Can anyone recommend a good book on 20th century Irish history?

[Fear Boirche]

I'm not interested in getting an eternal debate here, but could any history buffs recommend a good book on 20th century Irish history?

[HiMucker]

The Orange state is an excellent factual account of Irish history from the 20th centruy onwards.  It is a must read if you are studying Irish history.

[Nally Stand]

These three books should cover you everything you need to know:

A Season of Sundays (football) 2003
A Season of Sundays (football) 2005
A Season of Sundays (football) 2008

[Donnellys Hollow]

These three books should cover you everything you need to know:

A Season of Sundays (football) 2003
A Season of Sundays (football) 2005
A Season of Sundays (football) 2008

20th century??

[Nally Stand]

These three books should cover you everything you need to know:

A Season of Sundays (football) 2003
A Season of Sundays (football) 2005
A Season of Sundays (football) 2008

20th century??

Woops  Ah sure pre-2003/2005/2008 was just a preparatory phase and henceforth, irrelevant.


Maybe 'A Season of Sundays 1986'? Just don't read the last few pages.

[deiseach]

Ireland, 1912-1985: Politics and Society by JJ Lee. Only three-quarters of the century, but required reading for an understanding of Ireland in that period. His analysis of the political situation in 1912 in the first twenty pages will have tears of laughter rolling down your cheeks - unless you're a Unionist, when they'll be tears of rage

[deiseach]

Ah sure pre-2003/2005/2008 was just a preparatory phase and henceforth, irrelevant.

You sound like Fukuyama Fearon now. The history of the GAA ended in 2002

[brokencrossbar1]

Ireland, 1912-1985: Politics and Society by JJ Lee. Only three-quarters of the century, but required reading for an understanding of Ireland in that period. His analysis of the political situation in 1912 in the first twenty pages will have tears of laughter rolling down your cheeks - unless you're a Unionist, when they'll be tears of rage

+1 was one of the mainstays of my A level history study.  Well worth it.  I must start reading those books again after I finish Joes book.

[seafoid]

http://www.bookshop.kennys.ie/book/IE/9781861974433/TRANSFORMATION_OF_IRELAND_19002000

Transformation of Ireland 1900-2000 by Diarmuid Ferriter

[Donnellys Hollow]

Ireland in the Twentieth Century by John A. Murphy.

[J70]

A grad school housemate had done his undergrad at UCC. Apparently Joe Lee's lectures used to be packed, even by people not studying history.

[stibhan]

Don't buy Modern Ireland by Foster. Or anything by him, really.

All that have been suggested seem fine, Terence Brown's 'A Social and Cultural History' is pretty fantastic as well though, with an emphasis on the literature and culture of Ireland.