Irish Empire - Region 0 DVD

The five segments focus on a variety of topics, including the initial scattering of Irish people throughout Europe; the forging of an Irish identity throughout the world; the role of women in the expansion of Irish culture and the improvement of Ireland's native economy; the history of Irish Catholic and Protestant populations at home and abroad; and the often startling contrast between the Ireland of myth and memory and modern Ireland as it continues to keep pace with an ever-changing world. Overall, this is an epic account, filled with great pride and great sadness, with horrible crises and magnificent achievements. It's perhaps a bit too dry to achieve any kind of mainstream appeal, but this series should be considered essential viewing for anyone seeking to appreciate the fullness of Irish history and the place of Irish culture in the gene pool of humanity. --Jeff Shannon