This book deals primarily with the history of the original Irish septs and the later settlers to King's County, Ireland, and their life in the district known as "The Pale." The author begins with a brief look at the earliest "peoples of Erin." The bulk of the book features the clans of O'Connor and O'Carroll, "the more prominent and pugnacious of the clans." This is a history filled with people's names and battles, forced rule and mismanagement of a country. Forty-eight King's County families are presented in the appendix. Families were residents in the eighteenth century and members served in Parliament or as High Sheriffs or Grand Jurors. Information generally includes the name of the subject and the position he held, residence, spouse, children and significant dates. The original general index completes this work.