Read Ireland Book Reviews
Issue 413 - 3/4 May 2008
Unfulfilled Promise: Donogh O’Malley by PJ Browne
Paperback; 15 Euro / 22 USD / 11 UK; 190 pages, with an 8-page black-and-white photo insert
Donogh O Malley, Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick East and Minister for Education, died suddenly on Sunday 10 March 1968. He was forty-seven. Never has an Irish minister made such an enduring impact, although O Malley served in the Department of Education for only fourteen months. The free secondary education and school transport scheme he introduced in 1966 7 brought massive change to Ireland, easing the financial, social and psychological burdens of poorer families, both urban and rural. His reforms in education assuredly paved the way for the economic success of the Celtic Tiger a generation later. A charismatic, brash, self-confident politician, DOM refused to be intimidated by a complacent civil service or by domineering Catholic Church figures. He was a man of vision, who preferred to push legislation through quickly at times recklessly when he believed it was for the benefit of the nation. Although a member of the wealthy O Malley family in Limerick, he was revered by the poor in the city and found his greatest satisfaction in working on their behalf. The tragedy for Limerick and for Ireland was that Donogh O Malley died before fulfilling his political potential, leaving a wife, née Hilda Moriarty, and two teenage children. Had he lived, and become Taoiseach, the history of Ireland would have been substantially different.
The Vatican Pimpernel: The Wartime Exploits of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty
Trade Paperback with Endflaps; 18 Euro / 24 USD / 12 UK; 212 pages [Add To Basket]
Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty is an unsung hero in his native Ireland. From Kerry, he was a Vatican monsignor and diplomat. During the German occupation of Rome from 1942 to 1944, he devoted his time and energy to running an escape organisation for Allied POWs and civilians, including Jews. Building a network of contacts and safe locations around Rome, his helpers included the religious, communists, a Swiss count, British soldiers, the singer Delia Murphy and many others. He placed thousands in safety and was known as the Pimpernel of the Vatican. The work was dangerous. Safe within the Vatican state due to diplomatic immunity, he regularly ventured out using disguises to continue his mission. Kappler, the Gestapo chief in Rome, ordered him captured or killed if seen outside the Vatican. None of those recaptured and tortured betrayed him. When the Allies entered Rome he had saved over 6,000 lives. Kappler was sentenced to life. His only visitor, monthly, for many years, was O'Flaherty. They became friends and in 1959, O'Flaherty baptised Kappler. O'Flaherty was awarded the highest honours by many Allied countries, including a CBE (UK), the Congressional Medal (US), and was the first Irishman named Notary of the Holy Office. He retired to Cahirciveen in 1960. Eight million watched him in 1963 on BBC's This Is Your Life, in which he was to be the subject but was too ill, about his ally Colonel Sam Derry. Within months he was dead. His death was reported in the New York Times and by papers all over the world. The Oskar Schindler of Ireland was immortalised in a 1983 film starring Gregory Peck as O Flaherty, The Scarlet and the Black, yet the only monument to him in Ireland is a grove of Italian trees planted in Killarney National Park in 1994 and a poem to mark the occasion by Brendan Kennelly.
The Irish Man Who Ran for England by Jim Hogan
Paperback; 15 Euro / 22 USD / 11 UK; 150 pages
Nothing came easy for Jim Hogan. As a newborn baby he was given up for dead, only to be rescued by a visitor who declared, He may be nearly dead but he will be famous one day. How prophetic that visitor was. Hogan came late to athletics but his career thereafter was a brilliant series of victories. Self-trained for many years, he reached the peak of his athletic career after moving to England in 1960. Under the most bizarre of circumstances, Hogan won a gold medal in the marathon of the 1966 European Championships running in an English vest. Why the best Irish long-distance runner of his generation was obliged to declare for England is an extraordinary story. That he was successful under these circumstances only adds to the legend of the Mad Irishman . The enigmatic Hogan, who has also had a lifelong passion for horses, might have chosen a career as a jump jockey but recognised that his sporting potential lay with athletics. Combative, outspoken, colourful and driven to succeed, he battled a cruel bureaucracy in Irish athletics. This is one man's inspiring story of overcoming the odds and realising his dream.
Over My Shoulder: A Memoir by Norma McMaster
Paperback; 13 Euro / 17 USD / 9 UK; 160 pages [Add To Basket]
Norma McMaster grew up in Co Cavan in the 1940s and 50s as a Presbyterian. This is a simple, charming and very informative memoir of those times and of the experiences of a young girl growing up in a very close-knit family, in clear harmony with their neighbours and yet holding on to their own distinctive culture and way of seeing things. She tells of her experiences of the Orange marches and dances around the Glorious Twalf, of the complete lack of any tensions about this with her neighbours, as far as she could see, and of the clearly understood necessity for Protestant girls to go to dances and socials which were patronised by Protestant boys - the consequences of the Catholic NeTemere decree were all too deeply felt.
