In Search of Ancient Ireland: The Origins of the Irish from Neolithic Times to the Coming of the English

This engaging book traces the history, archaeology, and legends of ancient Ireland from 9000 B.C., when nomadic hunter-gatherers appeared in Ireland at the end of the last Ice Age to 1167 A.D., when a Norman invasion brought the country under control of the English crown for the first time. So much of what people today accept as ancient Irish history—Celtic invaders from Europe turning Ireland into a Celtic nation; St. Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland and converting its people to Christianity—is myth and legend with little basis in reality. The truth is more interesting. The Irish, as the authors show, are not even Celtic in an archaeological sense. And there were plenty of bishops in Ireland before a British missionary called Patrick arrived. But In Search of Ancient Ireland is not simply the story of events from long ago. Across Ireland today are festivals, places, and folk customs that provide a tangible link to events thousands of years past. The authors visit and describe many of these places and festivals, talking to a wide variety of historians, scholars, poets, and storytellers in the very settings where history happened. Thus the book is also a journey on the ground to uncover ten thousand years of Irish identity. In Search of Ancient Ireland is the official companion to the three-part PBS documentary series. With 14 black-and-white photos, 6 b&w illustrations, and 1 map.

• The Story of Ireland: A History of the Irish People
• The Story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland
• Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland
• How the Irish Saved Civilization (Hinges of History Book 1)
• A Brief History of Ireland
• Weird Ireland: A History of Ancient Mysteries, Fantastic Folklore, and Urban Legends Across the Emerald Isle
• In Search of Ireland's Heroes: The Story of the Irish from the English Invasion to the Present Day
• Medieval Ireland: The History and Legacy of the Irish during the Middle Ages
• Irish History: A Concise Overview of the History of Ireland From Start to End
• IRELAND: Mythical, Magical, Mystical: A Guide to Hidden Ireland: A Hidden Gems Travel Guide