A Popular History of Ireland:
from the Earliest Period to the Emancipation of the Catholics

By Thomas D'Arcy McGee

This classic history of Ireland includes a wealth of material of interest to anyone who wants to learn about Ireland's past. The author was Irish born, but lived his later years in Canada. Active in Canadian politics, McGee is hailed as one of the fathers of Canadian Federation. He was assasinated in 1868.

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0000 Title Page and Introduction
0001 BOOK I - CHAPTER I. -- The First Inhabitants
0002 BOOK I - CHAPTER II. -- The First Ages
0003 BOOK I - CHAPTER III. -- Christianity Preached at Tara -- The Result
0004 BOOK I - CHAPTER IV. -- The Constitution, and how the Kings kept it
0005 BOOK I - CHAPTER V. -- Reign of Hugh II. -- The Irish Colony in Scotland obtains its Independence
0006 BOOK I - CHAPTER VI. -- Kings of the Seventh Century
0007 BOOK I - CHAPTER VII. -- Kings of the Eighth Century
0008 BOOK I - CHAPTER VIII. -- What the Irish Schools and Saints did in the Three First Christian Centuries
0009 BOOK II - CHAPTER I. -- The Danish Invasion
0010 BOOK II - CHAPTER II. -- Kings of the Ninth Century (Continued) -- Nial III. -- Malachy I. -- Hugh VII
0011 BOOK II - CHAPTER III. -- Reign of Flan "of the Shannon" (A.D. 879 to 916)
0012 BOOK II - CHAPTER IV. -- Kings of the Tenth Century -- Nial IV. -- Donogh II. -- Congal III. -- Donald IV
0013 BOOK II - CHAPTER V. -- Reign of Malachy II. and Rivalry of Brian
0014 BOOK II - CHAPTER VI. -- Brian, Ard-Righ -- Battle of Clontarf
0015 BOOK II - CHAPTER VII. -- Effects of the Rivalry of Brian and Malachy on the Ancient Constitution
0016 BOOK II - CHAPTER VIII. -- Latter Days of the Northmen in Ireland
0017 BOOK III - CHAPTER I. -- The Fortunes of the Family of Brian
0018 BOOK III - CHAPTER II. -- The Contest between the North and South -- Rise of the Family of OConor
0019 BOOK III - CHAPTER III. -- Thorlogh More OConor -- Murkertach of Aileach -- Accession of Roderick OConor
0020 BOOK III - CHAPTER IV. -- State of Religion and Learning among the Irish previous to the Anglo-Norman Invasion
0021 BOOK III - CHAPTER V. -- Social Condition of the Irish previous to the Norman Invasion
0022 BOOK III - CHAPTER VI. -- Foreign Relations of the Irish previous to the Anglo-Norman Invasion
0023 BOOK IV - CHAPTER I. -- Dermid McMurroghs Negotiations and Success -- The First Expedition of the Normans into Ireland
0024 BOOK IV - CHAPTER II. -- The Arms, Armour and Tactics of the Normans and Irish
0025 BOOK IV - CHAPTER III. -- The First Campaign of Earl Richard -- Siege of Dublin -- Death of King Dermid McMurrogh
0026 BOOK IV - CHAPTER IV. -- Second Campaign of Earl Richard -- Henry II. in Ireland
0027 BOOK IV - CHAPTER V. -- From the Return of Henry II. to England till the Death of Earl Richard and his principal Companions
0028 BOOK IV - CHAPTER VI. -- The Last Years of the Ard-Righ, Roderick OConor
0029 BOOK IV - CHAPTER VII. -- Assassination of Hugh de Lacy -- John "Lackland" -- Expeditions of John de Courcy -- Death of Conor Moinmoy, Rise of Cathal "the Red-Handed" OConor -- Careers of De Courcy and De Burgh
0030 BOOK IV - CHAPTER VIII. -- Events of the Thirteenth Century -- The Normans in Connaught
