For the revised paperback edition of companion many entries have been updated and an appendix has been added. The Companion , which covers a period from c.1450 to the present, continues to serve the needs of readers whose interests lie well beyond the familiar boundaries of Irish culture. At the same time it provides fresh critical insight into those traditionally more prominent subjects such as literature and political history. Extensive and original coverage is given to architecture, music, painting, and other arts, with stress upon their broader European contexts. While the Companion is packed with names, dates, and facts, its main focus is on providing new perspectives on Irish culture, with an emphasis upon history and context. Key among these innovations is the treatment of a number of important Irish men and women. The whole is served by a comprehensive index.