The Celts -- pt.1: Early Ireland (before c. A.D. 500) -- Ireland in prehistoric times -- Political developments in early times -- pt.2: Ireland in the first part of the Middle Ages (c. A.D. 500--1100) -- The beginnings of Christianity in Ireland -- The formation of the early Irish church -- Christian Ireland in the seventh and eight centuries -- Secularisation and reform in the eighth century -- The age of the Vikings -- pt.3: Ireland in the second part of the Middle Ages (c. 1100--1500) -- Ireland under foreign influence: the twelfth century -- Ireland from the reign of John to the statutes of Kilkenny -- The end of the Middle Ages -- The enduring tradition.