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 including the particulars of Irish class relationships, the passion for country sports, the landowner's role in the potato famine, and the "troubles" today.