Customer Reviews

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

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_In Search of Ancient Ireland_ by Carmel McCaffrey and Leo Eaton is a well-written and thorough tour of Irish history from Neolithic times following the last Ice Age up into the 12th century.

Chapter one looked at the first Irish people. The chapter began with the authors touring the Irish countryside examining eskers, long gravel ridges left behind by retreating glaciers, features that once served as elevated roads relatively free of vegetation, useful to Ireland's first arrivals. Although there is debate over whether a land-bridge still existed at the time between Britain and Ireland, the first people to settle Ireland arrived in small family groups around 9000 BC, having left southwest Scotland for northeast Ireland. The authors discussed Mount Sandel, a Mesolithic site dating to around 7000 BC. Notable finds from the camp include fulacht fiadh (also known from the Bronze Age), essentially mounds of fire-heated stones that were used to boil water for cooking. More dramatic though are the 1500 megalithic structures from Neolithic Ireland built largely between 4000-2000 BC, structures that are evidence of large communities with considerable organization. The authors discussed dolmans, court tombs, and wedge tombs.

Chapter two reviewed Bronze Age Ireland, which began around 2400 BC. The authors examined a Bronze Age mine, the famous stone circles of the era (hundreds of all sizes were constructed between the end of the Neolithic and the start of the Iron Age around 500 BC), the importance of cattle (as one expert said, "raising cattle is the key to understanding Ireland...everything is about cattle"), the traumatic climatic events that took place between 1159-1141 BC that led to the development of Ireland's first warrior aristocracy and hill forts, and crannogs (artificial lake islands, usually with no more than two huts).

Chapter three examined who the Celts were and what it means to be "Celtic," reviewing the history of the term (which is of very recent origins), how there is no evidence of any large-scale Celtic invasion from Europe (though Celtic culture and language did indeed arrive), and how Celtic should be seen as a cultural and linguistic term, not an ethnic one. A very interesting section examined in detail _An Tain Bo Cualigne_ (frequently just called _The Tain_ or translated as _The Cattle Raid of Cooley_, the greatest Irish story and oldest epic written in a vernacular European language).

The fourth chapter looked at religion and laws. Topics included the druids, various Irish festivals (Samain was a great feast that marked the end of the year and the start of the new one on November 1st, a festival that eventually transformed into Halloween), the Brehon Laws (administered by judges known as brehons, a vital part of Irish life though not written down until seventh and eighth centuries), the significant role of fili or poets, and women's rights in Ireland (much better under Brehon Laws).

Chapter five was devoted to fifth century St. Patrick, detailing his life (interestingly, he was not the first missionary to Ireland nor was he in fact Irish) and how the cult of St. Patrick developed (largely for the political expediency of various Irish leaders).

The sixth chapter looked at the rise of Christianity, how was it spread from the top down in Ireland, how missionaries had to adapt an essentially urban religion to a land without cities, its largely nonviolent acceptance, how some Celtic gods morphed into saints (St. Brigid might have either have been a real person or the goddess Brigid). A major figure is St Enda, the man most responsible for introducing monasticism to Ireland.

Chapter seven examined in detail the Irish monasteries, which were surprisingly worldly (Irish monks frequently married and were not poor) and scholarly (they preserved much Classical literature). While some monasteries basically became cities with many lay persons living and working there, others were founded in very remote places, notably desolate off-shore islands and even Iceland (appalled at the lack of Irish martyrs, the Irish church said that White Martyrdom could be achieved by leaving Ireland and founding monasteries in desolate places). Also examined are early conflicts between the Irish and Roman churches, Brendan the Navigator, and the perigrini (large numbers of Irish pilgrims in Europe from the sixth century on).

Chapter eight looked at the growing role of monasteries in the flowering of Irish arts and crafts (examples include the _Book of Kells_ and the ninth century High Crosses, sometimes called Celtic crosses, freestanding, up to 20 feet in height stone crosses with the distinctive ringed cross head and elaborate and apparently painted carvings upon them) and also the Irish political situation; the hundreds of petty kings (many were called taoiseach or chieftains), Irish succession laws (not always the eldest son, but rather decided upon by a dail or discussion group), and the wars between the monastic city-states.

Chapter nine looked at the first Viking raids in the late 8th century and the establishment of Viking fortified camps called longphorts, many of which later became Irish cities (the most important would be Dublin, which comes from Dubh Linn, or Black Pool, a natural harbor favored by the Vikings).

