Social Change and Everyday Life in Ireland, 1850-1922

by Caitriona Clear

Men and women who were born, grew up and died in Ireland between 1850 and 1922 made decisions - to train, to emigrate, to stay at home, to marry, to stay single, to stay at school - based on the knowledge and resources they had at the time. This, the first comprehensive social history of Ireland for the period 1850-1922 to appear since 1981, tries to understand that knowledge and to discuss those resources on the island, for men and women at all social levels, as a whole.

Using original research, particularly on extreme poverty and public health, and neglected published sources - local history journals, popular autobiography, newspapers - as well as folklore and Irish language sources, this is a remarkable study on a crucial period in Irish history. However, it is also a lively read, reproducing the voices of the people and the stories of individuals whenever it can, questioning much of the accepted wisdom of Irish historiography over the past five decades.

A fascinating book on Irish social history that will be enjoyed by both the student and general reader, written in a non-cliched, jargon-free style.

• ISBN10: 0719074371
• ISBN13: 9780719074370
• Publish Date: 1 October 2007
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Manchester University Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

[wyvernfriend]

While it does read like a series of lectures on the topic it is an interesting look at a time of great change in Ireland from urban to rural and from farmer focus to factory focus. This is the post-famine era up to independence so it's quite a busy time in Ireland and a complete change in focus and society.

A great glimpse into the period but I'm not sure sometimes that things are quite as easily explained as they're presented.