Encyclopedia of Irish Spirituality

by Phyllis G. Jestice

Overview

This fascinating reference work illuminates Ireland's remarkable religious traditions, from prehistoric times through the ages.

Ireland's history is filled with religious riches unknown to the rest of the world. The Encyclopedia of Irish Spirituality celebrates the amazing links among Ireland's religious traditions over the ages. Despite the present-day tensions between Catholic and Protestant, the main characteristic of Irish religion has always been accommodation. Again and again, the Irish have adapted, revived, and reinterpreted their religious past, not rejected it, to create a spirituality that has a flavor all its own.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781576071465
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/18/2000
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Phyllis G. Jestice is a lecturer in medieval european history, specializing in the history of religion.

Editorial Reviews

Recommended for larger public and academic libraries or libraries with strong patron interest in Irish or New Age spirituality.” —Library Jourbanal

“Interesting and useful. . . . Recommended for academic and public libraries.” —American Reference Books Annual

“Suitable for large public and academic libraries that are in need of a fresh title for their religion sections.” —Booklist

“Recommended for general and undergraduate collections.” —Choice

From the Publisher

Jestice (history, Univ. of Southern Mississippi) here aspires to cover over 5000 years of Celtic and Irish spirituality and religion in a single volume. Focusing on the "continuity of religions" that have been practiced in Ireland through the centuries, she covers myths, legends, and folk beliefs as well as Christianity and contemporary New Age practices. In the process, she highlights familiar issues, places, and figures in Irish religious history. The majority of the 600 clearly written entries are one to two pages long and include references to related articles and a brief bibliography. An extensive cumulative bibliography is included at the end, and over 100 black-and-white photos accompany the text. The intertwining of Celtic practices and Christianity makes this work especially valuable, but Jestice is trying to do too much: covering several millennia and such broad topics means that some of the entries are too brief, and occasionally it is difficult to decipher whether an entry is covering Celtic or Christian practice or a combination thereof. Nevertheless, this is recommended for larger public and academic libraries or libraries with strong patron interest in Irish or New Age spirituality.-Michele McGraw, Hennepin Cty. P.L., Edina, MN. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Accommodation is Jestice's (Medieval history, U. of Southern Mississippi) theme: how the Irish have adapted, revived, and reinterpreted their religious past to create a uniquely Irish spirituality. Having to select topics because of space limitations, she considers the most mainstream and familiar issues, places, and figures as being most likely to have had a special significance in the formation of Irish spirituality. She includes entry-specific bibliographies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

From prehistoric developments to the myths of the druids and sailts of Middle Ages, The ABC-CLIO Encyclopedia Of Irish Spirituality provides a fine illustrated guide to the history and expanse of Ireland's religions over the ages. The A-Z entries make it easy for nonspecialist readers to locate facts.