| Ireland and the British Empire Kevin Kenny, ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), 320 pages Reviewed by: John Harney, University of Texas at Austin The five volumes of the Oxford History of the British Empire explore the meaning of British imperialism for the ruled as well as the rulers and the relevance of the British Empire as a theme in world history. The Companion Series, of which Ireland and the British Empire is part, further examines themes that for various reasons could not be covered in the original five volumes. The relationship between the Irish and their erstwhile imperial neighbors warrants this extra space for discussion. The Irish occupy an interesting position in the history of imperialism, as the nature of the relationship between Ireland and England has never been clear-cut. The heterogenic composition of Irish society along highly politicized religious lines, in addition to the further politicizing of Irish history for political purposes since the famine of 1845-1849, raises questions about British intervention in Ireland or the lack thereof. Looking back on Irish history before the emancipation of the Catholic majority, it proves difficult to situate Ireland, which has been described as both a colony and a kingdom, while also being a ‘partner’ in the Union of 1801, within discussions of imperialism. Irish academia’s attempts in recent years to place Irish history in a post-colonial context complicate matters further. Ireland and the British Empire cuts through this post-colonial reading in the best way it can: the arguments put forward are solid works of history, arranged chronologically and united in the themes explored. Chief among these is the question of Irish identity within the British Empire, the ‘willingness’, if such a thing can be measured, of the Irish contribution to empire and the extent of that contribution. It is an uneasy tightrope upon which to balance because for many the very idea that the Irish benefited from their role in the British Empire proves incredibly unpalatable. Kevin Kenny and his contributors deserve credit for achieving resolute objectivity on a sensitive subject. Ireland and the British Empire deserves recommendation as a textbook for students of British history and for its accessibility by people with a personal interest in the subject, save the occasional bloc of statistical information or stream of post-colonial theory more or less unavoidable in this kind of work. As an addition to a mature discussion of Irish history, it is a fine piece of work indeed. This book stands as a worthy addition to the Oxford History of the British Empire Companion Series and should serve as one of the first stops for those wishing to develop an interest in post-colonial readings of the relationship between the Irish and the British. |
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