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A conversation changer, a paradigm changer, a critical impetus to new lines of debate. Wolf draws intelligently and exhaustively on archival records to detail the persistence of the Irish language during an era when, according to our long-standing assumptions, the language was supposedly dying, yet--as Wolf amply substantiates--was in fact everywhere in use. --citation, Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language & Culture, American Conference for Irish Studies A conversation changer, a paradigm changer, a critical impetus to new lines of debate. Wolf draws intelligently and exhaustively on archival records to detail the persistence of the Irish language during an era when, according to our long-standing assumptions, the language was supposedly dying, yet as Wolf amply substantiates was in fact everywhere in use. citation, Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language & Culture, American Conference for Irish Studies This important work should serve as a wake-up call to those who still insist on a simplistic and a historical view of the Irish language in Ireland, both past and present. An Irish-speaking Island is no less than a call to give Irish back to the Irish. The Irish Times Wolf shatters the dominant historical narrative, demonstrating that, in the century before 1870, Ireland was not an anglicized kingdom but was capable of articulating modernity in the Irish language. He offers a dynamic account of the complexity of the island, its institutional development, and the parallel evolution of language usage across all sections of society. Essential reading. Daire Keogh, St. Patrick's College, Dublin This is a major and original contribution, not least for its thorough use of Irish-language archival sources. Padraig O Machain, University College Cork Wolf brings to his analysis an impressive familiarity with both official and Irish-language sources, and a sophisticated engagement with the literature on contemporary and historical language change. His arguments are both ingenious and convincing. English Historical Review Not only valuable in documenting the strength of Irish as a home and community language into the nineteenth century, but also in showing how willing the [state agencies, schools, and churches] were to facilitate the use of Irish. It will surprise many readers. Journal of Historical Sociolinguistics By far the most complete and best-documented survey of Irish-speaking communities in the nineteenth century. Australasian Journal of Irish Studies

Wolf shatters the dominant historical narrative, demonstrating that, in the century before 1870, Ireland was not an anglicized kingdom but was capable of articulating modernity in the Irish language. He offers a dynamic account of the complexity of the island, its institutional development, and the parallel evolution of language usage across all sections of society. Essential reading. --Daire Keogh, St. Patrick's College, Dublin

A conversation changer, a paradigm changer, a critical impetus to new lines of debate. Wolf draws intelligently and exhaustively on archival records to detail the persistence of the Irish language during an era when, according to our long-standing assumptions, the language was supposedly dying, yet--as Wolf amply substantiates--was in fact everywhere in use. --citation, Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language & Culture, American Conference for Irish Studies

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Nicholas M. Wolf is an assistant professor and faculty fellow at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University.

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