The Irish, and their descendants, have been part of Australian history since the arrival of the First Fleet and its convicts in 1788, and this collection brings together their rare and precious objects, documents, paintings, drawings, and photographs. The book demonstrates how many of Australia's greatest stories are Irish stories--including those of the Irish-led Eureka stockade, the antiauthoritarian Kelly gang, and the nation-dividing debate over conscription in 1916. From politics and religion to industry and art, this account highlights the ways in which the Irish have had a far-reaching influence on Australia.