This work investigates the evolution of Irish domestic architecture by tracing the structural and stylistic transformations of residences from medieval fortifications to early twentieth-century villas. Brian de Breffny, an established authority on Irish art and architecture, utilizes a chronological framework to analyze how social, political, and economic shifts influenced the design and function of Irish homes. The text argues that these buildings serve as physical records of the changing status and cultural priorities of their inhabitants across several centuries.

Experts recognize this volume as a comprehensive survey of Irish domestic building history that remains accessible to the general reader. Scholars frequently cite the work for its clear categorization of architectural periods and its focus on the intersection of social history and design.