The monograph begins by examining the history of such studies in Ireland, and goes on to reveal that the archaeology of lake settlement is more extensive and complex than is generally understood. It describes the often overlooked archaeological evidence for the lakeshore habitations of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers, and outlines the extensive evidence for Bronze Age lake settlements. The lakeshore settlements, monastic islands and castles is explored in detail. It is argued that lake settlement now needs to be investigated by means of multi-period, regional palaeoenvironmental evidence. The volume proposes theoretical and methodological approaches.