As far back as there is history in Ireland, there is love poetry. From pre-Christian paganism to contemporary feminism, the poetry reflects Ireland's traditions and attitudes. In this collection, the author has selected poems from every period of her tumultuous history. He explains the historical turning points which changed and developed the writing - from the arrival of St Patrick and the rise of bardic schools alongside monasteries, the neo-classicism of the 17th century, the emergence of nationalism during the 19th century and the feisty feminists of today who have reclaimed the independence of their mythic predecessors.