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Welcome to Irish Academic Press Irish Academic Press is a long established Dublin-based publisher of high quality books of Irish interest. Our publishing programme includes Irish History, Contemporary Irish History, Military and Political History, Literature, Arts and the Media, Social History, Women's Studies and Genealogy. We hope that among our past and present titles you will find titles of interest.
Our new and forthcoming publications include several important and eagerly awaited titles. |
|  | Madness and Murder
Gender, Crime and Mental Disorder in Nineteenth Century Ireland
Prior, Pauline
This book presents the stories of men and women charged with murder in nineteenth century Ireland. Some were found guilty and sentenced to death and others were sent to the Central Criminal Asylum for Ireland at Dundrum. For those considered to be 'insane' at the time of committing the crime, their fate was an indefinite committal to Dundrum. For those considered responsible for their actions, it meant the death sentence which, in the first half of the century, was often reduced to transportation and, in the second half of the century, to penal servitude within the prison system. Drawing on her specialist knowledge of mental health policy and law, and with unique access to convict records, Prior explores these crimes within the context of criminal justice policies in Ireland at this time. Her examination of previously unexamined records shows that court judgments were highly gendered. The death penalty remained a possibility for anyone found guilty of murder and while the execution of a woman was unusual, it did occur. However, with the opening of a criminal lunatic asylum in 1850, a new approach was possible. Men who killed women and women who killed children began to use the insanity defence very successfully. For some, this was a positive outcome, leading to a short period of detention in Dundrum, but for others it led to a lifetime in an asylum. For those found guilty of the crime, the most frequent outcome was a long stretch in prison. An interesting outcome for many of these convicts was official assistance in emigrating to the US at the end of their sentences ó a theme explored in the final chapter. If you are interested in crime in Ireland, in the link between mental disorder and crime, or in the impact of gender on crime and its punishment, this book is for you.
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|  | The Quest for Modern Ireland
The Battle of Ideas 1912-1986
Fanning, Bryan
Bryan Fanning brings to life the battle of ideas and intellectual debates that shaped modern Ireland. The quest depicted here was one by Irish civil servants, clerics, economists, historians, poets, politicians, sociologists, and writers to understand and face up to social, economic, and political dilemmas. Though often presented as such, this was never a Manichean battle between authoritarians and liberals, conservatives and progressives, or between religiosity and secularism. The book offers a unique and nuanced insight into Irish social, cultural, economic, and political development through its focus on the debates fostered by five influential periodicals. In The Crane Bag, poets and philosophers led by Richard Kearney placed what he called the Irish mind on the couch in an effort to make sense of the Northern conflict. In The Bell, Sean O'Faolain rallied liberal writers against the national myths seemed to obscure everyday reality. In Christus Rex, Catholic conservatives pursued a modern Ireland of their choosing through dominance of the social sciences. Studies fostered a long-running engagement between liberalism and Catholicism ignored within 'standard' accounts of Irish modernisation. This saw bishops quoting F.A Hayek and economists citing papal encyclicals. It saw John Maynard Keynes argue the case for Irish economic nationalism and Patrick Lynch make the one for state-led planning and economic development. In Administration, civil servants wrestled with the new myths of Irish manifest destiny set in train by T.K Whitaker's Economic Development. Fanning's approach of allowing the original voices to breathe, to let them make their own case on their own terms, injects fresh life into the study of the Irish twentieth century. His achievement is to explain and bring together the preoccupations of the two sundered academic worlds of Irish Studies and Irish social science in a landmark study of the intellectual politics of Irish nation-building.
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|  | Thomas Kinsella
Designing for the Exact Needs
Harmon, Maurice
This comprehensive study interprets Thomas Kinsella's extraordinary progress from lyric poems and meditations about fragility and impermanence to complex assessments of individual isolation and helplessness in the modern world. His work, which has been knitted to Dublin city, expresses his engagement with Irish life and culture in 'Nightwalker', Poems from Centre City, Personal Places, and The Pen Shop. His involvement with Irish history, evident in his absorption with the past and his creative interpretation of the arrival and settling in of prehistoric people, is demonstrated in his extensive translations from Irish literature. He is also a universal poet who has explored Jungian archetypes in New Poems, psychological stress in the 'Wormwood' sequence, and the notion of meaninglessness in Her Vertical Smile and of living on the edge in Marginal Economy. In his persistent search for understanding, he has examined the effects of evil whether expressed in man's proclivity for destruction, the direct concern of Man of War, or the reality of death in the elegies for Se·n ” Riada, John F. Kennedy, and his own father. Deprived of a community of shared values and the reassurances of philosophy or religion, he has conducted a systematic investigation of the question of causality and responsibility in the human and divine spheres, whether articulated by artists like Gustav Mahler or Se·n ” Riada, or thinkers like St Augustine, Eriugena or Aurelius, and has verified the role of the artist as measured and exact recorder. His poems dramatise issues through narrative, elegy, allegory, and myth, and commemorate love, ceremony, natural beauty, and creativity itself.
