I recently discovered that my 1 year-old daughter had already chosen a favourite book, one she has undoubtedly picked for the colourful flaps and dynamic pictures of dinosaurs. When I ask what she’d like to read, she has no hesitation, through pointing and screaming, which one it is. I only hope this is a sign that she is well on her way to fulfilling her father’s dream of becoming a palaeontologist, toy dinosaurs or not.
But as we get older, it gets harder and harder to choose a ‘favourite book’; indeed the question becomes somewhat meaningless when applied in a generic fashion (my taste in fiction is completely different to non-fiction). But for me, there’s no doubt that Joyce’s work is, and probably will always be, my favourite source on Irish history. Its quality, richness, and breadth is simply unparalleled by any other work I have read to date. There’s no attempt at narrative, no embellishment. It simply provides a descriptive and factual picture of ancient Irish society, in all its phases. And that is more than compelling enough.
Author: It’s difficult to overstate the quality of Patrick Weston Joyce‘s writing and experience. A central figure in preserving the Irish language, heritage and history, his writings date from 1869-1911. You may wonder whether such dated works are still relevant today, but it’s testament to his scholarship that they remain foundational secondary sources for contemporary historians. I can’t count the times I’ve seen his work referenced by modern scholars, particularly as he had access to source material which no longer exists.
Summary: When I first began my journey into ancient Ireland, I quickly became lost in the debates over textual criticism, hermeneutics, and many other things I didn’t understand. Yet all I wanted was a simple overview of what life was like 2000 years ago and I was quickly growing to despair that this didn’t exist. Either books were poorly researched, filled with speculation rather than evidence, or were far too technical for a layperson to understand. That was until I stumbled across Joyce’s work.
You are probably wondering, as I did too, at the choice of “smaller” in the title. You see this is actually the summary of what is a much larger collection. But rather than make any commitment to his complete works, I decided to wait until I read through this 425 page ‘smaller’ version. However, that was perhaps my mistake, for it was like going to a restaurant and ordering the finest fillet steak. I now have the taste of something so delicious, that I’ve no interest in exploring this greater work, so complete and comprehensive is his summary. I have no doubt that I’d enjoy, and almost certainly will one day explore, this collection, but for now I am thoroughly satisfied.
Beginning with governance, social structures and law, it then progresses into more wider social areas of professions, religion, education, art and the family. The final chapters deal with specific day-to-day aspects of life like food, dress, agriculture, and travel. The list is by far the most comprehensive I’ve found in any book of its type, providing a truly complex and nuanced impression of what life would have been like. There are many illustrations which helpful depict what he describes.
My view: This is not a book to read end-to-end. I did – because I have an unusual love of historical detail. But for the vast majority of people, this book will be far too dry and description. In fact, that’s exactly what it is – wonderfully descriptive in great detail. For the casual reader, this is definitely not a book for you. There’s no narrative, plot, or application to modern culture. It is factual and emphatic, not a thriller by any means. The version I have (Dodo Press) is also quite difficult to navigate, with no page numbers, errors in transcription, and some poorly structured spacing due to print quality. However, despite all of this, it remains my go-to text for any question on ancient Ireland.
Favourite quote:
The ancient Irish were a highly intellectual and interesting people; and the world owes them something, as I hope to be able to show.
Favourite fact: Warriors were not simple-minded, but were expected to have “mastered a certain specified and large amount of poetry and tales” before they’d be allowed to join the ranks of their warrior class. I wonder how are own armies would fare under such criteria today.
Book specification: 425 pages, 27 chapters, published in 1906.
Available for free digitally here: Library Ireland
Usually available to buy here on Amazon but unavailable at time of writing
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