Read Ireland Book Reviews
Issue 410 - 12/13 April 2008
Articulations: Poetry, Philosophy and the Shaping of Culture: Seamus Heaney, Royal Irish Academy Cunningham Medal, 28th January 2008
Long Slim Paperback with End Flaps; 45 Euro / 68 USD / 34 UK
Articulations: poetry, philosophy and the shaping of culture is a limited, numbered publication; produced in honour of 2008 Cunningham Medal winner, Dr Seamus Heaney, MRIA. The book includes Dr Heaney's Cunningham Medal discourse, and a poem by Paul Muldoon commissioned in honour of Dr Heaney. The Cunningham Medal, the Royal Irish Academy's highest award, was presented to Dr Heaney at a ceremony in the Academy on 28 January 2008. Only 500 copies of this rare item have been printed.
Spying on Ireland: British Intelligence and Irish Neutrality During the Second World War by Eunan O’Halpin
Hardback; 45 Euro / 70 USD / 30 UK; 324 pages [Add To Basket]
Irish neutrality during the Second World War presented Britain with significant challenges to its security. Exploring how British agencies identified and addressed these problems, this book reveals how Britain simultaneously planned sabotage in and spied on Ireland, and at times sought to damage the neutral state's reputation internationally through black propaganda operations. It analyses the extent of British knowledge of Axis and other diplomatic missions in Ireland, and shows the crucial role of diplomatic code-breaking in shaping British policy. The book also underlines just how much Ireland both interested and irritated Churchill throughout the war. Rather than viewing this as a uniquely Anglo-Irish experience, Eunan O'Halpin argues that British activities concerning Ireland should be placed in the wider context of intelligence and security problems that Britain faced in other neutral states, particularly Afghanistan and Persia. Taking a comparative approach, he illuminates how Britain dealt with challenges in these countries through a combination of diplomacy, covert gathering of intelligence, propaganda, and intimidation.The British perspective on issues in Ireland becomes far clearer when discussed in terms of similar problems Britain faced with neutral states worldwide.
Drawing heavily on British and American intelligence records, many disclosed here for the first time, Eunan O'Halpin presents the first country study of British intelligence to describe and analyse the impact of all the secret agencies during the war. He casts fresh light on British activities in Ireland, and on the significance of both espionage and cooperation between intelligence agencies for developing wider relations between the two countries.
A New History of Ireland by Christine Kinealy
Large Paperback; 15 Euro / 24 USD / 12 UK; 326 pages
Irish history has been dominated by a succession of settlers, traders, invaders, soldiers and colonisers. The arrival of Patrick in the fifth century - arguably the most important settler ever - is the starting point for this concise and accessible account of 1500 years of Irish history. The coming of Christianity integrated Ireland more firmly with Europe and marked the emergence of a golden age of Irish scholarship. The arrival of the Anglo-Normans in the twelfth century signalled the beginning of Ireland's long, complex and often tortuous relationship with England, which changed the political landscape of both countries. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the Republic of Ireland is again playing a leading role in Europe - economically, financially and culturally. This general survey examines the key developments and personalities of Irish history and challenges the dominant interpretation of events such as Cromwell's invasion, the Plantation of Ulster, the Great Famine and Nationalism. A New History of Ireland provides a concise, lucid and nuanced approach to Ireland's complex and fascinating history.
The Irish Voter: The Nature of Electoral Competition in the Republic of Ireland by Michael Marsh et. al.
Large Paperback; 24 Euro / 38 USD / 19 UK; 310 pages [Add To Basket]
This work contains reports on the first ever Irish election study and is the first comprehensive, academic survey of the motives, outlook and behaviour of the Irish voter. It explores a number of well-known puzzles about Irish electoral behaviour and uses the unique data set to provide answers to them and offers a crucial insight into the impact of the economy on electoral behaviour. The survey evidence is presented in a highly accessible way and findings are assessed in both an Irish and comparative context.
