Read Ireland Book Reviews
Issue 334
Sinn Fein: 1905-2005 – In the Shadow of Gunmen by Kevin Rafter
Hardback; 25.00 Euro / 30.00 USD / 20.00 UK; 270 pages
Today one political party stands on the verge of governing in both parts of Ireland. That party is Sinn Fein - the long-time political wing of the Irish Republican Army, which waged war against British rule in Northern Ireland for over thirty years. Led by Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein is now the dominant nationalist party in Northern Ireland and recent successes in the Irish Republic mean it is now only a question of when Sinn Fein enters Government Buildings in Dublin. But what are the events, which have pushed this once anti-system organisation near to the corridors of power? In this new book, Kevin Rafter investigates the emergence of Sinn Fein as a political force on the island of Ireland. He examines the concessions and compromises - sponsored by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness - which have aided Sinn Fein's recent political advance. He delves into the history of a party founded a century ago and charts how the political brand that is the name Sinn Fein has been used and abused over the last hundred years. He explores Sinn Fein's policy positions, its funding sources and its electoral prospects. The author highlights the pragmatism that drives modern Sinn Fein and which has become its defining characteristic, replacing the rigid idealism so firmly associated with the party for most of its history. He accesses the scale of the u-turns - sponsored by the Adams leadership and accepted by party membership - that are pushing Sinn Fein into the political mainstream and positioning it to challenge the political establishment on the island of Ireland.
Policing in Northern Ireland: Conflict, Legitimacy and Reform by Aogan Mulcahy
Paperback; 28.00 Euro / 35.00 USD / 18.00 UK; 228 pages [Add To Basket]
This book provides an account and analysis of policing in Northern Ireland, providing an account and analysis of the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) from the start of 'the troubles' in the 1960s to the early 1990s, through the uneasy peace that followed the 1994 paramilitary ceasefires (1994 - 1998), and then its transformation into the Police Service of Northern Ireland following the 1999 Patten Report. A major concern is with the reform process, and the way that the RUC has faced and sought to remedy a situation where it faced a chronic legitimacy deficit. Policing Northern Ireland focuses on three key aspects of the police legitimation process: reform measures which are implemented to redress a legitimacy crisis; representational strategies which are invoked to offer positive images of policing; and public responses to these various strategies. Several key questions are asked about the ways in which the RUC has sought to improve its standing amongst nationalists: first, what strategies of reform has the RUC implemented? second, what forms of representation has the RUC employed to promote and portray itself in the positive terms that might secure public support? third, how have the theoretical framework and analysis developed in the book also highlights general issues relating to the implications of police legitimacy and illegitimacy for social conflict and divisions, and their management and/or resolution, in relation to transitional societies in particular. In doing so it makes a powerful contribution to wider current debates about police legitimacy, police-community relations, community resistance, and conflict resolution.
The Pope’s Children: Ireland’s New Elite by David McWilliams
Hardback; 23.00 Euro / 28.00 USD / 18.00 UK; 280 pages
An intriguing and provocative look at the Irish generation born in the early 1980s in the wake of the Pope's visit. Now about twenty-five years old, they are about to inherit the new Ireland. Who are they? What makes them tick? Where are they taking us?
An Illustrated History of the Gaelic Athletic Association by Eoghan Corry
Large Hardback; 30.00 Euro / 37.00 USD / 24.00 UK; 250 pages, with full colour illustrations throughout [Add To Basket]
The GAA is the largest amateur sports body in the world and the most successful voluntary association in the history of modern Ireland. Its games are played in every parish, village and townland of Ireland; its influence on Irish public life is immeasurable. Drawing on the resources of the GAA Museum in Croke Park plus many private and public sources, Eoghan Corry surveys the development of Gaelic games through their various eras. Among the themes covered are the consistent domination of the football championship by Kerry in every decade; the emergence of Ulster teams, first in the 60s and more decisively in the 1990s; the up and down fortunes of Dublin's footballers; the emergence of Kilkenny as a major power in hurling immediately before the first World War; the Kilkenny-Cork rivalry of the 1930s; the dominance of Tipperary immediately after the second World War and in the 1960s; and the brilliant revival of hurling, spearheaded by Clare, in the 1990s. In addition, Eoghan Corry pays due attention to camogie, handball and the social side of the GAA.
A History of Hurling 2nd edition by Seamus King
Paperback; 23.00 Euro / 28.00 USD / 18.00 UK; 430 pages, with three 8-page black-and-white photo inserts
As well as re-visiting and revising the existing text, Seamus King brings the History of Hurling up-to-date, including the 2005 Championship. The last ten years has seen the tumultuous rise of Clare as a major hurling power, followed by their recent decline, the first Wexford championship success in a generation, the rising power of Waterford in Munster and the continued, if fragile, vitality of Offaly hurling. The last few years have, of course, been dominated by the revival of the Big Three. Between them, Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary have won every All-Ireland since 2000, re-establishing the dominant historic pattern in the game
Power Sharing: New Challenges for Divided Societies edited by Ian O’Flynn and David Russell
Paperback; 30.00 Euro / 36.00 USD / 20.00 UK; 228 pages
It is widely assumed that internal power-sharing is a viable democratic means of managing inter-communal conflict in divided societies. In principle, this form of government enables communities that have conflicting identities to remedy longstanding patterns of discrimination and to co-exist peacefully. Key arguments in support of this view can be found in the highly influential works of Arend Lijphart and Donald Horowitz. "New Challenges for Power-Sharing" seeks to explore the unintended consequences of power-sharing for the communities themselves, their individual members, and for others in society. More specifically, it is distinctive in questioning explicitly whether power sharing: perpetuates inter-communal conflict by institutionalising difference at the political level; inhibits conflict resolution by encouraging extremism; stifles internal diversity; and fails to leave sufficient space for individual autonomy. This book not only provides a theoretical exploration and critique of these questions, but comprehensively examines specific test cases where power-sharing institutions have been established, including in Northern Ireland, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Lebanon. It also explores such issues as the role of political leaders, human rights instruments, the position of women, and the prospects for reconciliation within such societies. Furthermore, it provides a detailed set of policy recommendations to meet the challenges of transition in deeply-divided societies.
