Irish to work for them as indentured servants, requiring a seven-year commitment. After the Irish joined with the African slaves in rebellion over conditions, the Irish who were not killed by the resisting British, were exiled and sent elsewhere.

Irish Emigration Now

In spite of a robust economy, there is high unemployment still in Ireland and more people are emigrating from Ireland than are returning.

The Irish in America

America, being the melting pot of all nations and the "land of opportunity," attracted the Irish in great numbers.In fact, the Irish comprise the largest single minority ethnic group in the states. Many of the daughters in Irish families, in particular from rural areas, came to America where they could find employment, often as nannies. Irish-trained nurses were in great demand as well.

For factual information on the United States of America, you will find up to date statistics on the US government's CIA website. Search out any other country's information as well.