Description

An Archaeology of Southwest Ireland, 1570–1670 is a landmark study of one of the most transformative centuries in Irish history. Written by archaeologist Colin Breen, the book investigates how political upheaval, plantation, Cromwellian intervention, and economic expansion altered the landscapes, settlements, and communities of southwest Ireland during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Drawing on archaeological excavations, historical documents, maps, and material evidence, Breen examines the emergence of new towns, rural settlements, ports, fortifications, industries, and transport networks throughout Munster. He explores changing patterns of land ownership, agricultural development, fishing, iron production, and the influence of religious institutions, revealing how these developments fundamentally reshaped both the physical landscape and everyday life.

Richly illustrated and supported by extensive research, this pioneering work bridges archaeology and history to provide a comprehensive understanding of early modern Ireland. An essential resource for archaeologists, historians, students, and anyone interested in Ireland’s cultural heritage, An Archaeology of Southwest Ireland, 1570–1670 remains one of the most important studies of the period.