Ireland, India and Empire: Indo-Irish Radical Connections, 1919-64 by Kate O’Malley
Hardback; 80 Euro / 120 USD / 50 UK; 215 pages
Offering a fresh new perspective on the history of the end of Empire, with the Irish and Indian independence movements as its focus, this book details how each country s nationalist agitators engaged with each other and exchanged ideas. Using previously unpublished sources from the Indian Political Intelligence collection; it chronicles the rise and fall of movements such as the Indian-Irish Independence League and the League Against Imperialism whose histories have, until now, remained deeply hidden in the archives. The maturation of the Indo-Irish nexus documented in this book eventually culminated with the establishment of diplomatic ties between both independent states in the 1960s, yet the British government initially interpreted these transnational links as a potential threat to the Empire and monitored their development through its security services. O Malley highlights opaque aspects of the careers of popular figures from both Irish and Indian history including Subhas Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, Eamon de Valera and Maud Gonne McBride at points when their paths crossed and also looks at how many one-time agitators went on to become international statesmen. This book encompasses aspects of Irish, Indian, British, Imperial and intelligence history and will be of interest to students, teachers and general history enthusiasts alike.
From the Margins to the Centre: A History of the Irish Times by Dermot James
Hardback; 45 Euro / 70 USD / 30 UK; 300 pages, with black-and-white photos throughout [Add To Basket]
From its creation in 1859, the Irish Times has been an influential presence in national affairs. Initially the voice of Home Rule, then of Unionism, the paper adapted to the changing circumstances of the twentieth century, consolidating its position as the nation’s premier journal of record while developing a new rôle as champion of liberal values often at odds with those of the political and religious establishment.
Based on thorough perusal of available records and on personal recollections, Changing Times charts a chequered but always fascinating history, enlivened by a wealth of anecdotes and by vivid pen-portraits of the often colourful individuals who, as managers or editors, steered the fortunes of the paper, and of the outstanding journalists, columnists and cartoonists who made it ‘the best Times this side of the Atlantic’.
Until now there has been no overall history of this significant actor in Irish social and political history. Few could be as well placed to remedy this omission as Dermot James. Entering the staff of the Irish Times in 1946, James spent his entire working life with the newspaper, starting at the front counter accepting ‘small ads’ and ending with two decades as company secretary. He is thus uniquely qualified to give an account which balances the two essential, if sometimes conflicting, aspects of a busy daily – the editorial and the entrepreneurial
Joseph Walshe: Irish Foreign Policy 1922-1946 by Aengus Nolan
Large Paperback; 20 Euro / 30 USD / 15 UK; 370 pages [Add To Basket]
Recalled to Ireland from Paris in 1922 as the Treaty split the country and with only a short time as a diplomat behind him, Joseph Walshe went on to serve twenty-four years as acting secretary and then secretary of the External Affairs department. His inexperience was echoed by the inexperience of all those who ran departments in the emerging Free State. His first challenge was to establish External Affairs as a strong, independent department despite the general opinion that it was unnecessary. Despite his initial opposition to Fianna Fail and his fears that they posed a threat to the state, he subsequently worked closely with de Valera when his party came to power in 1932. During the second world war he was deeply involved in maintaining the state's policy of friendly neutrality despite pressure from British and later American diplomats and politicians.
Ireland’s Magdalen Laundries and the Nation’s Architecture of Containment by James M. Smith
Large Paperback; 26 Euro / 38 USD / 19 UK; 262 pages [Add To Basket]
Ireland's Magdalen Laundries and the Nation's Architecture of Containment connects Ireland s Magdalen laundries and the nation-state s nativist politics in the post-independence era, while critically evaluating cultural representations of the Magdalen laundries that have, over the past fifteen years, recovered these institutions from the amnesia at the center of state politics. The first half of the book explores the relationship between the Magdalen laundries and the nation s architecture of containment, which rendered invisible segments of the population (e.g., illegitimate children, single mothers, the sexually promiscuous, etc.) who contradicted the state s constitutional vision for a newly independent Ireland. The book interrogates available archival resources, including government reports, legislative debates, and court cases, to assert that the state was always an active agent in the operation and function of the nation s Magdalen homes. The second half of the book considers a wide range of creative works that help imagine and give narrative form to the Magdalen experience: commercial, independent documentaries, photography and literary representations. Recent cultural reenactments, Smith argues, contribute to the emergence of an alternative national narrative that finally incorporates the women effaced by the nation s containment culture. Ultimately, the book contends that Ireland s Magdalen institutions chiefly exist in the public mind at the level of story (cultural representation and survivor testimony) rather than history (archival history and documentation). This fascinating study will be invaluable to those interested in Irish History, Gender History and Social History.
