The Irish Review, No.14 (Summer 1993), Cork Univ. Press, 153pp.

Ed. Kevin Barry, Tom Dunne, Edna Lonley, Caoimhin Mac Giolla Leith, Clare O’Halloran, Brian Walker

CONTENTS

[Section:] Right of Reply

Lawrence J. McCaffrey, ‘The Catholic and Urban Profile of Irish America’, pp.1-9. Provides an insight into the conflicting viewpoints of contemporary historians regarding the response to the Irish immigrants in America, with American revisionist historians absolving prejudice from responsibility of Irish American failures, Audrey Lockhard’s study proving that the natives found the urban, Catholic Irish Americans irksome and David Miller and David Doyle’s supposition that one cannot make sweeping statements in either direction; concludes that it has been through the success of the Irish in politics, sports, business and entertainment, along with the increasing pluralist dimension in societies, that has allowed them complete acceptance as immigrants.

Catherine B. Shannon, ‘The Kennedys, Ireland and Irish America: A Healthy Intersection’, pp.10-14. Defends the Kennedys and Irish Americans from the sweeping accusations made by John H. Ahtes in his article in the Irish Review, no.11, regarding their attitudes and approach to the Irish conflict; states that Senator Edward Kennedy is constantly informed as to the political position in Northern Ireland and making serious efforts to find a resolution, providing economic aid toward infrastructural development and job creation and encouraging town twining ventures; refutes Ahte’s declaration that Irish Americans care little for the Northern Ireland crisis, putting forth Sean Cronin’s book Washington’s Irish Policy and Adrien Guelke’s Northern Ireland: The International Perspective as truthfully representative.

Andrew Hadfield, ‘Rocking the Boat: A Response to Hiram Morgan’, pp.15-19. Proffers a critical analysis of Morgan’s article on historiography of Early Modern Ireland, applauding his balanced and adept study although finding it somewhat selective in areas of propaganda, Irish paganism and the issue of colonisation; believes Morgan achieves only a two dimensional perspective as a result of separating historical fact from historically narrated fiction; promotes a deeper, inclusive examination instead of generalisations.

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Tim Robinson, ‘Listening to the Landscape’, pp.21-32. Reminisces on his earliest experiences of the Irish language when he first moved to the Aran Islands in the 1970’s; offers interpretations of Irish placenames, based on their possible origin, localisation and implication as well as their evolution over time and perhaps, anglicisation; believes the ‘mapping’ of the Irish language landscape will play a significant role in future historiography.

Cathal Ó Hainle, ‘Ceo Meala: An Craoibhin Agus Na hAmhrain Ghra’, pp.33-47 [as Gaeilge].

Breandan Ó Buachalla, ‘In a Hovel by the Sea’, pp.48-55 [as Gaeilge].

Michael Cronin, ‘Movie-Shows From Babel: Translation and the Irish Language’, pp.56-64. Ruminates on the role of translation in literary theory, particularly the effects of translation on Ireland; notes the advantages of what can be learnt from another language as well as the exposure to a wider audience and contrasts this with the problematic fluency of translation, which we receive from writers like Paul Muldoon and John Montague, and the writers against translation such as Biddy Jenkinson; probes the possibility of risidual guilt and scarring in Ireland, reflected in translation, implying that an investigation of translation would lead us closer to self-understanding.

Siobhan Ní Laoire, ‘Traditions of Spoken Language Study in Ireland’, pp.65-73. Discusses the various research methods undertaken when investigating language patterns and relative changes in attitudes toward identity and cultural heritage; outlines the tradition of linguistic studies, attentive to the complex milieu of Irish and English; theorises on the impact of dialect, the historical aspect and intergenerational variations, on official language policies while also questioning the influence of pedagogy and revivals.

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Donal Flynn, ‘Irish in the School Curriculum: A Matter of Politics’, pp.74-80. Debates the position of Irish, either educational or political, on the school curriculum, highlighting the intention of the government to develope an ethnic image, by means of a cultural revival, irrespective of the cost, economically, educationally and socially; sketches the overall effects of the language/cultural revival on the Irish people, noting the benefits to the few directly involved but at the expense of the nation’s self-respect; regrets the poor decision making of the governments, who have ignored the wishes of the people, implemented a politically driven curriculum for their children and ultimately, evaded reality, in the name of their political agenda.

Pól Ó Muiri, ‘Irish in Belfast’, pp.81-87. Delineates the resurgence of the Irish language in Belfast since the 1970’s, providing a brief history of the Irish language movement, the establishment of urban Gaeltacht schools, the abrasive attitudes of the authorities and the linking of the language to the republican political agenda; congratulates the achievements of the movement, primarily for restoring some semblance of pride in the Irish people and castigates the various constituencies who have attacked the language on political grounds and the media for representing Irish as a political weapon.

