[Illustration: DANIEL O’CONNELL ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE WORLD’S BEST HISTORIES ❧ IRELAND THE PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF IRELAND IN TWO VOLUMES BY JOHN F. FINERTY PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED IRISH LEAGUE OF AMERICA ILLUSTRATED [Illustration] VOLUME I THE CO-OPERATIVE PUBLICATION SOCIETY NEW YORK AND LONDON ------------------------------------------------------------------------ COPYRIGHT 1904 BY P. F. COLLIER & SON Ireland ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HISTORY OF IRELAND VOLUME ONE Ireland—1 Vol. I ------------------------------------------------------------------------ _CONTENTS_ BOOK I DEALING WITH THE STORY OF THE IRISH PEOPLE FROM 1 THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE ADVENT OF THE REFORMATION IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CHAPTER I Prefatory—Territorial Divisions of 3 Ireland—Physical Features of the Country—Peculiarities of Soil, Climate, and Scenery CHAPTER II Further of the Characteristics and Resources of 12 the Island—Present Form of Government CHAPTER III The Original Inhabitants of Ireland 19 CHAPTER IV The Religion of Ancient Ireland—Many Writers say 24 it was Worship of the Sun, Moon, and Elements CHAPTER V Advent of St. Patrick—His Wonderful Apostolic 29 Career in Ireland—A Captive and a Swineherd for Years, he Escapes and becomes the Regenerator of the Irish Nation CHAPTER VI Ancient Laws and Government of the Irish 35 CHAPTER VII Period of Danish Invasion 47 CHAPTER VIII Battle of Clontarf, A.D. 1014—Total Overthrow of 52 the Danish Army and Power in Ireland CHAPTER IX Desolating Civil Wars Among the Irish 58 CHAPTER X