This scholarly and enjoyable collection of essays is a fitting tribute to Francis John Byrne, who held the chair of Early Irish History at University College, Dublin with distinction for over three decades until his recent retirement. Professor Byrne's study of early medieval Irish politics and society, Irish Kings and High-Kings, first published in 1973, remains fundamental to our understanding of the subject, while his more specialised articles have helped illuminate many of the darkest and most inaccessible corners of Ireland's distant past. Those who have worked with him will also attest to the courtesy and generosity with which he shares his profound learning.
In recognition of the breadth of Professor Byrne's interests and expertise, Alfred Smyth has brought together not only historians but also archaeologists, linguists and literary experts to explore aspects of the medieval Irish experience. Many of the subjects covered draw inspiration from Professor Byrne's own pioneering work - in geographical terms Leinster, and in particular Meath, receive special attention - and several of the papers are by his former students.
Professor Byrne edited and dated many unpublished texts in the course of his career, and several of the best papers in this collection imitate his example. In an outstanding piece Mairin Ni Dhonnchadha brings to print for the first time a 12th-century poem on an Ui Neill princess, while elsewhere Donnchadh O Corrain and Katharine Simms provide convincing evidence to resolve vexed questions about the dating of other important poetic works.
The volume speaks loudly for the general health of early Irish studies, and the editor is to be applauded for inviting contributions from many younger scholars. His inclusive approach - the book contains no fewer than 40 articles - has many advantages, but it does mean that some papers, such as those by Doherty and O Riain-Raedel on aspects of 12th-century church reform, are rather too short. This is not to suggest, however, that quality has been sacrificed for quantity: there are real gems in here. To mention but a few; Anne Connon's examination of royal marriage patterns; Thomas Charles-Edwards' article on eighth-century English views of Irish and English kingship and identity; Jean-Michel Picard's paper on the changing status of the Irish bishop; and Patrick Wallace's discussion of ninth-century Dublin.
The publishers, Four Courts Press, have shown a laudable commitment to Irish historical scholarship in recent years, and they are to be applauded for keeping the price of this large and well-produced volume at a reasonable level. Congratulations can be extended to them, to the editor, and to the man in whose honour this fine book has been published.
Brendan Smith is Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Bristol. His most recent book, Britain and Ireland, 900-1300, was published last year