The Catholics of Ulster

This book should be required reading for everyone who purports to have an opinion on the causes and the solution to the Ulster conflict. The book is very much a revisionist history: Prof. Elliott's main thesis is that Ulster Catholics were not persecuted as severely as their mythology would indicate. She also shows how the actions of the Catholic Church over the past 150 years have had a negative influence on how Catholics perceive themselves. The two great strengths of the book are that it tells a coherent, though complex, story and that this story is substantiated by copious endnotes citing the sources. However, the book is not entirely objective. Furthermore, the subtle biases will be difficult to spot by anyone not already familiar with Ulster. Having been born there, I'm fairly well acquainted with Ulster history and politics. Three examples: 1) Some historical incidents of persecution are not mentioned at all, or are simply de-emphasized e.g. the savagery of the Cromwellian forces after the siege of Drogheda (1649). Thus supporting the thesis that Catholic grievances are exaggerated. 2) On p. 225 Prof. Elliott says that `...Catholics felt that they could expect little from the law. At least that is what the United Irish propaganda machine now told them...' suggesting that Catholics were being misled by those elements who favored revolt against England. But on p. 224 she states that juries consistently favored Protestant vigilantes over Catholics, so evidently this part of the Ulster Catholic myth was not without foundation. 3) One of the most notorious incidents of brutality perpetrated by Catholics during the Troubles, the barbaric murder of two British soldiers by a Catholic mob, is illustrated by a large photograph. Thus, (over) emphasizing the author's contention that Ulster Catholics are not simply victims. On the other hand, the depredations of the infamous Shankill Butchers, who were Protestant and viciously murdered 19 people, are not mentioned at all. Despite its shortcomings, this book is an invaluable addition to the literature on Ulster and I highly recommend it.

Marianne Elliot compiles an unique and thorough history of Catholocism in Ireland's most troubled province of Ulster. The information contained in this book is invaluable for anyone attempting to trace the roots of the current troubles in Northern Ireland, or with any serious interest in the history of this troubled island. This book is not for the casual reader, as Elliot's dry academic style could grow wearisome for those looking for a light, enjoyable read.

As a family historian, I have spent a lot of time reading history in an attempt to understand what my ancestors experienced in Ulster. Some of them were Irish Catholics, some probably Scots Catholics who immigrated with the McDonalds, and they eventually became Ulster Presbyterians. But within the Presbyterian communities of the late 1700's, early 1800's were a lot of Irish surnames. How did this happen?This book unmasks the truth behind both "Protestant" and Nationalist propagandized histories. Many of Elliott's conclusions are born out by my own family research.If you want to read propaganda, then you can find plenty of it out there, but if you want to look beyond received history and into a past that is very different from what is commonly held, then this is the book for you.It is probably not the first book to buy if you are new to the history of Ulster and /or Northern Ireland because it assumes you know the basics or received version of history and it is a response to it.