Imagining Ireland's Pasts describes how various authors addressed the history of early modern Ireland over four centuries and explains why they could not settle on an agreed narrative. It shows how conflicting interpretations broke frequently along denominational lines, but that authors were also influenced by ethnic, cultural, and political considerations, and by whether they were resident in Ireland or living in exile. Imagining Ireland's Past: Early Modern Ireland through the Centuries details how authors extolled the merits of their progenitors, offered hope and guidance to the particular audience they addressed, and disputed opposing narratives. The author shows how competing scholars, whether contributing to vernacular histories or empirical studies, became transfixed by the traumatic events of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as they sought to explain either how stability had finally been achieved, or how the descendants of those who had been wronged might secure redress.

About the Author
Now a Professor Emeritus, Nicholas Canny was Professor of History at the NUI Galway, Founding Director of the Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities, and President of the Royal Irish Academy. He is the author of Making Ireland British, 1580-1650 (OUP, 2001), which won the Irish Historical Research Prize, 2001, co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of the Atlantic World (OUP, 2011), and The Origins of Empire (OUP, 1998) amongst other publications.

Reviews
This study is a distinctive landmakr, seemingly far removed from the 'snappy' book that Canny originally intended. * John Gibney, Royal Irish Academy, History Ireland *
Written in an authoritative and engaging style, this remarkable historical study is eloquent testimony to Canny's inspirational passion for and commitment to early modern Irish history. A landmark contribution to Irish historiography, it is essential reading for anybody interested in how Irish history has been remembered and used to serve present purposes down through the centuries. * Marian Lyons, The Irish Times *


Awards
Winner of Shortlisted, Michel Deon Prize, Royal Irish Academy.



Book Information
ISBN 9780198808961
Author Prof Nicholas Canny
Format Hardback
Page Count 432
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 792g
Dimensions(mm) 242mm * 162mm * 28mm