Irish Land Conflicts explores how disputes between landlords and tenants evolved into a century-long struggle that profoundly shaped Ireland's identity. The book examines the oppressive tenancy laws, widespread evictions, and the rise of agrarian resistance, highlighting that the land question was not just about economics, but a fight for social justice and national self-determination.
One intriguing aspect is the role of evictions, which had a devastating impact on rural communities, and another is how restrictive tenancy laws left farmers vulnerable to arbitrary rent increases.
Beginning with the historical context of land ownership from the Plantation era, the book dissects the land system's components and the motivations of key players like landlords, tenants, and the British government. It analyzes the Land War of 1879-1882 and subsequent legislative reforms, assessing their effectiveness.
The book uniquely blends primary sources with insights from legal history, social history, and political science. It connects the Irish experience to broader themes of colonialism and economic inequality, revealing its relevance to global struggles.
The book progresses by first establishing the historical, legal, and social frameworks before examining the key players and culminating in an analysis of the Land War and its aftermath.
