A new, revised edition of a collection of photographs which reveal the haunting ruins of Ireland. The once great houses and castles, designed by the most accomplished architects of their day for the Anglo-Irish aristocracy, bear witness to a troubled history of civil war, famine, land acts and private bankruptcy. Duncan McLaren's text weaves history and hearsay into one, and the romantic beauty and mystery of the surrounding landscape are captured in 70 duotones by Simon Marsden.