I would second the recommendation for Foster, if you want to take a
single-text approach. Robert Kee's Green Flag trilogy works fairly
well for the nineteenth century but doesn't really supply the need
for a general background text. In the past I've had good luck with
Thomas Hachey, et al. _The Irish Experience_. Like McCaffrey, it's
short and basic enough that I can add other readings.
Julie S. Gibert
History Department
Canisius College
2001 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14208
Phone: 716-888-2632
Internet: gibert@wehle.canisius.edu