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|  | A Nation of Extremes
The Pioneers in Twentieth Century Ireland
Ferriter, Diarmaid
Explores the extraordinary relationship the Irish have with alcohol from the point of view of the group who were intent on reducing alcohol consumption through membership in the Pioneer Total Abstinence of the Sacred Heart. The Pioneers was formed in 1898, by the mid 1950s the association was to claim a membership of nearly half a million, identifiable by the wearing of a pin, the outward expression of an internal and deeply personal piety. It was a startling figure for such a small country but the stereotype of the Irish as a nation of heavy drinkers continued unabated, aided by vast expenditure on alcohol. As the century progressed two diametrically opposed cultures - abstinence and heavy drinking - were lying alongside each other. Ferriter makes use of previously unpublished sources, examines the Irish temperance movement in the context of Irish society as a whole and attempts to tease out some of the intricacies and ambiguities associated with these two cultures. Although the leaders of this temperance crusade insisted that it was primarily a religious movement, given the pervasiveness of the Irish drink culture it was inevitable that in their desire to transform attitudes they would have to involve themselves in the wider, and more material debates about the role of drink in Irish society. The fact that the movement was founded at a time of intense cultural nationalism gave these debates an added potency, particularly as it had often been contended that increased sobriety was essential for any self-respecting self-governing nation. After Independence, the quest for sobriety and an initially robust Catholic crusade ultimately led to confrontation and confusion.
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|  | The Impact of the 1916 Rising
Among the Nations
O'Donnell, Ruan
This book is a collection of new research on neglected aspects of the 1916 Rising by top scholars. It examines the impact of the Rising within the United Kingdom, the British Empire, North America and Australasia and provides a fresh context to recently published work on key figures such as James Connolly and Padraig Pearse. Contents: Introduction Ruan O'Donnell. The Limerick Volunteers and 1916 John O'Callaghan.Vanguard of the Revolution? The Irish Citizen Army, 1916 Ann Matthews. ëA Land Beyond the Seaí: Irish and Scottish Republicans in Dublin, 1916í Mairtin Sean O Cathain. The British Labour and Socialist Movement and the 1916 Rising David Granville. Antipodean Irish Catholic Responses to the 1916 Rising Rory Sweetman. ëThe Wilson Administration and the 1916 Rising Bernadette Whelan. Journees Sanglantes/ Days of Blood: The French Press and the Easter Rising Ian McKeane. The Easter Rising and the First World War. A Contextual Study Priscilla Metscher and James Connolly. ëA People That Did Not Exist?: Reflections on Some Sources and Contexts for Patrick Pearseís Militant Nationalism Roisin Ni Ghairbhi. 1916: Insurrection or Rebellion? Making Judgements Peter Berresford Ellis. ëThe Wind that Shakes the Barley': Reflections on the Writing of Irish History in the Period of the Easter Rising and the Irish War of Independence Brian P Murphy. Rethinking the Republic: The Republican Movement and 1966 Matt Treacy. Appendices: The 1916 Proclamation. Introduction to C. Desmond Greaves, 1916 as History, The Myth of Blood Sacrifice Anthony Coughlan. Nominal Roll of the Irish Citizen's Army.
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|  | IRA Internments and the Irish Government
Subversives and the State, 1939-1962
Maguire, John
Examines a neglected period in the history of the IRA and looks at the acceptability and success of internment as an expedient in the Irish government's ongoing struggle with republican subversive organisations during both the Second World War and the border campaign. The book looks at the reasons for the subsequent drift away from the use of this measure, despite its previous successes in containing the IRA threat to the Irish State. It draws extensively on previously unavailable primary source material in various archives in both Ireland and Britain. The oral testimony of many surviving contemporaries is supplemented by an in-depth examination of the files of the Irish government, thereby presenting a detailed political assessment of the events under consideration. In addition, the voluminous records relating to the Lawless Case held in the Attorney General's Office have been particularly valuable in documenting, for the first time, the unprecedented domestic legal proceedings in this landmark action. The book considers the overall impact of the Lawless Case in influencing the future direction of Irish counter-insurgency policy and the subsequent drift away from the use of internment as an acceptable expedient in the State's ongoing struggle with subversives.
