The book ""Lives of the Irish Martyrs and Confessors: With Additions Including a History of the Penal Laws"" by Myles O'Reilly is a comprehensive account of the lives and sacrifices of Irish martyrs and confessors who suffered persecution for their Catholic faith during the 16th and 17th centuries. The book is divided into two parts: the first part includes the biographies of 17 Irish martyrs who were executed for their faith during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, while the second part provides a detailed history of the Penal Laws that were imposed on the Irish Catholics during the 17th and 18th centuries.The book provides a vivid and detailed account of the persecution suffered by the Irish Catholics during this period, including the confiscation of their lands, the prohibition of their religious practices, and the execution of those who refused to renounce their faith. The biographies of the martyrs are presented in a chronological order, with each chapter providing a detailed account of the life, trial, and execution of the individual.In addition to the biographies, the book also includes a comprehensive history of the Penal Laws, which were a series of laws that were designed to suppress the Catholic faith and impose penalties on those who practiced it. The history provides a detailed account of the various laws that were enacted, their impact on the Irish Catholics, and the efforts made by the Catholic Church to resist them.Overall, ""Lives of the Irish Martyrs and Confessors: With Additions Including a History of the Penal Laws"" is an important historical document that provides valuable insights into the lives and sacrifices of the Irish martyrs and confessors, as well as the religious and political climate of Ireland during the 16th and 17th centuries.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.