From saints and scholars to warriors and patriots to writers, artists, statesmen and simply "characters," this entertaining and highly informative collection of short profiles provides not only an account of some remarkable Irish individuals but an illuminating journey through the fertile territory of Irish history. The lives recounted here include the familiar James Joyce, St. Patrick and Eamon de Valera to those which are less familiar Grace O'Malley, the pirate queen; John O'Donovan, the Gaelic scholar; Buck Whaley, rake and gambler extraordinary; and Sir Horace Plunkett, pioneer of agricultural cooperation. The volume also includes maps and notes indicating places of interest connected with the lives as well as a helpful list of dates in Irish history and suggestions for further reading.