Ireland in the 19th Century through Travellers’ Guides

With the Act of Union in 1801, the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland was formed and the relationship between the two nations expanded and deepened not only politically, but also socially and industrially. The British interest in Ireland grew fast and for various reasons, people started travelling widely from Britain to Ireland.

This collection contains facsimile reprints of travel guides during the period of the Union which were published primarily for the British audience and includes descriptions of the society and the people’s life in contemporary Ireland, with illustrations and folding maps as well as detailed practical data for tourists such as prices, method of travel, accommodations and places to stay.

The nineteenth century saw considerable turbulence for Ireland, including the Great Famine of the 1840s, and in order to show the changes that occurred in society throughout the century, the editor of the collection has selected five publications, each appearing in this unique and important transitional period (both pre- and post- Great Famine decades) of the country.

All together they provide scholars and students with an indispensable primary source to research any fields of Irish studies and development of Anglo-Irish relationship.