0031 BOOK IV - CHAPTER IX. -- Events of the Thirteenth Century -- The Normans in Munster and Leinster
0032 BOOK IV - CHAPTER X. -- Events of the Thirteenth Century -- The Normans in Meath and Ulster
0033 BOOK IV - CHAPTER XI. -- The Norman Period in Ireland -- Military Tactics -- No Conquest in Thirteenth Century
0034 BOOK IV - CHAPTER XII. -- State of Society and Learning in Ireland during the Norman Period
0035 BOOK V - CHAPTER I. -- The Rise of "the Red Earl" -- Relations of Ireland and Scotland
0036 BOOK V - CHAPTER II. -- The Northern Irish enter into Alliance with King Robert Bruce -- Arrival and First Campaign of Edward Bruce
0037 BOOK V - CHAPTER III. -- Bruces Second Campaign and Coronation at Dundalk -- The Rising in Connaught -- Battle of Athenry -- Robert Bruce in Ireland
0038 BOOK V - CHAPTER IV. -- Battle of Faughard and Death of King Edward Bruce -- Consequences of his Invasion -- Extinction of the Earldom of Ulster -- Irish Opinion of Edward Bruce
0039 BOOK VI - CHAPTER I. -- Civil War in England -- Its Effects on the Anglo-Irish -- The Knights of St. John -- Desire of the Anglo-Irish to Naturalize themselves -- A Policy of Non-Intercourse between the Races
0040 BOOK VI - CHAPTER II. -- Lionel, Duke of Clarence, Lord Lieutenant -- The Penal Code of Race -- "The Statute of Kilkenny," and some of its Consequences
0041 BOOK VI - CHAPTER III. -- Art McMurrogh, Lord of Leinster -- First Expedition of Richard II. of England to Ireland
0042 BOOK VI - CHAPTER IV. -- Subsequent Proceedings of Richard II. -- Lieutenancy and Death of the Earl of March -- Second Expedition of Richard against Art McMurrogh -- Change of Dynasty in England
0043 BOOK VI - CHAPTER V. -- Parties within "the Pale" -- Battles of Kilmainham and Killucan -- Sir John Talbots Lord Lieutenancy
0044 BOOK VI - CHAPTER VI. -- Acts of the Native Princes -- Subdivision of Tribes and Territories -- Anglo-Irish Towns under Native Protection -- Attempt of Thaddeus OBrien, Prince of Thomond, to Restore the Monarchy -- Relations of the Races in the Fifteenth Century
0045 BOOK VI - CHAPTER VII. -- Continued Division and Decline of "the English Interest" -- Richard, Duke of York, Lord Lieutenant -- Civil War again in England -- Execution of the Earl of Desmond -- Ascendancy of the Kildare Geraldines
0046 BOOK VI - CHAPTER VIII. -- The Age and Rule of Gerald, Eighth Earl of Kildare -- The Tide begins to turn for the English Interest -- The Yorkist Pretenders, Simnel and Warbeck -- Poynings Parliament -- Battles of Knockdoe and Monabraher
0047 BOOK VI - CHAPTER IX. -- State of Irish and Anglo -- Irish Society during the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
0048 BOOK VI - CHAPTER X. -- State of Religion and Learning during the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
0049 BOOK VII - CHAPTER I. -- Irish Policy of Henry the Eighth during the Lifetime of Cardinal Wolsey
0050 BOOK VII - CHAPTER II. -- The Insurrection of Silken Thomas -- The Geraldine League -- Administration of Lord Leonard Gray
0051 BOOK VII - CHAPTER III. -- Sir Anthony St. Leger, Lord Deputy -- Negotiations of the Irish Chiefs with James the Fifth -- Protestant Reformation -- Clergy Opposition -- Parliament of 1541 -- Clergy Protectors Excluded -- State of the Country -- The Crowns United-Henry the Eighth
