THE NUMBER 1 IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

An Irish Times Book of the Year 2024

Ireland is a strikingly different country now than it was in the mid-1990s. Dramatic economic, social, and cultural changes, including the Celtic Tiger boom and increasingly secular debates about abortion, the status of women, and same-sex marriage highlighted the scale of transformation. The new diversity of the population and literary and musical talents also revealed a country undergoing rapid change.

The road to peace—which saw an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland and culminated in the first visit to southern Ireland by a reigning British monarch in 100 years—shined a light on the new Anglo-Irish relationship. Shocking revelations about deep betrayals from the past undermined the credibility of the traditionally influential Catholic Church. And following the 2008 financial crisis, Ireland bounced back and rebuilt successfully, but continued to struggle with health and housing issues. Economic recovery, the end of civil war politics, closer European integration, and highs in Anglo-Irish relations were followed by Brexit setbacks and growing discussions of Irish unity.

There is much to open people's eyes in this compelling account of modern Ireland. As the Republic enters its second century of independence, and the North continues to confront the legacy of the Troubles, Diarmaid Ferriter provides a historical perspective on post-1990s Ireland, and what lies hidden in its archives.

Pages: 560, Year of Publication: 2004, Dimensions: 12.8x12.8cm