Good books on irish history

[Spirit]

I´d like to get some recommendations from the members of the board.
Thank you in advance.

[Risby]

If you're interested in the 1981 hunger strikes I would recommend David Beresford's "Ten Men Dead". It's a pretty gripping account of the hunger strikes with lots of smuggled comms from Bik McFarlane to Gerry Adams on the outside of Long Kesh etc. Really good book...

[Nijinsky]

A history of the Irish Working Class - P Beresford Ellis

Liam Mellows and the Irish Revolution - C Desmond Greaves

The Life and Times of James Connolly - C Desmond Greaves

The Singing Flame - Ernie O Malley

On another mans wound - Ernie O Malley

No Other Law - Florence O Donoghue

Forgotten Revolution: The Limerick Soviet 1919 - Liam Cahill

The Orange State - Michael Farrell

[nico]

Just finnished reading My fight for Irish freedom by Dan Breen.The book describes graphically what life was like for Dan and his comrades on the run,after they renewed the fight,begun in 1916 to drive the brits out of ireland.

[robertemmett]

for texts on irish history....

FSL Lyons.."ireland since the famine"
Russell Rees "ireland 1905-25"
on the detail of the partition.... "The Partition of Ireland" by Michael Laffan

for a good insight into the war of independence and civil war "the Irish Republic" by Dorothy Mcardle. this book is quite pro de valera but it was written in the early 1930s but it is very expensive (£50new) and hard to find.. but well worth it. most modern historians will use mcardle's book in writting their own as the level of detail in it is superb

[eghzarw]

Nor Meekly Serve My Time: The H-block Struggle 1976 - 1981
by Brian Campbell, Laurence McKeown, Felim O'Hagan.

[David]

The Green Flag by Robert Kee. A great account of the history of Irish nationalism from the 18th century to today, a great plus is that each chapter deals with a specific topic in chronological order so that you can pick certain topics, e.g. Smith O´Brien, United Irishmen and so on.

[FenianRam48]

For those in the Louth area or who would just like to know about the smaller aspects of the War of Independence, I highly recommend The Royal Irish Constabulary and the Black and Tans in County Louth 1919-1922 by Stephen O'Donnell. A very well researched book that is great to follow after reading The Black and Tans by Richard Bennett.

[public sector]

SAS in Ireland by Fr raymond murray great insight into brit terrorism.

[Cúchulainn]

"A History of Ulster" - Jonathan Bardon (ESSENTIAL)
"UVF: The Endgame" - Jim Cusack/Henry McDonald (jnteresting insights into the most feared loyalist terror group)
"A Secret History of the IRA" - Ed Moloney (reading it at the moment. Focuses on the Provisional IRA and in particular Gerry Adams)

[KillinSnakes]

A History of the Irish Working Class was already mentioned, but I'd second that :eusa_clap:

On Another Man's Wound by Ernie O'Malley is a great history of the Tan War

A Secret History of the IRA is quite good, but also a tad too conspiracist and is weakened by its journalistic style.

The New Politics of Sinn Féin by Bean looks to be an insightful social history of the Troubles and SF's transition into the establishment.

[Patrick Henry]

A Secret History of the IRA by Ed Moloney.
A Very British Jihad by Paul Larkin...reading it at the moment.

[KillinSnakes]

A Very British Jihad by Paul Larkin...reading it at the moment.

So it's pretty good? Was wanting to get that one.

[georgina]

I thought 'To hell or Barbados - The ethnic cleansing of Ireland' by Sean O'Callaghan was good

[Patrick Henry]

So it's pretty good? Was wanting to get that one.

It gives you an insight how wide spread collusion was. From the DUP's connection with Loyalist paramilitary groups since the 60s right up to their 'friendship' with Billy Wright. MI5, Special Branch, the whole lot get a mention.
Get it at your local library they should have a copy if not they'll order it for you.

[Jim]

i personally find books about the modern campaign terribly depressing considering how much was suffered and lost.

i find the writings of pearse to be a good read in so far as to get an insight into his thinking at the time and lessons for us all to learn in the future.

[[eire]Dominic]

Armed Struggle by Richard English, very indepth.