The long and acrimonious exchange of pamphlets, which surrounded publication of Richard Woodward’s Present State of the Church ofIreland in December 1786 has attracted a good deal of comment from historians interested in the Whiteboys, resistance to tithes and interdenominational relations in Ireland. Emphasising the importance of theoretical reflexivity in critical practice, W.J> Mc Cormack goes beyonf commentary to establish a full and annotated list of the publications involved. His bibliographical research is carefully placed wihin a wider context of interpretation, drawing on Anglo-American linguistic philosophy, German critical theoty and Begriffsgeschichte, and the findings of fellow Irish researchers.