The early modern period was a time of great change in Ireland. The lordships of Gaelic Ireland were replaced by centralized state of the Tudor and Stuart monarchy. New English and Scottish settlers came to live in Ireland and the land ownership of the country was transformed. The economy also underwent change as towns and markets were developed and Gaelic landowning patterns gave way to English forms of land inheritance.
The book examines relations between the new and old landlords and traces the developments that led to the outbreak of the 1641 risingin Sligo. It analyses the varied reasons why different social groups supported the rising and traces their fates after the rebellion.