Chapter ten examined the history of the Vikings in Ireland, how "Vikings were as likely to use Irish allies in their own wars as the Irish were to have Viking allies," and how Viking towns became real engines of economic growth (and also by the way Christianized; later myths would portray all Vikings as pagan).

Chapter eleven chronicled the life and times of tenth century Brian Boru, "Emperor of the Irish," the only Irish high-king to have any real power.

The final chapter looked at the conflict between Tara, long the seat of traditional Irish power and prestige, and Dublin, growing in wealth and power, the lasting Viking legacy in Ireland (they introduced coins, even the stirrup and spur), the massive reforms imposed on the Irish church by Rome in the twelfth century, and Dermot MacMurrough, the deposed Irish king who was partly responsible for the Norman English invasion.

This is not your average history book in that the story of ancient Ireland flows off the pages to entertain and delight. It is a well written, lyrical and well researched history of ancient Ireland. The writers take us to the top of pagan ritual mounds and inside ancient caves, crawling through dark passageways. They visit monasteries where the residents have long since vanished but the ghosts of the past remain to haunt and remind us of an Ireland that once was noble and classical in its learning. When Europe entered its Dark Age, Ireland and the Irish were there to bring the light of scholarship back. I have read other books on this subject but there is so much that is new here. McCaffrey and Eaton consult with the best Irish archeologists, historians and anthropologists to tell their story of Ireland's ancient past with a clarity that is refreshing and enlightening.
I loved reading this book and felt as if I had gone back in time and that the past was alive again. An Irish past that I did not even realize existed! Different characters jumped off the pages - St. Patrick, Brian Boru, an interesting king/bishop called Feidlimid MacCrimthannn and even the Vikings all take on a real form. The research into the period is excellent, dispelling many myths and giving the correct sources. I loved reading the quotes from the ancient Irish annals and learning of the current archeological discoveries. This book is an excellent source book for everything you want to know about ancient Ireland. It made me proud of my Irish ancestry.

This book is a real gem. It contained so much new information on ancient Ireland and the early development of the Irish people. I was totally surprised when I started to read it and found it so interesting. All of the new archeological information is in here and presented in such a way that it is hard to put the book down. I recommend this to anyone who wants to know about early Ireland, the Celtic culture, the Irish monasteries and the English invasion. Great!

This is not a typical scholarly examination of ancient Ireland. Ms. McCaffrey, accompanied by experts from the various periods, takes the reader on a journey through the Island visiting many of the most important historical sites. And much is to be learned as the most current research is shared. However, the most appealing aspect of the work is McCaffrey's beautifully descriptive reports from the places visited; she incorporates easy to understand discussion into vivid prose that seems to rise from the page & take hold of the reader. Highlights include Patrick's first wanderings & the beginnings of Christianity in the 5th century; life in the monasteries as monks build communities while diligently reproducing & preserving the great illuminated manuscripts--the visits to Clonmacnoise & Skelligmichael are particularly engaging; the Viking raids, which have never before been told with so much realism--the logistics of these sea & inlet manouvers left me with a new understanding of the terror inflicted on the native Irish, as well the way these raiders eventually came to shape Irish identity. Much of that period reads like a well crafted novel. If you want to become well versed in Irish history from the very beginning to 1171, this is your book. Highest rating. (When's the sequel?)

In this popular history, the neglected pre-Christian roots of Irish culture are explored, as well as the early medieval period up to the Anglo-Norman invasions. I enjoyed the authors' incorporation of weather catastrophes, tree-ring dating, metallurgy, and archeological scenarios that enlivened the first part of the book. In my opinion, this area could've gained much more in-depth treatment, as the later, post-Patrician era has been done to death repeatedly. But I admit I learned more here than from Thomas Cahill's book, and in a much more stimulating context. The Bronze Age clarified, the myth of the Celtic invasions faded, and the appeal of the Beaker Folk widened. Now finally I know how copper was discovered, too!

Also, in later periods, as with their explanation of potentially soporific subjects like the Eoganacht rivalry with the Ui Neill, the tensions behind Brian Boru's struggle to regain sovereignty, the Viking-Irish uneasy contest and co-existence, and the legends of Patrick and why the northern powers at Armagh propagandized his cult, McCaffrey and Eaton present dramatizations effectively, and not having seen the PBS/RTE videos, I imagine these emerge even more vividly on screen. For many raised on pseudo-Celtic, often 19c-originated founding myths of supposedly Irish lore, the findings here -- reminding me of historical criticism and how it overthrew earlier readings of the Bible in the 19-20 c's -- will be revelatory.

