The End of Hidden Ireland: Rebellion, Famine and Emigration, Robert J. Scally (Oxford University Press, £21.50)

Ralahine, Prosperous, Kingwilliamstown, Dolly’s Brae, Ceim an Fhia, Carrickshock: small, insignificant places, yet places with strong resonances in Irish history. Is Ballykilcline, an obscure Roscommon townland containing fewer than five hundred souls on the eve of the Famine, now about to join them? Probably not, for a few reasons. Part of the problem is that … Read more

The Path to Freedom: Articles and speeches, by Michael Collins (Mercier Press, £6.99)

The contemporary Irish interest in the reprinting of Michael Collins’ notes of August 1922 was not lost on Mercier Press. On the back of their book are Collins’ remarks about the vain efforts to bring about a truce with the British in December 1920: The actions taken indicated an over-keen desire for peace, and although … Read more