0052 BOOK VII - CHAPTER IV. -- Adhesion of ONeil, ODonnell, and OBrien -- A new Anglo-Irish Peerage -- New Relations of Lord and Tenant -- Bishops appointed by the Crown -- Retrospect
0053 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER I. -- Events of the Reign of Edward Sixth
0054 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER II. -- Events of the Reign of Philip and Mary
0055 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER III. -- Accession of Queen Elizabeth -- Parliament of 1560 -- The Act of Uniformity -- Career and Death of John ONeil "the Proud"
0056 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER IV. -- Sir Henry Sidneys Deputyship -- Parliament of 1569 -- The Second "Geraldine League" -- Sir James Fitzmaurice
0057 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER V. -- The "Undertakers" in Ulster and Leinster -- Defeat and Death of Sir James Fitzmaurice
0058 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER VI. -- Sequel of the Second Geraldine League -- Plantation of Munster -- Early Career of Hugh ONeil, Earl of Tyrone -- Parliament of 1585
0059 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER VII. -- Battle of Glenmalure -- Sir John Perrotts Administration -- The Spanish Armada -- Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam -- Escape of Hugh Roe ODonnell from Dublin Castle -- The Ulster Confederacy formed
0060 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER VIII. -- The Ulster Confederacy -- Feagh Mac Hugh OByrne -- Campaign of 1595 -- Negotiations, English and Spanish -- Battle of the Yellow Ford -- Its Consequences
0061 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER IX. -- Essexs Campaign of 1599 -- Battle of the Curlieu Mountains -- ONeils Negotiations with Spain -- Mountjoy Lord Deputy
0062 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER X. -- Mountjoys Administration -- Operations in Ulster and Munster -- Carews "Wit and Cunning" -- Landing of Spaniards in the South -- Battle of Kinsale -- Death of ODonnell in Spain
0063 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER XI. -- The Conquest of Munster -- Death of Elizabeth, and Submission of ONeil -- "The Articles of Mellifont"
0064 BOOK VIII - CHAPTER XII. -- State of Religion and Learning during the Reign of Elizabeth
0065 BOOK IX - CHAPTER I. -- James I. -- Flight of the Earls -- Confiscation of Ulster -- Penal Laws -- Parliamentary Opposition
0066 BOOK IX - CHAPTER II. -- Last years of James -- Confiscation of the Midland Counties -- Accession of Charles I. -- Grievances and "Graces" -- Administration of Lord Strafford
0067 BOOK IX - CHAPTER III. -- Lord Staffords Impeachment and Execution -- Parliament of 1639-41 -- The Insurrection of 1641 -- The Irish Abroad
0068 BOOK IX - CHAPTER IV. -- The Insurrection of 1641
0069 BOOK IX - CHAPTER V. -- The Catholic Confederation -- Its Civil Government and Military Establishment
0070 BOOK IX - CHAPTER VI. -- The Confederate War -- Campaign of 1643 -- The Cessation
0071 BOOK IX - CHAPTER VII. -- The Cessation and its Consequences
0072 BOOK IX - CHAPTER VIII. -- Glamorgans Treaty -- The New Nuncio Rinuccini -- ONeils Position -- The Battle of Benburb
