Eunan O'Halpin Knihy

Focusing on the tumultuous years of the Irish revolution from 1916 to 1921, this comprehensive account meticulously catalogs the deaths of individuals during this pivotal period. Authors Eunan O’Halpin and Daithí Ó Corráin detail the circumstances surrounding 505 deaths in 1916 and 2,344 between 1917 and 1921, offering insight into the impact of the conflict on civilians and combatants alike. This authoritative work serves as an essential reference, providing a profound understanding of the human cost of the struggle for Irish independence.

The book delves into the complexities of Irish neutrality during World War II and its impact on British security. It highlights how British intelligence agencies recognized and tackled the challenges posed by this neutrality, emphasizing the crucial roles of espionage and inter-agency collaboration. Through this lens, the author reveals the broader implications for the evolving relationship between Ireland and Britain during a tumultuous period in history.

Focusing on the evolution of domestic security and national defense in Ireland, this study examines the growth of the Irish army and police since 1922. It highlights the interconnected challenges faced by these institutions and their impact on the country's stability and governance. Through comprehensive analysis, the book sheds light on the historical context and the complex relationship between military and civil forces in Ireland.

On 1 November 1920, eighteen-year-old UCD medical student Kevin Barry was hanged in Mountjoy Jail for his role in an IRA raid that killed a British soldier. The reaction to his execution was incensed and international, and to this day, he remains a vibrant icon of patriotic, idealistic death, his name synonymous with youthful republican sacrifice. The persistence of his memory is singular, not only within Irish republicanism but also in the wider world. Eunan O'Halpin, esteemed historian and grand-nephew of Kevin Barry, explores his ancestor's short but significant life, the dynamics of growing up with 'a martyr in the family', and why Barry's name has continued to resonate in Ireland and beyond. O'Halpin examines Barry's ideological formation and the impact of his religious education, and challenges common misconceptions about educated, privileged men who were just as willing as rural Volunteers to do what they saw as their duty. Indeed, Barry's life in the IRA in Carlow and Dublin was a surprisingly active one, despite his age, and his story tells us a great deal about the young men who joined the IRA to fight against British rule, and later each other, and the families left beh