The study of Ireland in the explosive decade of the 1790s is a growing area in the study of Irish history. Historians generally focus on the radical and revolutionary United Irish movement, popular politics, and the lower-class secret society, the Defenders.

This 2000 volume of essays explores United Irish propaganda and organisation, and looks at the forces of revolution before and during the 1798 rebellion. It also begins to redress imbalances in the historiography of the period by turning to the face of counter-revolution - examining the crisis in law and order, the role of the magistrates, the strength and weaknesses of the state, and the scope and character of the repression following the rebellion.

Other essays consider the short-term and longer-term consequences of these momentous events, including their impact upon the churches, the Act of Union, and the politics of early nineteenth-century America.