The Cambridge History of Irish Literature. Ed. Margaret Kelleher and Philip O’Leary. 2 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2006. PB1306.C36 820.9′9417. Online through Cambridge Histories Online (http://histories.cambridge.org).

A history of Irish literature, principally in English and Irish, from the sixth century to 2000. The essays, which define Irish and literature expansively, consider cultural, social, and historical contexts and give particular attention to the role of literature in shaping Irish identity. Each chapter concludes with a select bibliography. Indexed in each volume by authors, titles, and subjects (the online version omits the indexes). Attending to canonical and marginalized writers, Cambridge History of Irish Literature is the fullest single account of the entire Irish literary tradition. Review Lucy McDiarmid, TLS: Times Literary Supplement 6 Oct. 2006: 3–4.