Glassmaking in Ireland: from the Medieval to the Contemporary

This is a treasure-trove of fascinating information for the scholar, collector and enthusiast alike. In this, the first comprehensive survey of glassmaking in Ireland, the evolution of the industry from the sixteenth through to the twenty-first century is chronicled, and the impact of technological innovation and human invention examined. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the contributors use archaeological, architectural, artistic, historical, economic and pictorial evidence, along with the results of new research, to present an illuminating and fascinating account of glassmaking in Ireland that is accessible to the academic and general reader alike. Among the many topics covered are the origins of Waterford glass and its re-emergence in the 20th Century, the invention of lead crystal glass, the origins of studio and contemporary glass in Ireland and how advanced Irish glass making was compared to English glassmaking of the period.