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 The
Honourable The Irish Society and the Plantation of Ulster 1608-2000
Queen Elizabeth I sent the first of many English forces to counteract
a rebellion of the Ulster Earls in 1593, but it was not until
nine years later, after a ferocious and expensive war, that the
Irish submitted to King James, who had acceded to the Throne in
1603. The subsequent 'Flight of the Earls' (1607) left huge tracts
of land in the North of Ireland forfeit to the Crown: these the
State determined to settle with Scots and English colonists whose
loyalty would ensure, in theory, no further rebellions, and prevent
or impede any 'back-door' invasion of England by hostile European
powers. Lacking funds for this purpose, the King coerced the City
of London, through its 55 Livery Companies, to finance part of
the venture (known as The Plantation of Ulster). Thus the City
and its Livery Companies became reluctant landlords and developers
of a specially created new shire (composed of the then existing
County of Coleraine to which parts of Counties Antrim, Donegal,
and Tyrone were added) called the County of Londonderry (there
never was an Irish County 'Derry'), and, to manage the business,
a body was established in London which became known as The Honourable
The Irish Society: it exists to this day.
In this major study, Curl traces the historical events leading
to the involvement of the City of London in Ireland over nearly
four centuries, and describes the problems of the native Irish
and the colonists with care, sensitivity, and insight. Drawing
upon the extensive archives of The Irish Society and the Livery
Companies, as well as other sources, he pulls together many threads,
of sundry shades, to provide a balanced, detailed, and fascinating
book, profusely illustrated with modern and historical images.
Vivid with anecdote, and placing the story firmly within a coherent
historical context, Curl's book is a valuable aid to understanding
matters that have had momentous consequences, not only for Ireland,
but for the political development of Great Britain. The far-reaching
effects are still very much with us today.
The Honourable The Irish Society and the Plantation of Ulster,
1608-2000: The City of London and the Colonisation of County Londonderry
in the Province of Ulster in Ireland. A History and Critique
(Chichester: Phillimore & Co Ltd, 2000).
ISBN: 1 86077 136 X (hbk.)
Click for details on how to purchase this book
Web site of The
Honourable The Irish Society
Reviews
'...a history ...of obstinate retreat recorded with scholarly
integrity...'
Country Life
'A brief review cannot do justice to a work of such quality as
this....Thirteen manageable chapters ...reveal [an] impressive
and universal command of detail and interpretation. ...The volume
is liberally and superbly illustrated, complementing a number
of valuable maps, and accompanying a useful, detailed, twenty-page
glossary. The production is characterised by Professor Curl's
erudition and fluent, articulate style...You will not find a better
volume on the subject.'
Due North. the Magazine of the Federation for Ulster Local
Studies
'Curl paints a vivid picture....set against a detailed background
of historical events...The story of the London Companies' involvement...was
a remarkable one, with close parallels to various other...companies
that had been set up in America and Asia at the same time...'
Newsletter of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great
Britain
'...a magnificent and monumental work...a model of wisdom, patience,
historical accuracy, and absolute even-handedness...the definitive
study of an important link between London and Ulster...'
Professor David Watkin: University of Cambridge
'Curl's scholarship and insights should be read by all politicians
and commentators who seem to lose their senses when dealing with
Ireland...'
Professor Timothy Mowl: University of Bristol
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