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John P. McCarthy, "Ireland: A Reference Guide From The Renaissance To The Present (European Nations)"

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This encyclopedia, part of the Facts On File European Nations Series, is the latest in a number of excellent reference books on the Emerald Isle. The first 179 pages form a well-written and concise history. The largest section is the A-Z historical dictionary with articles on important people, all 32 counties, culture, politics, and geographic features. The entries range in length from one paragraph to more than a page. The third section is a chronology extending from 8000 BCE to 2005. Two appendixes containing a list of leaders from 1922 to 2005 and 12 maps precede a 10-page bibliography organized by historical periods.

Although the title says this work covers the Renaissance to the present, coverage in fact spans the full spectrum of Irish history. For example, St. Brigid and St. Patrick have entries. In English history, the Renaissance began with the Tudors, but no Irish Renaissance period has been identified. Some important figures are left out, such as actor Peter O'Toole; however, other actors, such as Liam Neeson, are included. The entry for Dervla Murphy does not identify her as a writer although most entries give this type of information. The article on astronomer William Parsons, third Earl of Rosse, does not provide his dates.

This is the fourth Ireland encyclopedia published since 2000, joining The Encyclopedia of Ireland: An A-Z Guide to Its People, Places, History and Culture (Oxford, 2000); Encyclopedia of Ireland (Yale, 2003); and Encyclopedia of Irish History and Culture (Scribner, 2004). The main attraction to this work is the coverage up through the year 2005, when the Provisional IRA announced it would disarm. Despite some editorial flaws, this is a well-researched and well-written encyclopedia. It should be an important purchase for public and academic libraries with a strong demand for information on Irish history. Abbie Vestal Landry

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