UK books and maps

Northern Ireland: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introduction S.)

From the Plantation of Ulster in the seventeenth century to the entry into peace talks in the late twentieth century, the Northern Irish people have been engaged in conflict - Catholic against Protestant, and Republican against Unionist. Marc Mulholland explores the pivotal moments in Northern Irish history - the rise of republicanism in the 1800s, Home Rule and the civil rights movement, the growth of Sinn Fein and the provisional IRA, and of the opposition, the DUP, led by Dr. Ian Paisley. His detailed examination of the violent upheaval of the last century, epitomized by the killing of 13 civilian demonstrators on Bloody Sunday, culminates in the controversy surrounding the current ongoing peace process. Over 300 years on, the question still remains: can two identities and national allegiances be accommodated in the same state without oppression, rebellion, or violence?

Price: £5.75

Publication: Paperback 184 pages (January 23, 2003)

   

Irish Coastal Walks

Ireland is a small country, but its coastline measures around 3500 miles (5600km). The western seaboard is incredibly convoluted, breaking into fine headlands and a spread of islands. While many parts of Ireland's coastline are well known, such as the Giant's Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher, few have heard of the Wexford Coastal Path, the Sheep's Head or Inishturk. This guide covers over fifty coastal walks around Ireland, taking in broad beaches, towering cliffs, battered headlands and a score of lovely islands. There is a huge amount of variety, astounding scenery, plenty of history and heritage, with a good system of transport, accommodation and other services. In sunshine or storm, many of these coastal walks exhibit a raw, rare beauty. The walks are of course all coastal. However, they are also remarkably varied and represent a good selection of routes which include cliffs and rocky headlands, marshes, dunes and estuaries, with plenty of wilderness and little industry. The classic coastal names are there: Bray Head, the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant's Causeway. A spread of fascinating islands includes the Aran Islands, Clare Island, Achill Island, Tory Island and Rathlin. In fact, there are a total of 54 coastal walks including 19 walks on islands. Most of the walks are quite easy, but some are akin to mountain walks, climbing over some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The walks are numbered and arranged in a clockwise direction around the coast, starting north of Dublin, taking in the eastern, southern and western coasts, ending in Northern Ireland.

Price: £8.40

Publication: Paperback 160 pages (October 1999)

   

Northern Ireland: A Walking Guide

This guide presents top-class walking routes in Northern Ireland. From rugged mountain peaks to spectacular coastal scenery, from challenging hill walks to shorter woodland and waterside excursions, there is something for everyone. Every part of the region is covered, from the mountains of Mourne to the Giant's Causeway, from Fermanagh's 'lake district' to the rolling Sperrins. Routes vary from two-hour strolls to eight-hour upland challenges. Much thought has gone into making this guide easy to use: each route, prefaced with a quick-reference summary, is illustrated with a clear sketch map; descriptions include detailed access information while points of interest are highlighted flora and fauna, history, archaeology and folklore. A compact region with huge scenic variety, Northern Ireland is ideal for walking yet is often overlooked. This authoritative guide is changing that, using the author's enthusiasm and knowledge.

Price: £9.09

Publication: 31 May 2012