The Islands of Ireland

New edition of the 1930s travel classic by Dubliner and photographer Thomas Mason. This new edition includes all the photographs from the Batsford edition and additional material in the form of biographical notes about the author and his illustrious career and many interests. The subtitle says it all, as in bite-size chapters, the author flits from archaeology to natural history to admiring the scenery but always returns to the people, their struggle with life on the islands, and their sometimes difficult relationship with the government. For all his wistfulness about recording a way of life on the edge of change, Mason's accounts are always affectionate and full of warmth. The cover photo is his photograph of the peak of the Skellig Michael, made more famous since Luke Skywalker visited!