Wearing of the Green

Mike Cronin graduated with a Ph.D. in history from Oxford University in 1994. He is currently Accademic Director for Centre of Irish Programmes at Boston College, Dublin. Cronin has a particular interest in the study of twentieth-century Irish history, as well as the politics of sport in Irish history. He is author of The Blueshirts and Irish Politics (1997), Sport and Nationalism in Ireland (1999) and A History of Ireland (2001).Daryl Adair graduated with a Ph.D. in history from the Flinders University of South Australia in 1995. He is currently Lecturer in Sports Humanities in the Centre for Sports Studies, University of Canberra, Australia. Adair has a background in Australian history, with a keen interest in public spectacles. He is author of Sport in Australian History (1997, with Wray Vamplew), and editor of Sport Tourism (2002, with Brent Ritchie).

• 1. Introduction  2. Evolution of St Patrick's Day  3. Famine and Exodus  4. Visualising Ireland: Nationalism and Diaspora  5. Contesting Ireland: Republicanism and Militarism  6. Proclaiming Ireland: Independence and Empire  7. Modern Times, Troubled Times  8. Reinventing St Patrick's Day  9. Conclusion

'An inventive, delightful, and percipient book which uses the national feast day as a means to examine the texture and drama of the history of the Irish wherever they might find themselves.' – Thomas Keneally'The most complete history we are ever likely to have of [St Patrick's Day] ... A work of popular history that is readable, entertaining, challenging, provocative, well-written and thoroughly researched.' – Joseph O'Connor'A fascinating exploration of what has become one of the world's most public and internationally celebrated festivals.' – Visitor