Bruce Stewart, ‘Anglo-Irish Literature’, moryah, pp.88-93. Considers the evolution of modern Irish culture by means of tracing the alternating appellations of ‘Anglo-Irish’ literature, marking the changing forms of nationalisms from ‘Celtic’ to ‘Gaelic’ and now ‘Irish’ along with associated definitions of the people, the language and the territory of that literature; focuses on the ‘battle’ between the Irish and English languages in Ireland encompassing the influences of culture, history, ethnicity and national identity; argues for less political simplification of cultural history and a more realistic classification of modern Irish literature.

Carol Rumens, et al., ‘Anthologising the Archipelago’, [I] Carol Rumens, pp.94-99. Juxtaposes the editorial construction of The Faber Book of Contemporary Irish Poetry, The Penguin Book of Contemporary Irish Poetry and The Penguin Book of Contemporary British Poetry, illustrating the context within which both British and Irish poetry is placed; draws on the diverse and fresh selection in Penguin Irish, the internationalism of Penguin British and the works of Michael Longley to prove a possible fluency between Irish and English influences. [II] Patrick Crotty, pp.99-104. Criticises the production, selectivity and inconsistent bibliography of The Field Day Anthology, castigating Douglas Dunn’s conventional and cautious representation of the works of Hugh Mac Diarmid, Sydney Goodsir Smith and W.S. Graham and berating Declan Kiberd’s unbalanced, unfounded and inaccurate treatment of writers such as John Montague, Seamus Heaney, Thomas Kinsella and Desmond O’Grady; ultimately, a surprisingly careless publication.

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Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Three Poems: ‘An Mhuruch San Ospideal’; ‘Ruga De Chuid Na N-Amaiseach’; ‘Fleur-Du-Lit’, pp.105-07.

Ian Duhig, Two Poems: ‘Naught Availeth’; ‘A Basket of Dalmation Oysters’ (ded. Hubert Butler), pp.109-11.

Tom Garvin, ‘Tackling Poverty’, pp.113-15, review of Frederick W. Powell, The Politics of Irish Social Policy, 1600-1990 (Lewistown/Queenstown/Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press 1992). Salutes Powell’s well-researched general history of social policy, noting the book’s emphasis on the mid-nineteenth century politics on poverty in England and Ireland and the derth of coverage on Northern Ireland.

Maria Luddy, ‘A Sober Mathew’, pp.115-17, review of Colm Kerrigan, Father Mathew and the Irish Temperance Movement 1838-1849 (Cork: Cork Univ. Press 1992). Welcomes this study of the temperance movement which boasts a biographical sketch of Father Theobald Mathew, a study of the evolution of the movement, theories on drink related crime and the movement’s influence on Repeal.

Keith Jeffrey, ‘War and the Irish’, pp.117-20, review of Tom Johntone, Orange, Green and Khaki: the Story of the Irish Regiments in the Great War 1914-18 (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan 1992); Richard Doherty, The Sons of Ulster: Ulstermen at War from the Somme to Korea (Belfast: Appletree Press 1992); Colin Gunner, Front of the Line: Adventures with the Irish Brigade (Antrim: Greystone Books 1991); Peter Ross, All Valient Dust: An Irishman Abroad (Dublin: Lilliput Press 1992). Deems Johnstone’s book a useful directory compiled from material drawn from other historical units, memoirs and unpublished records though criticises his title which falsely implicates an identification of Protestantism with Orangeism; Reckons Doherty’s symposium of individual memoirs is worthy for offering personal perceptions of the meaning of war in terms of comradeship, loyalty and discipline; Gunner’s views of wartime experiences offers an insight into the ironic horror and attraction of war; Ross’s paradoxical presentation of his experiences in the war again deal with the life-enhancing aspects as well as the peril of fighting a war.

Richard Kirkland, ‘La Fatigue du Nord’, pp.120-23, review of Elmer Andrews (ed.), Contemporary Irish Poetry: A Collection of Critical Essays (London: Macmillan 1992); Frank Ormsby, ed., A Rage For Order: Poetry of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Belfast: Blackstaff Press 1992). Judges Andrew’s edition to be acclaimed yet predictable, noting particular worth in the essays by Michael AAllen, John Wilson Foster and Peter McDonald; Remarks on the haphazard and slightly dated depiction of the poet’s struggle with identity, community representation, violence and history which we encounter in Ormsby’s edition.

Liz Steiner-Scott, ‘Reviewing Women’s Studies’, pp.124-25, review of U.C.G. Women’s Studies Centre Review, Vol.I (Galway: Univ. College 1992). Laudates the high standard of this production which is based on a series of seminars set from 1988-90, covering topics such as women composers, marginality, art, history,women scientists and Irish society.

