Clare Downham is a Senior Lecturer in Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool. She did an M.A. in Medieval History at the University of St Andrews and then completed an M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Anglo-Saxon Norse and Celtic at the University of Cambridge. In 2004, she was awarded a John O'Donovan scholarship medal in Celtic Studies from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and her first book Viking Kings of Britain and Ireland: The Dynasty of Ivarr to AD 1014 was published in 2007. She has published over fifty articles on British, Irish and Viking history.

• Introduction; Part I. Early Medieval Ireland AD 400–1100: 1. Ireland in the fifth century; 2. Land use and economy AD 500–1100; 3. Society AD 500–1100; 4. Politics AD 500–1100; 5. Religion AD 500–1100; 6. The arts AD 500–1100; Epilogue to Part I; Part II. Late Medieval Ireland AD 1100–1500: 7. Landscape and economy AD 1100–1500; 8. Society AD 1100–1500; 9. Politics AD 1100–1500; 10. Religion AD 1100–1500; 11. The arts AD 1100–1500; Conclusion.

'Clare Downham's Medieval Ireland offers a fresh and stimulating perspective on culture, politics, religion, and the arts during a crucial period in Irish history. Combining her own researches with the latest studies, Downham's lively and engaging narrative makes this book accessible to the general reader as much as the rigour of her scholarship presents new vistas to the specialist.' Benjamin Hudson, Pennsylvania State University