Childhood and the Irish brings together eighty compelling essays exploring the lived experience of children in Ireland across fifteen centuries. Featuring contributions from historians, folklorists, archaeologists, theologians, anthropologists, poets, novelists, artists, literary scholars, and educationalists, this collection offers diverse perspectives on childhood—from the scholarly to the deeply personal. Essays illuminate the experiences of children in Ireland and those of Irish descent abroad, revealing how childhood has been shaped by culture, history, and tradition. A rich and multifaceted exploration of a formative period in Irish life.