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|  | Crossing the Border
New Relationships between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Coakley, John; O'Dowd, Liam
This timely book provides the first sustained examination of cross-border relationships since the momentous sequence of events that began with the Good Friday agreement of 1998. It looks at changing patterns of North-South relations in three broad domains: politics and public administration, the economy, and civil society. Specific topics covered include the cross-border implementation bodies, the island economy, the voluntary sector, education, health, planning, public policy, and the EU. The book draws on findings from a two-year research project embracing a large, multi-disciplinary team based in Dublin, Belfast, Dundalk, and Armagh. The book also sets recent changes in perspective, outlining the evolution of cross-border relationships between partition in 1920 and the recent comprehensive settlement, and exploring the extent to which leaders North and South remained in denial about the evolving impact and implications of the border until the closing decades of the 20th century. The authors demonstrate how the search for a settlement in Northern Ireland has created a new dynamic in cross-border relationships, underlining the critical importance of these relationships in sustaining the peace process. In a trenchant assessment of future prospects, the book stresses the extent to which new North-South relationships have been dependent on external funding from the EU and the US. It argues that the diminution of these funds potentially threatens the sustainability of successful cross-border programs, putting the onus on the two governments to develop a more coherent and strategic approach to cross-border co-operation.
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|  | The Evolution of the Troubles 1970-72
Hennessey, Thomas
This book explores the evolution of the Northern Ireland Troubles from an ethno-national conflict into an insurgency against the British state in Northern Ireland in the crucial years of 1970 to 1972. The book combines the decisions of 'high politics' with the experiences of those on the ground, for whom these decisions made the greatest impact. It tells the story of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events covering the evolving Provisional IRA insurgency and the British Army's counter-insurgency. Key areas covered include: the Falls Road Curfew; Anglo-Irish relations; North-South relations on the island of Ireland; the fall of the Chichester-Clark Government; the premiership of Brian Faulkner; internment; Bloody Sunday; and the suspension of Stormont.
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|  | Transforming the Peace Process in Northern Ireland
From Terrorism to Democratic Politics
Bloomer, Stephen; Edwards, Aaron
This book focuses on the decade since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998, as political and paramilitary actors attempt to adjust to the rigors of democratic participation. It delineates the key stumbling blocks in the current peace and political processes and examines in detail just how the conversion from terrorism to democratic politics is being managed in post-conflict Northern Ireland. It fills a gap in the literature by juxtaposing ëtop-levelí political party and inter-governmental politics alongside ëmiddle-rangeí civil society interventions and ëgrass-rootsí community level politics. Moreover, it provides an empirically informed examination of the central political ideologies, parties, and identities at play, as well as the methodologies by which paramilitary groupings are attempting to deal with the legacies of the past conflict. The book draws its contributors from across the disciplinary boundaries of political science, history, anthropology, sociology, and political sociology and is situated within a broad analytical and theoretical framework.
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|  | Public Opinion, Politics and Society in Contemporary Ireland
Lyons, Pat
This book demonstrates what the polling evidence tells us about changes in Irish opinion towards key issues since 1970: The economy ó has the Celtic tiger economy changed Irish citizens? --- Northern Ireland ó have aspirations for a united Ireland disappeared with the peace process? --- The Liberal agenda ó has Ireland become less conservative and a more tolerant society on issues such as divorce, abortion, and homosexuality? --- European integration ó have Irish attitudes toward the EU changed since accession in 1973? The main source of data used in this research is media commissioned opinion polls that have been undertaken on behalf of The Irish Times and Independent Newspapers Ltd by Irish Marketing Services (IMS), Lansdowne Market Research, and the Market Research Bureau (MRBI). Using a variety of techniques, this book investigates the success of opinion polls in predicting election outcomes and some key factors underpinning political satisfaction ratings. It demonstrates that while there has been considerable socio-economic change in Ireland, there has been much stability in public opinion. An important puzzle is also addressed ó why is public opinion on many issues, as measured in polls, inconsistent? This study shows that quite often the public does not have overarching views but has instead bundles of opinion. The book concludes that opinion polls do provide a unique and valuable insight into Irish public opinion, however, poll results do not speak for themselves and need to be interpreted with care.
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|  | Essays in Irish Labour History
A Festschrift for Elizabeth and John W Boyle
Devine, Francis; Lane, Fintan; Puirséil, Naimh
Essays in Irish Labour History is a tribute to the late Professor John W Boyle, University of Guelph, Canada and a leading practitioner of Irish labour history, and his late wife Elizabeth. Boyleís specialism was in nineteenth century labour history, with a particular emphasis on Dublin and Belfast, cities to which he had academic and personal attachments, and these interests are well reflected in this book. The history of labour in Ulster is especially well covered, as is that of Protestant workers throughout the island. The collection also includes substantial scholarly articles that reflect ongoing research and areas that have thus far been neglected, such as the place for casual labour in nineteenth century Ireland and the impact of religion on the Irish Labour Party, 1922-73. The range of topics is broad and includes an obituary essay on the Boyles and an interrogation of Irish historiography and the working class.
