IHB Newsletter October 2023
A busy month in the Irish History Bookshop with lots of new titles coming out to appeal to all those interested in Irish History.
We also have another book launch coming up towards the end of the month and to mark Black History Month we are offering 10% off “Black and Irish” – a celebration of black identity which has just been published by Little Island.
New titles for October 2023
Featured Books
John Hume
by Stephen Walker
Stephen Walker, veteran journalist and former political correspondent with BBC Northern Ireland has written a landmark book exploring the life of John Hume. Based on interviews with Hume’s colleagues, critics and family members along with never-before-published interviews with Hume himself the text explores questions about who John Hume was, what motivated him, and how he managed to persuade the IRA to end its long running campaign. An important contribution to our knowledge of a key architect of the Good Friday Agreement and major figure in the history of Irish Politics.
Old Ireland in Colour 3
John Breslin & Sarah-Anne Buckley
The third instalment of the highly successful “Old Ireland in Colour” series, uncovers and revitalizes historical photographs in vibrant colour. This volume showcases a diverse range of Irish life, capturing moments from evictions in Clare to floods in Strabane and snapshots of working life in Dublin. The book features famous figures from politics and the arts, alongside everyday people from all corners of Ireland. Each image is filled with fascinating details and complemented by informative captions.
The Operations of the Irish House of Commons, 1613–48
Bríd McGrath
This new book by Brid McGrath, an acknowledged authority on early modern Irish parliaments and towns, provides a detailed operational account of the Irish House of Commons during the early Stuart period, a pivotal era in Ireland’s history. It looks at the establishment of parliamentary structures and operations that endured until the Act of Union. The book describes the structures, powers, personnel, culture and operations of the lower house of the Irish parliament and examines how the parliament evolved under the governance of Lord Deputies Arthur Chichester and Thomas Wentworth and during the period of the Confederation of Kilkenny.
Black History Month
10% off Black and Irish
A landmark publication in Irish History from Little Island
Christmas... 'tis getting earlier every year.
Although still several months away the publishers are already gearing up for the Christmas season. This month we feature three new titles – the first is about the Christmas traditions in an Irish island community, the second is a new book by Myles Dungan for children and finally there is a history of the Sam Maguire for sports fans.
An Island Christmas – Nollaig Oileanach’
Micheal O Conghaile
“An Island Christmas – Nollaig Oileanach” by celebrated Irish author Micheal O Conghaile is a nostalgic journey into childhood memories of Christmas on the now-deserted island of Connemara’s Inis Treabhair. The memoir goes beyond the holiday season, intertwining stories of Christmas joys with broader memories of friendships, and the vibrant personalities of the island community. The author recalls the unique traditions and customs of his island upbringing in the 1960s and 70s offering readers a captivating social history of the period.
The book also gives an inspiring insight into the life of an enthusiastic artist and driving force behind the revival of Irish language writing and publishing, tracing O Conghaile’s journey from a young boy with a typewriter to the founder of the renowned publishing house, Clo Iar-Chonnacht. Translated from the Irish by Micheal O hAodha.
The Forgettables : Remarkable Irish People (and Animals) you’ve Never Heard of
by Myles Dungan
This new book for children celebrates lesser-known Irish figures who’ve made significant contributions across diverse fields, from astronomy to zoology. Notable individuals include Valentine Greatrakes, a 17th-century healer, Miler McGrath, a controversial bishop, and Paddy the Pigeon, a WWII messenger. Be inspired by their stories and maybe one day, you can be forgettable too!
Chasing Sam Maguire : The All-Ireland Football Championship 1928-1977
by Dermot Reilly (Author) , Colm Keys
This book commemorates the first fifty years of the Sam Maguire. Since its inception in 1928, it has become a cherished symbol in Irish sport. Dermot Reilly and Colm Keys provide thrilling accounts of each final and player details. A captivating read for GAA enthusiasts, “Chasing Sam Maguire” explores the highs and lows of pursuing Ireland’s premier sporting honour.
A History of Ireland in 100 Episodes: Ancient, Medieval and Modern Ireland
Jonathan Bardon
“A History of Ireland in 100 Episodes” spans Ireland’s entire history, from the Ice Age to the Peace Process, in 100 concise episodes. The author weaves together cultural, literary, political, and social aspects, making it an authoritative yet succinct resource for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of Ireland’s history. Each episode, designed for quick reading, offers a snippet of Irish history, and reading them sequentially forms a complete history of Ireland.
Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place
Martin Doyle
Martin Doyle, Books Editor of The Irish Times, offers a personal and intimate history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, focusing on a single rural parish. He shares the stories of neighbours and classmates affected by the conflict and skilfully shows how the once dominant local linen industry serves as a metaphor for communal division but also for the solidarity that transcended the sectarian divide.
Visitors to the Country House in Ireland and Britain: Welcome and Unwelcome
Terence Dooley and Christopher Ridgeway
Country houses have long drawn visitors, from social elites to royalty. The advent of railways and cars led to mass visits and the modern heritage industry. This book delves into the diverse range of visitors, including unwelcome ones like looters and revolutionaries, and how they documented their experiences, be it through sketches, journals, fiction, or photography.
Irish Follies and Whimsical Architecture
George Munday
Photographer George Munday explores Ireland’s eccentric and picturesque follies in this book. These unique structures adorn the Irish landscape. Munday’s stunning photos accompany the intriguing tales behind these eye-catching landmarks.
Magnates and Merchants in Early Modern Kilkenny
Jane Fenlon & Sarah Maguire
This book considers Kilkenny’s growth and prosperity from c1200. It highlights the merchant elite’s pivotal role in the town’s development, connecting it to European humanist trends. The essays cover a wide time span and explore various aspects of urban life, including wealth, art patronage, houses, and social networks.
Moygara Castle, County Sligo and the O’Gara’s of Coolavin
Kieran O’Conor, editor
Moygara Castle is one of the most impressive masonry-built monuments in north Connacht. Constructed in the late fourteenth/early fifteenth century by the O’Garas, the castle functioned as a centre of their lordship of Coolavin.
This study of Moygara Castle marshals various fields of expertise – history, archaeology, architecture, geography, genealogy, geophysical survey and DNA analysis – to provide much-needed information about life in later-medieval Gaelic Ireland.