The Rise and Fall of Christian Ireland

"Gribben the historian dons the mantle of a prophet, a good reminder that historical reflection can and should lead to wise action. * Michael A.G. Haykin, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, Brill * This is a book I will be reading again and no doubt referencing often. * Aaron Dunlop, The Krapf Project, Maghaberry, Northern Ireland, Evangelical Quarterly * Crawford Gribben has produced a fascinating history of Christian Ireland from its promising beginnings, in the age following the fall of the Roman Empire, to its dramatic decline in recent decades...the book pays considerable attention to the history of Ireland's more obscure Protestant communities. On the other hand, the book also gives ample attention to Ireland's pre Reformation era. * Piers Shepherd, Chronicles * Outstanding... Rarely have I found a book so compelling. * Jim Sayers, Evangelicals Now * a fascinating history, clearly communicated. It will no doubt fuel discussion and presage further illuminating analysis. * Brendan McNamara, Numen * the author's mastery of his subject... But the general reader should not to be intimidated, for the book is written in a very accessible style. * Raymond Blair, Evangelical Times * A remarkable book. * JP O'Malley, Irish Independent * An erudite, important and detailed account of the major developments in Irish religious history from the earliest times until the present day... This is an eminently readable book, and the author has a page-turning clarity which too few academics possess. * Alf McCreary, Belfast Telegraph * Admirable and scholarly. * Mary Kenny, History Ireland * A book of remarkable ambition... The attempt to tell the whole story from Celtic times through to the astonishingly rapid secularisation of today is what makes this book so special and important. * David Chillingworth, Church Times * A broad, sweeping, readable and concise history of the interplay of religion, politics and society in Ireland from pre-Christian times until the present. * David Quinn, Catholic Herald * A readable and impressive work of scholarship...The book is thought-provoking and rich in personalities and comment, which encourages the reader to return to the text. * Thomas Morrissey SJ, Irish Catholic * I'd recommend [the book] strongly to anyone who wants to understand recent upheavals on our island. * Ruth Dudley Edwards, News Letter * This fine volume, by a distinguished historian, meets a long-standing need for an overview of Christianity in Ireland... the book is written in a very accessible style. * Raymond Blair, Evangelical Times * Crawford Gribben's sweeping history surveys Ireland's grand past - and its importance for Western Christianity. * Jeremiah Rood, Foreword Reviews * A remarkable read... Gribben covers a vast amount of ground in a relatively concise text. His achievement is to provide much needed perspective on where Irish Christianity came from and where it may be headed. * Gladys Ganiel, Slugger O'Toole * [Gribben's] wide reading is very evident and anyone seeking a one volume survey of ""Christian Ireland"" will find this an admirable guide. * Dr Fergus O'Ferrall, Methodist Recorder * This thorough, explanatory and altogether credible book is a point-blank look and assessment of what its title purports to address...Vivid and readable, David Marx: Book Reviews Crawford Gribben has produced an outstanding contribution to understanding the complex tapestry that is Ireland, and all its people, from earliest history to the present day... it's a book that anybody interested in the evolution of the island of Ireland and all its people national and international, should read and have on their bookshelf. * Enda Kenny, Taoiseach, Ireland, 2011/2017 * valuable and moving history... For anyone who wants to consider the role of Christianity in the West, the test case of Ireland is as fascinating as it is instructive. * Professor D. G. Hart, New Horizons in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church * If ever there was a lesson of church history, it may be that whenever an earthly state claims to be Christendom, the church will become repressive and corrupt. Ireland has long been heralded as the ""land of saints and scholars,"" and indeed its role in the spread of Christianity in northern Europe was significant. Gribben argues that any form of ""Christian Ireland"" has clearly ended in the twenty-first century. This book offers a solid survey for a general reading public, and although it cannot cover all topics, it has clearly used the latest research when assessing many significant turning points and debatable areas. * John B. Roney, Sacred Heart University *"