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Andrew Gailey, ‘Great Men, Little Hatreds’, pp.125-28, review of Frank Callanan, The Parnell Split, 1890-91 (Cork: Cork Univ. Press 1992). Regards this as a challenging investigation of the division in the Parnell government, incorporating the Parnell’s professional tactics, his raging temperament and his self-control as well as probing the characters of Tim Healy and Gladstone.

Briona Nic Dhiarmada, ‘Mianach an Phoic’, pp.129-36, review of Liam O Muirthile, Dialann Bothair (The Gallery Press 1992); Gabriel Rosenstoc, Oraisti (Clo Iar-Chonnachta); Cathal Poirteir, Tonnchrith Intinne (Coisceim 1992); Pol O Muiri, Faoi Scail na Riona (Coisceim); Ruaidhri O Tuathail, Le Duirling (Coisceim). As Gaeilge.

Greagóir Ó Duill, ‘Urscealta agus Scealta Ura’, pp.136-39, review of Seosamh Mac Grianna, Da mBiodh Ruball ar an Ean (Atha Cliath: An Gum 1992); Piaras Beaslai, Astronar (Atha Cliath: An Gum 1991); Padraig Standun, Ciocras (Indreabhan: Clo Iar-Chonnachta 1991); Ciaran O Coigligh, Duibhlinn (Indreabhan: Clo Iar-Chonachta 1991); Micheal O Brolachain, Ca bhFuil Tu Anois? (Atha Cliath: Coisceim); Lorcan S. O Trasaigh, Bas san Oirthear (Atha Cliath: Comhar). As Gaeilge.

Caoimhin Mac Giolla Leith, ‘Nua-Chritic na Gaeilge’, pp.139-43, review of Oghma 4, Seosamh O Murchu, Micheal O Cearuil agus Antain Mag Shamhrain (eag.) (1992); Gearoid Denvir, An Duine is Dual (Indreabhan: Clo Iar-Chonnachta 1991); Louis de Paor, Faoin mBlaoisc Bheag Sin (Atha Cliath: Coisceim 1991); Alan Titley, An tUrsceal Gaeilge (Atha Cliath An Clochomhar 1991); Maire Ni Annrachain, Aisling agus Toir: An Slanu i bhFiliocht Shomhairle MhicGill-Eain (Maigh Nua: An Sagart 1992). As Gaeilge.

Barra Ó Seaghdha, ‘The Tasks of the Translator’, pp.143-47, review of Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill and Paul Muldoon, The Astrakhan Cloak (Oldcastle: The Gallery Press 1992); Gearailt Mac Eoin agus Gabriel Rosenstock, eag. [ed.], Byzantium: Athghabhail ar Rogha Danta le William Butler Yeats (Indreabhan: Clo Iar-Chonnachta 1991); Francisco X. Alarcon, trans. Gabriel Rosenstock, Colainn ar Bharr Lasrach/Cuerpo en Llamas (Indreabhan: Clo Iar-Chonnachta 1992); Micheal O hAirtneide, Danta Naomh Eoin na Croise (Atha Cliath: Coisceim 1991). Considers the Ni Dhomhnaill/Muldoon’s translation as weak in comparison to Ni Dhomhnaill’s original best work; Denotes Byzantium as an interesting volumn of quality translations though wonders why the editors chose to translate Yeats in the first place; Appreciates the sensitivity and simplicity of Rosenbach’s translation of Alarcon while offering a brief introduction to the author himself; Applauds the admirable effort of O hAirtneide’s translations which succeeds in achieving near perfect tone and cadence.

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Eamon O Flaherty, ‘The Limits of Legislative Independence’, pp.148-51, review of James Kelly, Prelude to Union, Anglo-Irish politics in the 1780s (Cork: Cork Univ. Press 1992). Commends the broad scope and detailed treatmnt of Anglo-Irish politics in the five years following the establishment of legislative independence, paying particular attention to British attitudes to Irish politics, the politics of the Protestant elite and Grattan’s parliament.

James Kelly, ‘History Without Historiography’, pp. 151-53, review of Robert E. Burns, Irish parliamentary politics in the eighteenth century, Vol 1: 1714-30; Vol 2: 1730-60 (Washington: Catholic Univ. of America Press 1989-90). Commends Burn’s accounting of the fluctuating parliamentary politics during the period from 1714-1760, highlighting such events as the Annsley-Sherlock case, the Declaratory Act and the Banking dispute as well as providing informative accounts of the interrelationship of Irish politicians with Dublin Castle and indepth character studies of lord lieutenants and Anglican Primates such as Boulter and Stone, Lord Chancellor Midleton, and Archbishop King.

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