In this text, author Phelps Warren has pointed out that the golden age for Irish glassmaking was from about 1780 to 1830.

His starting point was to collect almost all the most important pieces of glass whose Irish origin could be documented, over forty of which bore the names of the factories. After identifying characteristic shapes and methods of cutting and engraving, he identified a wide variety of unmarked pieces with similar characteristics.
To facilitate consultation, the pieces are treated by type: urns, candlesticks, vases, bowls, decanters, glasses, etc.

In this new edition, the author has updated the text by systematically including the results of recent research and discoveries. The text contains new chapters on Irish patterned glass, on Waterford and Cork cutting characteristics and on Waterford chandeliers and light fittings; it also contains forty-nine new black and white illustrations.