JAMES STAFFORD Cambridge University Press £75/€90 ISBN 9781316516126 Reviewed by Timothy Murtagh This book’s title is a reference to William Molyneux’s seminal 1698 pamphlet The case of Ireland, widely regarded as a turning-point in the evolution of ideas about Irish nationhood. Rather than focusing on concepts of Irish nationalism or national struggle, however, Stafford’s work … Read more
By Daragh Fitzgerald The recent passing of the Legacy Bill through the UK Houses of Commons and Lords—a move opposed by all political parties in Ireland, regardless of constitutional persuasion—renders Huw Bennett’s Uncivil war: the British Army and the Troubles, 1966–1975 an altogether frustrating though nevertheless compelling read. Examining the strategy, tactics, rhetoric and actions … Read more
MARK COEN, KATHERINE O’DONNELL and MAEVE O’ROURKE Bloomsbury ISBN 9781350279063 £19.99 Reviewed by Sheila Ahern Sheila Ahern is a freelance researcher, writer and broadcaster, formerly with RTÉ (1987–2000). In the twentieth century there were ten Magdalene laundries in Ireland, run by four religious orders. Here the editors explain that ‘by focusing on this one institution—on … Read more
GEARÓID Ó FAOLEÁN Merrion Press ISBN 9781785374456 €19.99 Reviewed By Niall Meehan Niall Meehan is the retired head of Griffith College’s Journalism and Media Faculty. Volume 1 of Broad church was Gearóid Ó Faoleán’s path-breaking Ph.D-based analysis of the base of southern support for the Provisional IRA during the 1970s. Volume 2 takes us through … Read more
ROB GOODBODY Wordwell Ltd £22.99 ISBN 978-1-913934-87-3 (pb) ISBN 978-1-913934-94-1 (e-book) Reviewed by Tommy Graham Tommy Graham is editor of History Ireland and a former apprentice fitter-turner in ESB Ringsend. Ballycorus is a townland about 2.5km to the west of Shankill, Co. Dublin. It is most notable for the chimney that stands at its highest … Read more