How I Research
People often ask me how I do my research. I’m currently finishing my third novel set in ancient Ireland, so I’ll talk a little about that. There are many resources and books that people have written over the years. I have several bookshelves full of them. But today, I thought I’d share just three and also give one of them away!
In Search of Ancient Ireland: The Origins of the Irish from Neolithic Times to the Coming of the English
Both the book and the accompanying DVD are excellent. It spans 9000BC to the twelfth century when the Norman Invasions occurred. For my novels I was most interested in the middle part, but it’s so engaging and well written that I enjoyed it all. Here is why (copied from Amazon)
In Search of Ancient Ireland is not simply the story of events from long ago. Across Ireland today are festivals, places, and folk customs that provide a tangible link to events thousands of years past. The authors visit and describe many of these places and festivals, talking to a wide variety of historians, scholars, poets, and storytellers in the very settings where history happened.
A Social History of Ancient Ireland by P.W. Joyce
You can read this free online. Click here. But I enjoy having the two volumes of these in print. I also have A Smaller Social History, which is an abbreviated edition. That book is the first printing in 1908. Patrick Weston Joyce was a nineteenth-century Irish historian. According to Wikipedia In 1856 he was one of fifteen teachers selected to re-organize the national school system in Ireland. He published several books, but these are my favorites because they tell me most of what I needed to know about how the people dressed, what their laws and education were like, what rights women had, what their religions were like and much more!
The Ancient Books of Ireland by Michael Slavin
If you’ve read my Daughters of Ireland Series, particularly Pages of Ireland, you know how important the ancient books were. This book, with photos of pages of the actual historical books, was helpful in helping me understand which books held what information and what the history of each one (throughout the ages) was. It’s not widely available now, but copies can be found.
Only the Tip of the Iceberg
Of course there were many other sources I studied, but these three were by far my favorites and the most helpful. If you want to know more about this time period, check them out. If you want a short synopsis of the early Christian time period of Ireland, see my book The Roots of Irish Wisdom. Only 8.99 in print and 2.99 on Kindle.
Now the Giveaway!
I thought you’d enjoy the DVD mentioned above, so I’m running this contest for a copy. US residents only.
I hope to fulfill a lifelong dream this summer by finally visiting Ireland, where my great-grandmother emigrated from. I have a lot of reading to do between now and then.
That would be a wonderful experience!
I would like to learn whatever I am able. I have ancestors from Ireland and would love to visit there someday.
I hope you do!
I’m really excited about this giveaway. I’ve wanted to research Ireland’s history for sometime. My mothers people were all Irish. She passed away a year and a half ago and I miss her family stories so much. She often talked of the persecution of the Catholics under Cromwell. I would love to know more about that time in history. Thank you for the chance to win this wonderful research book, and I really need to check out your stories.
It’s actually a DVD, Kathleen, but I’m sure you’d enjoy it!
Actually where my ancestors were from way back then and my husbands also.
What it was like there.
Linda
I hope you find out!
I would like to know more about the pagan ceremonies, and celebrations. Plus, I love the history. Especially, related to the Vikings, and the nobility. And, of course, the castles.
There is not a whole lot we know about the pagans, but I think you’d still enjoy what this covers.
Kathy: https://www.rt.com/news/415654-irish-viking-settlement-discovery/
I’m sure what I’d like to learn about ancient Ireland. I’d love to learn whatever information is offered. I love history so I’m sure the DVD would be full of interesting information.
Awesome!
I would learn more of its rich history and every picture I have ever seen has been absolutely beautiful! Plus I do have Irish ancestors I would love to find family that still lives there I have heard that some stayed?
I hope you find some cousins, Sam!
Seriously love Ireland! It’s be amazing to watch that dvd!! Can’t wait to check out some of the books you mentioned.
Thanks for stopping by, Corissa!
Wow! Thanks for the chance to win the DVD. I would love to learn more about the rich religious history in Ireland.
Thanks for entering, Carrie!
Visiting Ireland is one of my dreams! 🙂 What do I want to learn about it? Well, I don’t know, basically everything! 🙂 I love hearing about the history of a land. What happened that made it become what it is today? Who were the influential people? How has the hand of God been evident over the years?
I can’t wait to read your newest book!! 🙂
Those are some great questions, Rosalyn!
My roots are Irish and Scottish, so I hope to get to visit one day. I’m fascinated by all the history, castles, lore, and superstition.
Me too! I hope you can go soon, Deidre!
I always love to learn about the castles and culture of the past of Ireland. 🙂
Castles are from the Norman era, at least those remaining. But I believe the kings still had some kind of structure that were castles or royal houses. A challenge for me writing in the 5-6th century!
The books sound so amazing. I can’t imagine what the DVD imparts. Thank you for the chance.
Glad you’re interested, Penny, and I’m not alone!
I would love to learn about the origins of Ancient Ireland and more about where my ancestors are from.
Great! Thanks for coming by, Stephanie!
I would like to learn more about the culture from that time.