Colonial Ulster

This landmark volume by Raymond Gillespie reconstructs the society of east Ulster - the counties of Antrim and Down - in the early seventeenth century. These counties formed a distinct region within Ulster and were excluded from the official scheme for the Ulster plantation. In remarkable detail - all the more impressive due to the loss of so many records of this era - the author explores demographic and economic developments, the emergence of rural and urban communities, and the tension between central government and local interests. In doing so, he reveals a fascinating picture of the strivings of both settlers and natives to establish a modus vivendi during a period of rapid change.

First published in 1985, this book reconstructs the society of east Ulster - the counties of Antrim and Down - in the early seventeenth century. These counties formed a distinct region within Ulster since they were excluded from the formal plantation scheme but nevertheless were heavily colonised from Scotland, England and Wales. In remarkable detail - all the more impressive due to the loss of so many records from this period - the author explores the demographic and economic developments, the emergence of rural and urban communities and the tension between central government and local interests. In doing so he reveals a fascinating picture of the strivings of settlers, both Protestant and Catholic, and natives to find a way of existing in a fast-changing world that saw the beginnings of modern Ulster.

This research is possible due to the rich archives of significant families, such as the earls of Antrim and lesser known ones such as Adair of Ballymena, which form the basis of this book. Few other regions of Ireland are as well documented as east Ulster in the early modern era.

This edition of Colonial Ulster by the Ulster Historical Foundation includes a new introduction in which the author reflected on the making of the work, which was derived from his own PhD thesis, and sets it in its own historiographical context.

As such this edition provides not only valuable information about the seventeenth century settlement but also offers insights into how historians go about their task and how that has changed over the past fifty years.