The First Irish Cities

“Dickson has written what is probably the most important work on Irish towns ever published. . . . The First Irish Cities is scholarly, authoritative, elegantly written, beautifully illustrated, and a delight to read.”—Leslie Clarkson, Familia

“A very valuable and intriguing resource that answered many questions and gave satisfying explanations.”—Flicka Small, Estudios Irlandeses

“Stylishly written and impeccably well researched.”—JP O’Malley, Irish Independent

“This is a book that operates on a number of levels. For some readers the pleasure will be in excavating nuggets of information on particular places—and thanks to Dickson’s mastery of the evidence there are many gems to be discovered. . . . Whichever category you fall into, you will find enlightenment and entertainment in this volume.”—Raymond Gillespie, Irish Times

“Highly original, well-researched and elegantly written. . . . Transforms our understanding of many important questions.”—Eugenio Biagini, author of British Democracy and Irish Nationalism 1876–1906

“This is the book we have been waiting for. Dickson provides the first comprehensive overview of the great age of Irish urban development, in all its complexity and variety.”—Sean Connolly, author of Divided Kingdom

“Exemplary. The study of Irish urban history has been until now patchy. Dickson’s work significantly reduces this scholarly deficit.”—Jim Smyth, emeritus professor, University of Notre Dame

“Drawing on his magisterial knowledge of all facets of eighteenth-century Ireland, Dickson unpicks the country’s anomalous urban histories—stemming from the extraordinary mid-century growth spurts that created cities comparable to their great European and British counterparts.”—Finola O’Kane, professor, University College Dublin