This is quite good for what it is, an extended thesis is what it feels like to me. Pretty dry account of a group of missionaries in connemara and how the conversions ebbed and flowed with famine and access to education. The fact that the bishop of Tuam in the early 19th century decided not to support primary schools provides a backbone to how the Missionaries found a foothold in the area. The encouraged bigotry and boycotting of those who converted didn't provide people with much choice, other than to reconvert.

It's bigoted, hateful and full of people doing nasty things to each other. I found it a bit of a hard slog, but if you're interested in that period and the folks involved I'd say it would be an interesting read. ( )