Historians often view early modern Ireland as a testing ground for subsequent British colonial adventures further afield. McGrath argues against this passive view, suggesting that Ireland played an enthusiastic role in the establishment and expansion of the first British Empire. He focuses on two key areas of empire-building: finance and defence.
Reviews
'deserves to become the standard reference work on this topic ... an important, innovative and extremely detailed study of the central fiscal-military infrastructure in eighteenth-century Ireland.' English Historical Review 'a splendid book for graduate students. Highly Recommended.' CHOICE