Brief Encounters: A Memoir by Edith Newman Devlin
Paperback; 17 Euro / 23 USD / 12 UK; 294 pages
Having already made her mark with her original volume of memoirs, A Dublin Childhood Edith Newman Devlin now delivers a further series of personal memoirs, Brief Encounters, a collection of travel writing based on trips she has made that were inspired by her many and varied literary and cultural connections. She writes about such exotic places as communist Russia, Siberia, China, Katmandu, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Africa and even Outer Mongolia with her trademark wit and compassion.
There’s Something About Mary by Mary Banotti
Paperback; 15 Euro / 22 USD / 11 UK; 190 pages [Add To Basket]
Mary, traditionally the most popular name for girls in Catholic Ireland, transcended political, geographical and social boundaries (and as far as girl babies born today are concerned it is hardly ever considered.). As one of the interviewed politicians (Mary Upton) said to Mary Banotti: They don t make Marys any more! Most Irish women who have achieved success in political life, including presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, have been called Mary. What is it about Mary? In the current government high-profile ministers with that name include Minister for Health, Mary Harney, Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin and Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan. Sixteen of the twenty-two women elected to Dáil Éireann in the 2007 election are called Mary. Mary Banotti interviewed all the political Marys she could find to elicit their views on their name, their families, their political traditions and their aspirations. The result is an engaging, entertaining and informative book.
St. Patrick: The Real Story As Told In His Own Words translated by Jim McCormack
Paperback; 7 Euro / 10 USD / 5 UK [Add To Basket]
St Patrick, uniquely among early Irish saints, has left us two documents written by his own hand. They are the Confessio and the Letter to Coroticus. Together they give us the only information about St Patrick that we can take for certain and they also represent a unique insight into the spirituality and theology of the man who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. This is a new translation of the Confessio into contemporary language by an experienced teacher who has tested his version with classes over a number of years and has found it to work well.
The National Gallery of Ireland: An Essential Guide by Raymond Keaveney
Large Paperback; 24 Euro / 32 USD / 16 UK; 300 pages, with full colour photos throughout [Add To Basket]
The National Gallery of Ireland has an important and fascinating collection, covering the main schools of Western art. Established in the 19th century, the Gallery houses pieces ranging from Byzantine icons to 20th-century paintings. In tune with the changing styles in art during the early years of the 20th century, the Gallery acquired works by artists such as Degas, Signac, Bonnard and Picasso. In addition it holds works by earlier masters, including Mantegna, Caravaggio, Vel zquez, Poussin, Rembrandt and Vermeer. As well as presenting art from across Europe, this guide is uniquely informative about members of the Irish School, such as Lavery, Orpen and Jack B. Yeats.
Images of Cork City: Shared Moments by Crian Lillis
Large Paperback; 20 Euro / 26 USD / 13 UK; full colour photos throughout [Add To Basket]
Cork today is a prosperous and international city, visited by thousands every year and loved by its inhabitants. From a medieval walled town to a bustling port and now a modern, thriving city, Cork's landscape is constantly changing. In the face of this change and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the beauty and history of the city is often overlooked. "Images of Cork City" is a stunning photographic record of Cork at the start of the new millennium. From the city's striking river and harbour to the lively city centre and peaceful public parks, the reader is taken on a journey that shows the city at its most appealing.
Bumper Book of Simplex Crosswords from the Irish Times by Mary O’Brien
Paperback; 10 Euro / 15 USD / 7 UK; 300 pages [Add To Basket]
Contains 300 Simplex crosswords in a book form.
The Irish B& B Cookbook by Ann Mulligan
Paperback; 10 Euro / 15 USD / 7 UK; 190 pages [Add To Basket]
A selection of recipes to delight both the beginner and the accomplished cook. A great find for anyone who wishes to entertain with confidence or for the busy professional who wants an alternative to flavourless meals. Using local ingredients with a dash of ingenuity to counteract repetition in everyday meals, Ann's recipes are health-conscious without sacrificing taste. As well as recipes for traditional brown bread and scones, there are mouth-watering dishes like Cashel Blue Potato Bake, Salmon Florentine, Helvic Head Seafood Gumbo and Rustic Tomato Soup. Desserts are easily prepared yet decadent. All the reader will need is a shopping list and a spirit of adventure.
Please note: Prices were correct at time of original posting but are subject to subsequent change without notice.
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