The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) in colour by Norman Johnston
Hardback; 30.00 Euro / 36.00 USD / 20.00 UK; 112 pages, with full colour illustrations throughout [Add To Basket]
The Great Northern Railway was one of the best loved of Irish railways and is still fondly remembered by its staff and passengers. No doubt, this was partly to do with the way the GNR held on to its independence, even after most of the other railways in Ireland had been taken over by either CIE or the UTA. For British enthusiasts it preserved something of the character and charm of the 'pre-grouping railway scene (i.e. before 1923). Its independence officially ended in 1953 when it was bought out by the two governments in Ireland and administered by the Great Northern Railway Board - the first 'Cross-Border Body'. Even then this made little real difference to day-to-day running and it continued as the GNR until 1958 when the Northern Ireland Government forced its division between the UTA and CIE. Even after 1958 the gradual appearance of the liveries of the new companies did little to erode the culture and ethos of the old GNR. Men in UTA uniform at Strabane still regarded their CIE counterparts at nearby St Johnston as their real colleagues, rather than the UTA men on the ex-NCC lines. It was really only with the creation of NIR in 1967 that the old loyalties began to disappear.
Railways in Ulster’s Lakelands by Anthony Burges
Paperback; 15.00 Euro / 17.50 USD / 9.00 UK; 64 pages with black-and-white photos throughout [Add To Basket]
The Great Northern and Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties railways were fascinating places for enthusiasts in the 1950s, with mainline expresses, branch line services and goods trains all commonplace. The railways running in the border counties hold a special place in many people's affections and this album takes a look at the stations, people and trains serving the communities in Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal. The journey begins at Belturbet station, now restored as a community facility with a small railway museum and calls at, amongst others, Cavan, Clones, Enniskillen, Bundoran Junction and Manorhamilton.
Chasing the Flying Snail by Anthony Burges
Paperback; 15.00 Euro / 17.50 USD / 9.00 UK; 64 pages with black-and-white photos throughout [Add To Basket]
In the 1950s, the railways operated by Coras Iompair Eireann (CIE) were more like a working museum rather than a state-owned railway. The vintage coaches and life-expired locomotives were part of the charm of the Irish system and attracted numerous railway enthusiasts. Tony Burges visited many parts of the network during trips in 1953 and 1957, and captured CIE operations at locations such as Rosslare, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Tralee, Dromod, Portarlington and Dublin. He not only photographed the rolling stock but also the stations, many of which have long since disappeared or been converted to other uses. This book, the first in the new series, contains 54 high-quality black and white photographs, all reproduced at 8 inches (200mm) wide.
Far From the Green Fields of Erin: Ulster Emigrants and Their Stories by David Hume
Large Paperback; 22.00 Euro / 27.00 USD / 15.00 UK; 128 pages, with black-and-white photos throughout [Add To Basket]
Whilst not intended to be an exhaustive account of the many who emigrated from the Province of Ulster, this work by David Hume reflects the many and varied experiences of the men, women and children who made long journeys to other parts of the world. Many of the emigrants came from an Ulster Scots/Scotch Irish background and, importantly whilst recognising the contribution that those individuals made to the development of the areas in which they settled, particularly North America, Australia and New Zealand, David Hume hasn't overlooked those from other backgrounds who also left these shores and contributed to developments in many areas.
Teach Yourself Irish Grammar by Eamonn O Donaill
Paperback; 14.00 Euro / 17.00 USD / 9.00 UK; 275 pages [Add To Basket]
Teach Yourself Irish Grammar" is the first up-to-date, accessible grammar written in English for students working independently or via formal courses at school, evening classes or further education. The book helps students become both functionally and formally fluent in the language. The examples used in the book reflect everyday usage and use up-to-the-minute vocabulary, and there are lively, varied exercises with an answer key.
A Dictionary of Hiberno-English compiled and edited by Terence Patrick Nolan
Trade Paperback; 13.00 Euro / 16.00 USD / 10.00 UK; 278 pages [Add To Basket]
Drawing on the resources of a recently-established Hiberno-English website hosted by UCD, this new edition of "A Dictionary of Hiberno-English" has been extensively revised and updated. Tom Paulin, "The Guardian" - "Terry Dolan's "A Dictionary of Hiberno-English"...is a pioneering work of scholarship, which ascertains the nature of English as it is spoken and written in Ireland. I see it as one of the foundation stones of a new civic culture in the island." Owen Kelly, "Irish News" - "...Professor Dolan's excellent dictionary, where you find such gems as "hallion" and "at the heel of the hunt" sitting comfortably with the Irish and English origins of much of our speech, is a significant contribution."
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