Essays in Irish Labour History

Book excerpt: Essays in Irish Labour History is a tribute to the late Professor John W Boyle, University of Guelph, Canada and a leading practitioner of Irish labour history, and his late wife Elizabeth. Boyle's specialism was in nineteenth century labour history, with a particular emphasis on Dublin and Belfast, cities to which he had academic and personal attachments, and these interests are well reflected in this book. The history of labour in Ulster is especially well covered, as is that of Protestant workers throughout the island. The collection also includes substantial scholarly articles that reflect ongoing research and areas that have thus far been neglected, such as the place for casual labour in nineteenth century Ireland and the impact of religion on the Irish Labour Party, 1922-73. The range of topics is broad and includes an obituary essay on the Boyles and an interrogation of Irish historiography and the working class.