For nearly 400 years, the big country house has dominated the Irish landscape and imagination. Two best-selling authors follow the splendor and the decline of these estates, with sumptuous artwork and photographs; information on the colorful figures involved in constructing these homes; and illuminating writings from such notables as Jonathan Swift. Every idiosyncratic detail from the inhabitants' lives comes across: including the particulars of Irish class relationships, the passion for country sports, the landowner's role in the potato famine, and the "troubles" today.