"The lords and other landowners of Ireland, known, together with their relations, as the Ascendancy long after they had ceased to be in the ascendant, entered a twilight period just over a century ago when they lost most of their political power at the same time as their economic foundations were eroded by agricultural depression and agrarian disturbances. This is their story during the hundred years of their decline." [1870s to 1960s] --Preface.