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In Fact

In Fact

An Optimist’s Guide to Ireland at 100

by Mark Henry

Imprint: Gill Books

6.7 x 9.4 in

Hardcover
9780717190386
November 2021
Temporarily out of stock. Ships in 8-12 weeks.

$27.95

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If you follow the headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking that things in Ireland are worse than ever. In fact, we live longer than ever before, we have never been healthier or better educated, we earn five times more than our grandparents did, our personal freedoms exceed those of any previous generation, and the lives of women and children have been transformed for the better.

At a time when some good news is welcome, this uplifting book tells our national story through facts and stats, placing Ireland under the microscope to chart 100 undeniable achievements of the past 100 years.

When the State was formed, Ireland was one of the most poverty-stricken nations in Europe. Now it has the second-highest quality of life in the world. While there is still more to be done, In Fact illustrates that Ireland, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than you might think.

Mark Henry trained as a psychologist and led the research and strategy functions of Irish technology companies before turning to work in tourism. Having spent two decades telling people all over the world what a great country Ireland is, he is passionate about sharing the incredible progress we have made.

Uplifting. Perfect for flicking through by the fire. ~Books of the Year List, The Irish Times

Ireland has so much yet to do, but we have achieved much. We have changed for the better - this wonderful book shows how. ~Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance, Ireland

A tremendous corrective to excessive negativity. It’s a real eye-opener. ~Matt Cooper, Today FM

A timely effort to detail the reality of the way we live now. A beautifully produced book. ~Stephen Collins, The Irish Times

A superb production and a really interesting counter to the doomscrolling approach to recent history. A valuable addition to the canon on Ireland. ~Prof. John O’Brennan, Maynooth University

If you want to cheer yourself up, read this book. It will counter all the doom and gloom out there using real data that confirms what a great country Ireland is. ~Prof. Luke O’Neill, Trinity College Dublin