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|  | The Irish Factor 1899-1919
Ireland's Strategic and Diplomatic Importance for Foreign Powers
aan de Wiel, Jerome
Examines strategic and diplomatic issues concerning Ireland at the beginning of the 20th century, together with espionage, sabotage and propaganda operations of foreign powers trying to manipulate Ireland. Focussing on continental European powers such as Austria-Hungary, France, Germany and to a lesser extent Russia, the book is based on research in diplomatic and military archives notably in Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Vienna. The research unearthed many unknown documents which in turn produced some unexpected revelations. During the Boer War, the French envisaged a landing in Ireland to strike at Britain. They had also financed the activities of certain Irish nationalists. The Germans and the French battled in the United States in order to control the influential Irish-American community. The comparison of documents found in archives in London and Berlin shows that some British officials let the Easter Rising of 1916 deliberately happen, the aim being the decapitation of the Irish republican movement. The book also reveals the existence of hitherto relatively unknown characters which played their part in the course of Irish history. The correspondence between George Freeman in New York and Professor Theodor Schiemann in Berlin sheds lights on Germany's interest in Irish and Irish-American republican movements. France's diplomatic icons, Paul and Jules Cambon, became increasingly aware of the Irish world's threat after the signing of the Entente Cordiale in 1904.
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|  | The 'Tinkers' in Irish Literature
Unsettled Subjects and the Construction of Difference
Lanters, Jose
Irish travellers or 'tinkers' have appeared as characters in Irish literature since the early nineteenth century. Representations of this semi-nomadic cultural and ethnic minority in works by non-traveller authors almost invariably function in some way within the context of Irish identity politics, whereby the 'tinker' often serves as a 'primitive' Other to a modern, civilized Irish Self. This study considers the 'tinker' character in a large body of serious and popular literary texts, some well known, others rarely if ever discussed, and traces how the literary construct of the 'tinker' figure as domestic or foreign Other evolves over time. Three chapters concentrate on specific historical contexts, as the 'tinker' shifts from being a relatively straightforward scapegoat in the literature of the early nineteenth century, to being a more complex and ambiguous embodiment of both the aspirations and anxieties of the Anglo-Irish writers of the Revival, to being a barometer of aspects of modernity and regression in the mid-twentieth-century Irish Republic. Three further chapters focus on thematic contexts that have particular relevance for the development of the 'tinker' figure: children's literature from and about Ireland; fabulist narratives, particularly those with plot configurations derived from Celtic mythology; and crime and detective fiction set in Ireland. Finally the way in which individual travellers represent themselves in autobiographical narratives of the late twentieth century is considered, often in response to the fictional 'tinker' stereotype that has persisted in sedentary society and its cultural expressions for centuries.
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|  | A Guide To Irish Mythology
Smyth, Daragh
This guide, structured alphabetically with a helpful cross-reference system, allows the reader to delve into the ornate world of Irish mythology and its four cycles of tales: the Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle, the Fenian or Ossianic Cycle, and the Historical Cycle or Cycle of Kings. The characters associated with each of these cycles are vividly brought to life - heroes such as Cúchulainn, Oisín, Cormac mac Airt, Conchobar mac Nessa, Finn and the Fianna.
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|  | Great Irish Voices
Over 400 Years of Irish Oratory
Reid, Gerard
Amongst the multitude of speeches, sermons and addresses annually delivered by Irish men and women, only a few are permanently preserved. The remainder are forgotten. The main objective of this compilation is to bring together a selection of speeches, sermons and addresses from some of Irelandís greatest statesmen and women over the last 1,000 years. They are arranged in chronological order, with an introduction giving the background to each one. Brief biographical notes are also given on each speaker at the back of the book. The orations chosen are always interesting in themselves and many of them prove enlightening views of historical events. For example, Irelandís stance, both North and South during World War Two can be readily seen by reading Eamon de Valeraís, Lord Craigavonís and James Dillonís speeches at the time. The great speakers of the Irish past are represented with Grattan, Burke, OíConnell and Parnell each given considerable attention. The great Irish lawyers are also well represented with John Philpot Curranís speech at Archibald Hamilton Rowanís trial being the most notable. However, no compilation of Irish speeches would be complete without church sermons, Jonathan Swiftís being the highlight amongst them.
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| | We welcome manuscript proposals and ideas in all the subject areas outlined above and these can be directed to our Editor, Lisa Hyde: Lisa.hyde@vmbooks.com |
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