An Archaeology of Ireland in the Age of Improvement offers the first dedicated archaeological examination of Improvement in Ireland. It explores the rhetoric and practice of ‘improving’ the country through its landscape, built heritage, artefacts and changing routines; and asks whether Irish Improvement can be considered distinctive.The volume brings together archaeologists with substantial experience in Irish post-medieval studies to evaluate the place of Improvement within archaeological discourses of historical capitalism and colonialism. It views the Improvement ethic as a manifestation of European enlightenment thinking that had far-reaching material and societal implications and explores, in Ireland’s turbulent and contested circumstances, how it was adopted as a justification for attempts to effect far-reaching social, cultural and moral transformations. The themes under examination include Gaelic responses to Improvement, changes to urban and rural settings, developing industries and the social worlds of artefacts and funerary practices. Across seven chapters the book provides a synthesis of emerging work on this crucial aspect of post-medieval Ireland. The book will interest historical archaeologists, researchers and students. It will also appeal to historical geographers and the broader historical studies community.