0073 BOOK IX - CHAPTER IX. -- From the Battle of Benburb till the Landing of Cromwell at Dublin
0074 BOOK IX - CHAPTER X. -- Cromwells Campaign -- 1649-1650
0075 BOOK IX - CHAPTER XI. -- Close of the Confederate War
0076 BOOK IX - CHAPTER XII. -- Ireland under the Protectorate -- Administration of Henry Cromwell -- Death of Oliver
0077 BOOK X - CHAPTER I. -- Reign of Charles II.
0078 BOOK X - CHAPTER II. -- Reign of Charles II. (Concluded)
0079 BOOK X - CHAPTER III. -- The State of Religion and Learning in Ireland during the Seventeenth Century
0080 BOOK X - CHAPTER IV. -- Accession of James II. -- Tyrconnells Administration
0081 BOOK X - CHAPTER V. -- King James to Ireland -- Irish Parliament of 1689
0082 BOOK X - CHAPTER VI. -- The Revolutionary War -- Campaign of 1639 -- Sieges of Derry and Enniskillen
0083 BOOK X - CHAPTER VII. -- The Revolutionary War -- Campaign of 1690 -- Battle of the Boyne -- Its Consequences -- the Sieges of Athlone and Limerick
0084 BOOK X - CHAPTER VIII. -- The Winter of 1690-91
0085 BOOK X - CHAPTER IX. -- The Revolutionary War -- Campaign of 1691 -- Battle of Aughrim -- Capitulation of Limerick
0086 BOOK X - CHAPTER X. -- Reign of King William
0087 BOOK X - CHAPTER XI. -- Reign of Queen Anne
0088 BOOK X - CHAPTER XII. -- The Irish Soldiers Abroad, during the Reigns of William and Anne
0089 BOOK XI - CHAPTER I. -- Accession of George I. -- Swifts Leadership
0090 BOOK XI - CHAPTER II. -- Reign of George II. -- Growth of Public Spirit -- The "Patriot" Party -- Lord Chesterfields Administration
0091 BOOK XI - CHAPTER III. -- The Last Jacobite Movement -- The Irish Soldiers Abroad -- French Expedition under Thurot, or OFarrell
0092 BOOK XI - CHAPTER IV. -- Reign of George II. (Concluded) -- Malones Leadership
0093 BOOK XI - CHAPTER V. -- Accession of George III. -- Floods Leadership -- Octennial Parliaments Established
0094 BOOK XI - CHAPTER VI. -- Floods Leadership -- State of the Country between 1760 and 1776
0095 BOOK XI - CHAPTER VII. -- Grattans Leadership -- "Free Trade" and the Volunteers
0096 BOOK XI - CHAPTER VIII. -- Grattans Leadership -- Legislative and Judicial Independence Established
0097 BOOK XI - CHAPTER IX. -- The Era of Independence -- First Period
0098 BOOK XI - CHAPTER X. -- The Era of Independence -- Second Period
0099 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XI. -- The Era of Independence -- Third Period -- Catholic Relief Bill of 1793
0100 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XII. -- The Era of Independence -- Effects of the French Revolution in Ireland -- Secession of Grattan, Curran, and their Friends, from Parliament, in 1797
0101 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XIII. -- The United Irishmen
0102 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XIV. -- Negotiations with France and Holland -- The Three Expeditions Negotiated by Tone and Lewines
0103 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XV. -- The Insurrection of 1798
0104 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XVI. -- The Insurrection of 1798 -- The Wexford Insurrection
0105 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XVII. -- The Insurrection elsewhere -- Fate of the Leading United Irishmen
0106 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XVIII. -- Administration of Lord Cornwallis -- Before the Union
0107 BOOK XI - CHAPTER XIX. -- Last Session of the Irish Parliament -- The Legislative Union of Great Britain and Ireland
0108 BOOK XII - CHAPTER I. -- After the Union -- Death of Lord Clare -- Robert Emmets Emeute
0109 BOOK XII - CHAPTER II. -- Administration of Lord Hardwick (1801 to 1806), and of the Duke of Bedford (1806 to 1808)
0110 BOOK XII - CHAPTER III. -- Administration of the Duke of Richmond (1807 to 1813)
0111 BOOK XII - CHAPTER IV. -- OConnells Leadership -- 1813 to 1821
0112 BOOK XII - CHAPTER V. -- Retrospect of the State of Religion and Learning during the Reign of George III
0113 BOOK XII - CHAPTER VI. -- The Irish Abroad, during the Reign of George III
0114 BOOK XII - CHAPTER VII. -- OConnells Leadership -- The Catholic Association -- 1821 to 1825
0115 BOOK XII - CHAPTER VIII. -- OConnells Leadership -- The Clare Election -- Emancipation of the Catholics