I recently embarrassed my son by my ignorance on the subject of Irish History. Ireland and Northern Ireland are apparently not the same place. If someone were to ask me where I lived, I would say southern Ohio in Pike County. So I assumed that Northern Ireland was just that, northern Ireland. I need to read up on the subject. Can someone recommend some books?

Athena

A few good introductions to the topic are Ireland: History, People, Culture by Paul Brewer, Ireland, A Short History by Joseph Coohill, and A History of Ireland by Mike Cronon. They're not terribly long, and have all gotten pretty good reviews.  :)

For an excellent fiction read try Trinity by Leon Uris.  Fiction based on fact with lots of historical events retold as the story unfolds.  Actually the part that is not Northern Ireland (Ulster), is better known as Eire to set it apart.

Cheers, Margaret

History of Ireland by Malachy McCourt

Historical fiction can often provide a glimpse into difficult periods such as this. From stories of everyday people that live through these times you get a feel for the issues not provided by the study of great political and religious leaders. Always remember that much of history is written by the victors.

Brock and Bodie Thoene have written a set of four novels set in the early 1800s during famine and british oppression. The "Galway Chronicles" Book 1 Only the river runs free      Book 2 Of men and of angels        Book 3 Ashes of remembrance      Book 4 All rivers to the sea.

They are prolific writers and our love of their faith based historical fiction began with picking up book1 and the title - only the river runs free.

Beware, good historical fiction is very hard to put down. I commend you for not taking political situations only as they are now but, rather to attempt to find out how people got to where they are in the first place.

Kenneth, I loved the Galway Chronicles. Wonderful series--my favorite of all of the series I've read by the Thoenes.

Athena:  May I recommend How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe, by Thomas Cahill?   It is an account of the mind-boggling feat performed by the Irish...."the Service of the Scribes."

Then, for a splendid account of the Famine, read Cecil Woodham-Smith's The Great Hunger.  Erin go bragh!