12 REVIEWS THE IRISH VOICE DECEMBER 2015 “Transporting the Irish Diaspora for over 50 years” Irish rebels’ lives make for good Christmas reads eve of the 1916 centenary review of Coogan's shocking and historian to review a book about celebrations. have described it as ‘scathing,’ 100 years of Irish history, then The row broke out between and ‘vituperative.’ Ferriter called that is the focus of the review... Ferriter—Professor of Modern Coogan’s book ‘truly dreadful’ People are trying to make out Regular CrossCross Channel Service fromfrom Irish History at UCD—and and claimed that Coogan is ‘not there is some sort of personal Coogan, author of 1916: The remotely interested in looking grudge or history between us, (Buchanan(Buchanan Mornings After, which has been at what others have written on but that is just not true. Glasgow to Bus station) published in time to catch the 20th-century Irish history,’ “Mr Coogan wrote two critical Christmas book market, after before describing parts of the reviews of the Judging Dev book, Ferriter rubbished the Coogan book as ‘many other varieties of which, in my view, were fuelled Derry & book on the grounds that the codswallop.’ by his personal antipathy to de grizzled newspaper veteran has After plunging the dagger in Valera and because my book dared got his chronology wrong in though, Ferriter attempts to to challenge the conclusions of relation to the dates of a number staunch the blood by describing his own biography of de Valera.” of important events. the colourful Coogan as ‘a decent He added: “Tim Pat Coogan And that Coogan—who was compassionate man’ before has obviously been writing for a once editor of the Éamon De coming to the conclusion that long time and he is a very popular Valera family-owned Irish Press the journalist’s book is ‘a travesty author, but I was asked to review —is biased whenever he writes of 20th-century Irish history.’ the book and this is about calling Tel: +353(0)74 9135201 www.johnmcginley.com 1916: THE MORNINGS about the Irish Civil War and the Both authors attended the him to account about his AFTER legacy of its chief protagonist, Irish Book Awards as the row methodology and his history By Tim Pat Coogan Éamon de Valera. went on, although they did not writing... that is what I do. Head of Zeus Publishing Ferriter, the prolific author of meet up. When asked for his “He vigorously promotes £8.99 Judging Dev, wrote a scathing reaction to the review, Coogan, himself as Ireland’s best-known review Coogan’s latest book in as is his trademark, had a crisp, historical writer and he has very IRELAND’S most popular the Irish Times, to which he is a colourful quote for reporters: “It strong views, he doesn’t agree author of history books regular contributor. The clash took is dust beneath the chariot wheels. with me and I don’t agree with amongst the Irish diaspora on all the appearances of the It was just a piece of scurrility, him. That is not personal.” in Scotland, the legendary Civil War itself, with Ferriter, the which is best ignored.” An almost certain outcome Tim Pat Coogan, has found academic historian, supporting Ferriter was unrepentant. “The of this bitter exchange is that himself on the receiving end Dev, and Coogan, the popular review was based entirely on Coogan’s book is almost certain of a bitter attack by a leading historical author, in the colours content, research and evidence, to reach the Irish best-sellers list academic, Professor of Michael Collins. which I think is entirely sensible,” this Christmas. Diarmaid Ferriter, on the But many found Ferriter’s he said. “If you are asking a BILL HEANEY

