Garrett FitzGerald (Irish Academic Press, 332.50) ISBN 0716527758 For good or for bad, intellectuals don’t figure prominently in Irish politics so Garrett FitzGerald can only be regarded as an exception, not only for being one of Fine Gael’s most successful leaders but also for leaving us with an interesting account of his thoughts on the … Read more
Tom Dunne (Lilliput Press, 320) ISBN 1843510391 In this ambitious and often deeply personal book, Tom Dunne offers his own perspective on Irish history, on the process of historical commemoration and on current interpretations of the 1798 Rebellion in Wexford. Dunne’s book is divided into three quite distinct parts that might each have formed the … Read more
David Fitzpatrick (Cork University Press, 335) ISBN 1859182224 In writing this biography at the request of Harry’s nephew and namesake Annraoi Ó Beolláin, David Fitzpatrick declared his objective to be ‘a balanced and impartial account of an outstanding life’. With unlimited access to the family archive, it undoubtedly presents an unprecedented wealth of detail. … Read more
R.F. Foster (Oxford University Press, 344.40) ISBN 0198184654 W.B. Yeats: vain, glorious, lout: a maker of modern Ireland Anthony J. Jordan (Westport Books, 313) ISBN 0952444720 ‘The work is done,’ grown old he thought, ‘According to my boyish plan; Let the fools rage, I swerved in naught, Something to perfection brought’; But louder … Read more
National Photographic Archive, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin, until 29 May 2004. by Tony Canavan Today, when many exhibitions present a multimedia, interactive experience, this one stands out for its simplicity. It is a straightforward display on two floors of the National Photographic Archive of the black-and-white photographs of Dr J.J. Clarke from … Read more