My disappointment lies in the two authors' lack of footnotes. Although a bibliography is given, the absolute lack of following up many of the co-authors' assertions makes this a book that cannot satiate the curiosity of those readers eager to delve further into specific topics raised. While the scholars active in the making of the videos are credited in the preface and in the text when interviewed, their ideas are not necessarily those that the authors use for all of their own assumptions. The lack of follow-through here that would and should have linked the authors with their oral and printed primary and secondary sources diminishes the value of an otherwise promising overview of the pre-1171 period. Still, given the dearth of non-"magickal" and non-academically oriented books introducing readers to this period, it's a worthwhile -- if less than ideal -- survey of early Irish history.

In "In Search of Ancient Ireland," Carmel Mc Caffrey and Leo Eaton have written what is essentially an Irish 'Book of Genesis' that is particularly compelling for Irish Americans who often wonder about their roots. The imagery of the songs and stories we've heard from parents and grandparents are about lost causes and loved ones, the intensely emotional ties of family and place. But true (and literally, radical) identity only comes with long memory, a far reach into the past that makes some sense of who we are now. This book goes a long way in supplying that tribal memory. It is a happy combination of good, current historical scholarship written in very accessible prose. It helps us reassess accepted notions such as the 'Celtic invasion' of Ireland and it contains many pleasant surprises. The St. Patrick we thought we knew, for instance, is very quietly stripped of his imposing Roman vestments, miter, and crosier and what emerges is a very gentle man, a dreamer who never got over his love for the Irish. He is described as returning to Ireland to forge a blend of the Christian and ancient spiritualities that was indeed something new. What may also be a surprise for some is the emphasis McCaffrey and Eaton place on the Irish genius for applied technology. They were sophisticated astronomers, the goldsmiths of Europe, the publishers of intricately artistic manuscripts. The director of the national museum is quoted as saying of the Ardagh chalice and its finely wrought gold and bronze that it was "...a technique that originated in the Roman world and was perfected and developed here by the Irish." Another Roman import that gets a thorough analysis in this book is Christianity. It is a sad part of the story, in a way, because, as the chapter "Irish Monasteries and Scholars" points out, the Irish forged an absolutely original expression of Christian life in their "monastic" settlements. Families lived and worked together, community was based on negotiated arrangements, not on imposed regulation, and scholarship and preservation of classic texts was a sacred responsibility. That world died as this book ends. But as you close this book you realize that what did not die is the Irish capacity to resurrect its genius again and again just when it is needed the most.

This book is a wonderful exploration into the origins of Ireland and the Irish. I learned so much from this. The authors bring fresh informaion from the new archeological source material as well as careful analysis of the ancient Irish texts. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn about pre-historic Ireland and into the Christian period. The Celtic question is clearly dealt with - did they come to Ireland? I enjoyed this scholarly discussion. All this was new to me. I also agree with the reviewer who praised the final chapter on the English invasion. Clearly stated and with great insight into the period.

I found this book to be an excellent overview of the current status of scholarship as regards the origins of the Irish people. The details are well presented and well written and make for a great introduction for students. I have used it in the classroom as a excellent tool to go along with the DVD of the TV series. The authors have successfully found the way to make learning fun and approachable. They combine personal experiences and descriptions of historic sites with the current knowledge of archeologists, pre-historians and into the early historic period. I recommend it for all who want to explore current scholarship on Ireland.

I really enjoyed this book very much. Firstly I enjoyed reading so much about the ancient history of Ireland into medieval times. As others have said, there is much that is new here and in that it differs from others book on the same period. I found the information on Irish monasteries fascinating!
The book reads in a very clear concise way. But I also liked the way the book is set out. What I particularly liked is the way the chapters are sub-headed with sub titles so that the book is easy to reference. For instance if you want to go back to a chapter you can find a subject very easily and quickly without having to read through the entire chapter to find it. I think this is a very intelligent way to layout a book. It makes for very easy reference. I recommend this to anyone who wants to investigate early Irish history and the origins of the Irish race. The book can be used as an excellent and easy reference guide.

In In Search Of Ancient Ireland, the origins of the Irish people from neolithic times to the coming of the English is enhanced with new information based on recent discoveries in archaeological history. In Search Of Ancient Ireland is a clearly recommended pick for anyone interested in an updated, scholarly research tool covering the latest truths about Irish history. The Irish are not even Celtic in a true archaeological sense, the authors maintain: most Irish history is rooted in modern times and perceptions, and In Search Of Ancient Ireland provides an important gateway to understanding early Irish roots.