Street, standing with his arms remarkable activities, dispelling O’Connor demonstrates also aloft as if in mid-speech, misconceptions and myths that how it was Larkin, not addressing passing pedestrians. surround the figure of ‘Big Connolly, who made Socialist Cruit Island But, how much do we really Jim’ and his career, which Republicanism a force in the know about this complicated, spanned close to half a century. Labour movement and who compelling and often divisive Larkin’s life was shaped by his revived the Citizen Army after Golf Club figure, forever linked with the personality. His greatest assets the Lockout, giving it a 1913 Lockout and the formation were his oratory, vision, and an Republican constitution. 100,000 welcomes await you at Cruit Island of the modern Irish Labour almost superhuman energy. The Larkin’s time in the USA is movement? bane of his life was his jealousy, given unprecendented attention Golf Club on the edge of the Atlantic ocean. Leading Labour historian which prevented him from by O’Connor, as the agitator Emmet O’Connor tries to developing any organisation ostensibly sought to raise union Special Rates for Life Membership now on offer. address that in his new work beyond his immediate control. funds, but ultimately worked as Big Jim Larkin: Hero or Wrecker? O’Connor reveals Larkin’s a secret agent for the Germans. which paints a more complete initial scepticism towards He sought to turn the Socialist picture of the powerful orator unionism and his first forays as Party of America into a Cruit Island Golf Club, and brilliant activist who was a an agitator in organisng the Communist party, while Irish- Cruit Island, , Donegal deeply private person, who kept succesful Belfast dockers strike, American Republicans in turn 00 353 (0) 74 954 3296 his ambitions and personal which saw RIC police officers were plotting to assasinate him BIG JIM LARKIN: HERO demons behind a veil of silence. mutiny and join forces with the and send a double back to www.cruitislandgolfclub.com OR WRECKER? O’Connor’s extensive research strikers. Larkin’s complex Ireland. He was arrested for By Emmet O’Connor has unearthed material from relationship with ITGWU ‘criminal anarchy’ in 1920— University College Dublin newly uncovered police records, which he proudly founded, but interestingly his wife refused to Press FBI files and the archives of failed to administer properly, is petition for his release—and J £42.50 the Communist International in explored as is the organisation’s Edgar Hoover falsified evidence Moscow, in order to go beyond pivotal actions—in particular, to get him deported. WHENEVER we visit the public figure of heroism to the 1913 Lockout. Similarly, O’Connor is Dublin, we all want our explore the hidden side of a The suprising rivalry—indeed unstinting in his examination of DONEGAL—GLASGOW—DONEGAL photo taken with him. For very private person. antipathy—between Connolly Larkin’s later years, his radicalism, Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday (June-October) many of us, our impression This is the first book to and Larkin is explained and republicanism, the ‘Civil War’ Wednesday-Saturday (October-June) of Big Jim Larkin is best cover James Larkin’s life in exemplifies the egocentric in Labour and his alienation EXTRA DAYS ADDED FOR HOLIDAY PERIODS mirrored by the wonderful depth and reveals a huge nature, which the Lockout from many former allies. BILL HEANEY PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF POINTS statue of him on O’Connell amount of new insight into his would push toward egomania. GLASGOW—CAIRNRYAN—GLASGOW Buchanan Bus Station (Stand No55)—Gorbals (Bedford Street) Caulder Street (Health Center)—Shawlands(Opposite Iceland) Eastwood Toll—Newton Mearns—Monkton Lodge—Ayr Roundabout—Girvan LARNE—DONEGAL—LARNE Larne Harbour—Toombridge—Maghera—Dungiven— Claudy—Strabane—— Derry—— Bridgend—Newton/ Manor——Donegal Town —— — GREAT WESTERN GATEWAY Fares from: £50 Single per Adult/£35 per Child (4yrs-14yrs)/Under 4yrs Free CLEW BAY HOTEL IN THE HEART OF WESTPORT Booking is essential on this service as times are subject to change. For detailed times and pick-ups please call or email ON THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY DOHERTY’S COACHES GIFT IDEA WITH A DIFFERENCE Donegal: 00353 74 9521105 - Glasgow: 0044 78706 28699 Email: [email protected] Cycle Ireland’s only off-road greenway from MAIN STREET—DUNGLOE——IRELAND Achill Island to Westport. Midweek 2BB & bike hire €99pps Valid unil May 31, 2016 FIND US ONLINE To order your voucher call today on: 00 353 98 28088 WEBSITE www.theirishvoice.com The Clew Bay Hotel is a family FACEBOOK owned and managed hotel, www.facebook.com/theirishvoice offering a genuine warm TWITTER welcome in the heart of www.twitter.com/theirishvoiceuk Westport town.

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