Liam O'Callaghan Knihy

The book explores the complex relationship between Irish rugby and the island's political landscape, revealing how the sport evolved amid historical tensions of politics, religion, and class. It delves into the surprising embrace of rugby by Catholic schools, traditionally associated with the Anglo-Protestant elite, and examines how the sport became a unifying force despite its controversial past, including the Northern Troubles and issues surrounding professionalism. O'Callaghan's work serves as a social and political history of modern Ireland, enriched with compelling narratives and original research.

Covering the period from the game's origins in Ireland in the 1870s through to the onset of professional rugby in the twenty-first century, this book seeks to examine Munster rugby within the context of broader social, cultural and political trends in Irish society.

100 Irish Artists, 100 Colour Plates. 6 Commentaries from respected writers such as: Mebh Ruane, Colin Graham, Valerie Connor, Fiona Kearney, Brian Hand and Noel Kelly - Creative Ireland: The Visual Arts will fast become the most desirable visual arts book this season. Creative Ireland: The Visual Arts presents an attractive record of the early 21st century contemporary visual arts in Ireland with 100 artists who have been selected for their specific contribution to the contemporary arts in the first years of the 21st Century. Aimed at a general audience, as well as the art connoisseur and enthusiast, each artist is profiled with an iconic example of their practice shown in full colour. The texts are engaging as they explain Ireland within the context of the early 21st century, and the impact that this has had socially, economically and culturally. The book is in an attractive format, and is priced at a level that makes it affordable.