Walled Gardens: Scenes from an Irish Childhood by Annabel Davis-Goff
Large Paperback; 20 Euro / 30 USD / 15 UK; 255 pages [Add To Basket]
Walled Gardens" is a brilliant portrait of the Anglo-Irish ascendancy, struggling through the post-war depression aided by drink, horse-racing and religion, and their own idiosyncratic adaptations to modern life. Seen from the troubled perspective of the daughter of an aristocratic family in decline, we watch the disintegration of a marriage in elegant but emotionally chilled surroundings, and the struggle to keep up appearances, and a collapsing roof, in front of the neighbours. By turns sad, absured and funny, the story is ultimately liberating as failure leads to freedom.
Ireland’s Professional Amateurs: A Sports Season at Its Purest by Andy Mendlowitz
Large Paperback; 15 Euro / 22 USD / 11 UK; 200 pages [Add To Basket]
When American sportswriter Andy Mendlowitz took a summer vacation to Ireland, his itinerary included visiting medieval castles and drinking dark beer. He soon discovered a world where big-time sports aren't yet a business, but still a game. Ireland's rough-and-tumble pastimes of hurling and Gaelic football attract crowds of up to 80,000 fans a contest. The high-profile players, though, are amateurs. They train as professionals but must work fulltime jobs to pay the bills. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) also lacks free agency or trades-you simply play for your hometown team, even if you move away.
Amazed by this concept, and burned out at work, Mendlowitz quit his job and moved to Ireland for eight months His aim was to get excited again by understanding what drives these athletes. Along the way, he met interesting characters and learned how the sports intersect with the ancient Irish language, burgeoning economy and the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
From big cities like Belfast, Dublin and Cork to tiny rural parishes, Mendlowitz paints a vivid picture of Ireland and the joy of competing.
Ireland: Land of Celtic Myths and Legend by Simona Tarchetti
Large Format Hardback; 15 Euro / 22 USD / 11 UK; 130 pages, with full colour photographs throughout [Add To Basket]
What gives Ireland its charm? What is it that makes this verdant island, the land of the shamrock and one of the last intact corners of natural beauty in old Europe so unique?The images and words in this book attempt to delve into the roots of the enchantment that makes Ireland one of the best-loved places in Europe. George Bernard Shaw called it "the land of dreams," while Yeats extolled it as "the land of heart's desire." These descriptions provide an initial interpretation of the intriguing beauty of Ireland, its almost surreal, imaginary, fantastical dimension. And yet, when one comes to Ireland and discovers it as it really is, the country of dreams and imagination manages to coincide perfectly with the real country. Perhaps it is because here more than anywhere else, reality is imbued with myths and legends, thus becoming an ideal background for the adventures of fairies, heroes, elves and sprites, ancient history, written by saints, Celtic kings and Viking warriors and the taste for music and poetry that gives the Irish the souls of bards.
The Donegal Woman by John Throne p> Trade Paperback; 16 Euro / 22 USD / 11 UK; 435 pages [Add To Basket]
Less than 100 years ago a form of slavery still persisted in parts of rural Ireland - the hiring fair system. Children as young as seven or eight were sold for fixed periods by their impoverished parents to farmers who worked them to the bone,treating them often as little more than cattle. Often worse.
The Donegal Woman is based on a true story of the author's own grandmother. Born to the poorest of Protestant farmers in the hills of Donegal, Margaret was hired out as a child, raped by her master, and then, pregnant, forced to marry another man many times her age. But Margaret survived in a silent world of her own, driven by her passionate determination to do right by her children.
Reviving the tradition of three of Ulster's great radical writers, Peadar O' Donnell, Patrick MacGill and Sam Hannah Bell, this author, in his first novel, has captured the authentic voice of a woman of extraordinary spirit.
Please note: Prices were correct at time of original posting but are subject to subsequent change without notice.
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