The Shortest History of Ireland

James Hawes’s The Shortest History of Ireland is based at every step on the latest scholarship, but it’s all brought together, for once, as a fluent story, as captivating as a novel, galloping from the Ice Age to the present, using language, graphics and images accessible to all.

It will change the way people see the Irish past, flipping usual practice on its head and placing Ireland at the centre not just of Irish but British and at times even European history.

Hawes concludes by arguing that if Ireland can now sidestep the last, toxic wreckage of the British Empire, its eventful past will flow into a bright future.

From the bestselling author of The Shortest History of Germany and The Shortest History of England, this is popular history at its thrilling best.

Ideal for readers who:

• Seek a fast, highly accessible journey through Irish history from the deep past right up to the modern era.
• Appreciate rigorous academic scholarship translated into a fluent narrative rather than a dense textbook.
• Want to see Ireland's historical trajectory recontextualised in relation to Britain, Europe and global empires.
• Value engaging popular history that combines breakneck pace, strong arguments and clear visual support.

ISBN

9781913083366

Format

Hardback

Publisher

Old Street Publishing, (03 March 2026)

Weight

390 grams

Language

English

Dimensions

225 x 145 x 30 mm

Series:

See all books in this series

Categories:

Specific events and topics European Violence and abuse in society