The Sacred Isle: Belief and Religion in Pre-Christian Ireland [Paperback]

Dáithí O hOgain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0851158560 | ISBN-13: 978-0851158563

The first modern study of prehistoric religion in Ireland to draw on the combined evidence of archaeology, literature and folklore to illuminate practice and belief from the earliest human habitation in the island down to the advent of Christianity in the fifth century AD. An excellent book... a highly accessible and lively assessment of continuity and change in belief and religion from pre-Celtic times through to the arrival of St Patrick. ...A fine book and to be recommended to a wide readership, especially to all those who think that Irish history started in 1601. IRISH STUDIES REVIEW

Editorial Reviews

Review

An excellent book... a highly accessible and lively assessment of c ontinuity and change in belief and religion from pre-Celtic times through to the arrival of St Patrick. ...A fine book and to be recommended to a wide readership, especially to all those who think that Irish history started in 1601. --Irish Studies Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

DAITHI O HOGAIN is Associate Professor of Folklore at University College Dublin. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (October 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851158560
• ISBN-13: 978-0851158563
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,436,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very thorough and scholarly, June 16, 2003

By 

"majnoon_" (Santa Fe, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sacred Isle: Pre-Christian Religions in Ireland (Hardcover)

This is a definitive work on the subject. The author surpasses credible to the level of genuine expert. I feel safe in trusting his research and speculations. Being a scholarly work, the book isn't for the faint of heart (it can be thick reading at times), but if your into Celtic studies, the history of Ireland, the history of the Druids, then this book is a must and should be read and referred to again and again. The author uses a wonderful blend of archaeology, literature, and mythology not only of Ireland, but also from a vast range of sources. He ties in accounts of the Continental Celts, the Indo-Europeans, the Greek and Roman sources, and even accounts from India (Vedic, rig Veda, etc). The author gives us a complete picture that is supported by a myriad of sources and language associations. The only thing that I felt could have enhanced the book would be an index. Very great work, well worth the money.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes!, August 1, 2005

By 

BottledHammer "Anne Welch" (Hillrose, CO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sacred Isle: Pre-Christian Religions in Ireland (Paperback)

Excellent! Very blunt, well put, and provides the information in a way that is no nonsense, straight way. Loved it.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! A stunning work that every Celt/Irish nut will want!, January 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sacred Isle: Pre-Christian Religions in Ireland (Hardcover)

O'Hogain has done it again, by providing another invaluable resource for those interested in learning more about Celtic and Irish pre-christian religion. Very well-researched and written, this book will take you on a journey back in time, which you'll never forget! Don't miss his other works either.