This book is a vivid and poignant account of the social and economic conditions in Ireland in the late 19th century, written by a seasoned land agent who spent most of his career working for aristocratic landlords. The author describes the struggles and aspirations of the Irish people, the impact of British colonialism and capitalism on their lives, and the tensions and conflicts that arose between different classes, religions, and cultures. The book is illustrated with dozens of photographs and sketches by the author's son, J Townsend Trench, which bring the landscapes, people, and events of Ireland to life. It is a powerful and moving testimony to the complexity and diversity of Irish life and history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.