98 books (at least) for `98
Aengus O Snodaigh suggests something to read from the library of
books commemorating 1798
My wife frowns when she hears that I am reviewing books,
researching historical articles for An Phoblacht or preparing for
that long-dreamed of bestseller. ``Not more bloody books,'' she
says, which is why I have now taken to storing them in the office
until that day when some genie gives me enough time to build new
shelves, convert the attic or buys me a mansion.
Having welcomed the new library of books (reprints included) on
the Famine, I take pleasure in announcing the beginnings of
another library, that commemorating the United Irishmen and the
events of 1798.
Again it is good to see that historians, rather than
`revisionists', are to the fore in presenting the findings of new
historical research. In line with most recent writings in Irish
history, the majority of the texts are written in an easily
understood and accessible manner and many are wonderfully
illustrated with contemporary drawings, paintings, cartoons and
maps. Some though are penned in that mysterious style which
complicates history with academic jargon.
Michael Kenny's The 1798 Rebellion (National Museum of Ireland
£4.99) is still the best short history of the period and coupled
with John Killen's The Decade of the United Irishmen:
contemporary accounts 1791-1801 (Blackstaff £12.99) will go a
long way to enlightening the uninitiated. Dóchas Aduaidh le
Proinsias Mac an Bheatha (Coiscéim £3) and Michael O'Flanagan's
When they followed Henry Joy are also well written general texts.
Fiction and faction such as Eoghan O Tuaraisc's classic L'Attaque
(Mercier) will also make appearances. In the style of the Anvil
Books of the Tan War (Dan Breen, Tom Barry, and so on) is Fr John
Murphy of Boolavogue, 1753-1798 by Nicholas Furlong (Geography
Publications £10). The Year of the French by Thomas Flanagan and
Thomas Pakenham's The Year of Liberty (Weidenfeld & Nicholson
£20) are a must for those who wish to relive the excitement and
the fear of the revolutionary days in Ireland 200 years ago.
The abridged and colourfully illustrated edition of Thomas
Pakenham's The Year of Liberty: the Great Irish Rebellion of 1798
(Weidenfeld & Nicholson £14.99stg) would make a delightful
Christmas present if you can get your hands on it.
The Life and Times: Theobald Wolfe Tone by Thomas Bartlett
(Historical Association of Ireland, £6); Life of Wolfe Tone
edited by Thomas Bartlett; and Wolfe Tone by Henry Boylan (£6.99,
Gill & Macmillan) will join the many other biographies of the
Father of Irish Republicanism including Marianne Elliot's large
tome Wolfe Tone: prophet of Irish independence (Yale).
Other biographies such as Citizen Lord: Edward Fitzgerald
1763-1798 by Stella Tillyard; Mícheál Og O Longáin le Rónán O
Donnchadha (Coiscéim £5) faoi file mór an ama; Thomas Russell,
the man from God knows where by Denis Carroll; C.J. Woods
excellent deciphering work Journals and memories of Thomas
Russell (Irish Academic Press) and Rupert Coughlin's 1977
publication Napper Tandy will ensure that the other leaders are
not forgotten or overshadowed by Tone.
Some of the work of United Irish emissaries and exiles in Europe
in trying to promote the cause and organise expeditions is
covered in On the Road to Rebellion; the United Irishmen and
Hamburg 1796-1803 by Paul Weber (Four Courts £30). This would
compliment Marianne Elliot's Partners in Revolution: the United
Irishmen and France (Yale) published a few years ago. I await Fr
Raymond Murray's book on the life of Fr James Coigley for a full
account of the connections made by Irish radicals with those in
England and in France.
The Women of 1798 by Dáire Keogh and Nicholas Furlong (Four
Courts £12.50): Mná Calma 1798 le Séamus O Síocháin (reissue next
year) and The life and times of Mary Ann McCracken by Mary
O'Neill (Blackstaff) will ensure that the role of women is not
ignored. Nor will the role of priests and ministers in the rising
be forgotten with Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter: the clergy
and 1798 edited by Liam Swords (Columba £12.99).
The Tellicherry Five by Kieran Sheedy (Woodfield £9.99)
compliments his other work on United Irish leader Michael Dwyer.
Rebels and Informers: stirrings of Irish independence by Robert
Knox (John Murray £20stg) begins to tackle the vital role played
by the most obnoxious of characters in Britain's war in Ireland,
the informer. The intelligence bureaucracy became so bogged down
with informants' material that they failed on occasions to heed
their warnings. Knox is a former member of a Thatcher think-tank
and his findings should be interesting.
There are many new and not so new books of essay compilations,
including:
The People's Rising: the 1798 rebellion in Wexford by Daniel
Gahan (Gill & Macmillan £12.99); The Tree of Liberty: radicalism,
Catholicism and the construction of Irish identity 1760-1830 - four
essays from the Field Day lectures by Kevin Whelan (Cork
University Press £14.95); The Mighty Wave: the 1798 rebellion in
Wexford edited by Dáire Keogh and Nicholas Furlong (Four Courts
Press, £9.95); The French are in the Bay edited by John A. Murphy
(Mercier £7.99); The United Irishmen: republicanism, radicalism
and rebellion edited by David Dickson, Dáire Keogh and Kevin
Whelan (Lilliput £15); and Rebellion: Ireland in 1798 by Daniel
Gahan (O'Brien, £14.99)a vivid account of the rebellions and a
commemorative yearbook which has Comóradh `98's stamp of
approval.
While many of the books recommended are old favourites
reappearing for the commemorative year there are other
forthcoming titles. Pádraic O'Farrell's miscellany A Handbook of
`98 (Lilliput £7.99); Wolfe Tone's Belmont Castle or suffering
sensibility (Lilliput £7.99); and The Irish Yeomanry, 1796-1843
by Alan Blackstock (Four Courts £30).
Next year will see many more, with most historical societies and
1798 commemorative committees publishing local histories or
guides similar to The sites of the 1798 Rising in Antrim and Down
by Bill Wilsdon (Blackstaff £7.99); The Battle sites of 1798
series by Art Kavanagh (Irish Family Names); Dublin in 1798:
three illustrated walks by Denis Carroll (South Hill
Communication £3); and Ceatharlach i 1798 le Pádraig O Snodaigh
(Coiscéim £3).
I can hear my non-existing shelves groaning under the weight
already and the commemorative year is only about to begin. What
of the 150th anniversary of the Young Irelanders, the 75th
anniversary of the Civil War? Oh no!
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