Ireland in the New Century

About the Book

Ireland in the New Century by Sir Horace Plunkett is a historical and political study of Ireland's social, economic, agricultural, educational, and political conditions at the beginning of the twentieth century. First published in London by John Murray in 1904, the book reflects Plunkett's experience in Irish public life and his involvement in agricultural cooperation and rural development.

Plunkett examines what he saw as the major challenges facing Ireland and considers how economic development, education, rural organization, industry, and political life were connected. His discussion places particular emphasis on practical efforts to improve agriculture and rural communities through cooperation and self-help.

Ireland's Social and Economic Questions

The book is divided into theoretical and practical sections. Early chapters examine the relationship between England and Ireland, the Irish political question, the influence of politics and religion on Irish life, rural conditions, education, and the development of a more practical approach to national affairs.

The practical section focuses heavily on agricultural cooperation and economic development. Plunkett discusses the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, cooperative creameries, rural industries, agricultural banks, government administration, agricultural education, technical instruction, domestic economy, and sea fisheries. He presents cooperation and organized self-help as important elements of his proposed approach to Ireland's economic development.

Because the book was written in 1903–1904, its political and social observations belong to that historical period. It is therefore particularly valuable as a primary-source perspective on Ireland during the early years of the twentieth century rather than as a contemporary account of Irish affairs.

Who Is It For?

Ireland in the New Century is suited to readers interested in Irish history, political history, economic history, agriculture, rural development, social history, and the history of Irish nationalism and public policy. It can also be useful to students and researchers studying Ireland's political and economic development around the beginning of the twentieth century.

Key Features

Irish history; political history; economic history; Ireland in the early twentieth century; agriculture and rural development; cooperative movement; Irish politics; education; religion and society; industrial development; agricultural organization; self-help and cooperation; Horace Plunkett

Product Details

Author: Sir Horace Curzon Plunkett; Publisher: John Murray; Original Publication Year: 1904; Language: English; Original Edition: London, 1904; Original Pagination: xviii, 300 pages; Genre: History, Politics & Economics; Subjects: Irish History, Politics and Government, Economic Conditions, Agriculture and Social History.

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