For two centuries, the linen industry provided the economic warp for the fabric of social life in Ulster. Until now, the central importance of the linen industry to Irish history and society has received little scholarly attention. In an unprecedented, multifaceted collection, The Warp of Ulster's Past gathers top scholars from the fields of history, sociology, and anthropology to put forth their perspectives on various themes and issues connected to this single industry. Exploring the relationships between the linen industry and capitalist development, economic class, social life, and religious and gender stratification, the essays combine to offer a truly comprehensive look at Irish history. A unique and engaging book of reference, The Warp of Ulster's Past moves beyond rigid disciplinary boundaries and reveals how deeply linen has shaped Ulster's heritage.