Crisis and survival in Late Medieval Ireland: the English of Louth and their neighbours, 1330-1450 Brendan Smith Although very different in approach, content and format, these books constitute two of the most important recent publications on medieval Irish history. Both represent the coming to fruition of the work of a mature scholar who has engaged with their subject for decades, indeed since childhood – both credit a parent for introducing them to what has become their life’s work.Bhreathnach, chief executive officer of the Discovery Programme/Centre for Irish Archaeology, draws on recent advances in archaeology, anthropology, art history, comparative religion, liturgical history, monastic studies and theology to produce a comprehensive survey of all aspects of early Irish