Written as an engrossing detective story by the leading authority on the subject, this book deals with the core issues and multiple influences in the creation of the Irish people as well as exploring the controversial question of the Celts and the Irish language.

Bringing together the evidence of archaeology, culture, tradition, genetics and linguistics to shed welcome new light on the age-old riddle of Irish origins, and illustrated with numerous informative line drawings and maps, this brilliantly argued book is essential reading for anyone interested in Ireland and the Irish.