On some of the islands off the West Coast of
Ireland reside some of the most primitive communities in Western Europe. In the course of some years Mr. Mason has visited most of them, and in this book (Batsford, los. 6d.) he gives an account of the people who live on them, the scenery, the conditions and economy of life, the antiquities, and such traditional culture as exists. Mr. Mason is affronted by the speed of life in modern urban communities, and is inclined to moralise rather senten- tiously on the contrasted peacefulness which he finds in the islands. But when he is not pursuing this theme, he presents his material in a straightforward and workmanlike way, and anyone anxious to learn something about the islands and the people will find no better nor snore comprehensive guide- book than this. Even those who do not wish to read will be fascinated by the illustrations. Mr. Mason is probably the best photographer in Ireland, and his illustrations, numerous and admir- ably varied in range, succeed in capturing the atmosphere of the Western Coast of Ireland better than anyone has been able to do in paint.
Previous page
