Joseph Lee defines 'modernisation' in his preface as the 'growth of equality and opportunity' and his overall approach reflects the influence of modern sociological and economic insights into the study of history. The book illustrates that between 1848 and 1918, Southern Ireland became one of the most politically modernised societies in Europe. It is an extremely provocative amd challenging piece of work which upsets some long standing established notions. 'The Modernisation of Irish Society' originally appeared as volume ten of the Gill History of Ireland.