JG Kohl's account of Ireland in 1844 gives us a glimpse of the years
after Catholic Emancipation and before the Irish Famine. His journey
took him through the four provinces. Part Two takes him to Tarbet,
Tralee, Killarney, Bantry, Cork, Kilkenny and Waterford. As a German
traveller he makes insightful comparisons, not only with the British
mainland, but with other parts of Europe. He visits isolated
settlements, hedge schools, Killarney and meets the gentry, traders,
fisherman and small farmers along the way. He comments on their
struggles, lifestyles, habits, transport and customs. He examines the
development of food processing in Cork and the export trade of
Waterford. He revels in the beauty of the rivers that flow into the
southern harbours of Ireland and discusses at length three great Irish
passions of the time - horse racing, temperance and repeal. A wonderful
resource for local historians and those of Irish descent who want to
know how their ancestors lived. Footnotes and an index have been added.