The Irish Times Top 10 Bestseller! From war to revolution, famine to emigration, The Darkness Echoing journeys across Ireland to bring its haunting past vividly to life. It’s no secret that the Irish have a fascination with misery, suffering, and death—and with good reason. There’s darkness everywhere you look: in cemeteries and castles, monuments and museums, stories and songs. In this fascinating and darkly funny travelogue, historian Gillian O’Brien explores Ireland’s most macabre heritage sites, uncovering the stories behind them and revealing what they tell us about the Irish identity. Energetic, illuminating, and surprisingly humorous, The Darkness Echoing challenges long-held assumptions about Ireland’s history while asking powerful questions about its past, present, and future. Praise for The Darkness Echoing “My history book of the year.” — Ryan Tubridy “As thought-provoking as it is informative and entertaining.” — The Irish Times “Hugely enjoyable, thought-provoking, and informative... An essential read.” — History Ireland