|
Irish Emigrant Book Review, No.89 (Dec 2002)
Arrows in Flight ed. Caroline
Walsh
- That the short story, the literary form particularly associated with
Irish writing, is alive and well in the 21st century is amply illustrated
by this collection edited and introduced by Caroline Walsh, a collection
including works from seasoned short story writers Molly McCloskey and
Eilis Ni Dhuibhne and poet and playwright Aidan Matthews. All eleven authors
are previously published and many have won or have been shortlisted for
major literary prizes. A theme running through many of the stories contrasts
the certainties of childhood with the free fall of maturity when decisions
are required and responsibility must be taken. In “These Important Messages”
Blanaid McKinney’s Matt is faced with a life-changing decision and expresses
this fear; “the notion that the rest of my life might actually belong
to me, is the most terrifying, loneliest thought I’ve had all day”. In
“Maps” John McKenna puts this desire to return to the security of the
home into the mouth of the man describing his visits home to his father.
His list of what draws him back to his family home includes “the worn
feel of the green paint on the banisters” and he concludes with the admission
that he goes home for comfort. Tom Humphries’ “Australia Day” takes a
jaundiced view of the ’prettification’ of Ireland’s towns and villages
which has seen “flaky paint slapped on the narrow streets like make-up
on a decaying trollop”. Humphries has nicely caught the type of Dublin
weekender who discovers such out of the way places, and the reaction such
visitors draw forth from the proprietor of the Boomerang bar has produced
an entertaining story with an ironic twist. One story with particular
appeal is Mary Morrissey’s “Gracefully, Not Too Fast”, in which pride,
resentment and guilt play equal parts in determining the direction of
a young teacher’s career. Other names included in these well chosen examples
of the art of the short story are Sean O’Reilly, Clare Keegan, Joseph
O’Neill and Keith Ridgeway.
[ top ]
A Secret History of the IRA
by Ed Molon....Review by John McAvoy
- The author’s dedication is “to all the people who lost their lives
in the Northern Ireland Troubles.” Unfortunately, reading the book brings
to mind the question of what those thousands of people died for. The situation
in Northern Ireland seems little different from that which obtained more
than 30 years ago. The communities are still as far apart as ever and
the politicians on all sides continue to reflect that division. Moloney’s
title for this interesting book may be slightly misleading; it would appear
to be more of a history of the secret role of Mr Gerry Adams in gaining
control of that organisation and then leading it in his chosen direction.
Starting as a hard-line IRA activist (although apparently one who never
actually participated in the violence and killing himself) Adams is shown
as a most devious political operator. He used an extreme stance to oust
the former leadership of the IRA/Sinn Fein, accusing them of straying
from the true republican path. Then, when he had assumed the leadership
himself, he embarked on a long-term strategy to achieve what appears to
be little different from the aims of those whom he had overthrown. Moloney
obviously has excellent sources of information and his story is very convincing.
He appears to be able to steer a difficult course between admiration for
Adams’ political skill and distaste for the methods employed. His professional
journalist’s training is very evident; he can report without casting judgement.
This book would make interesting reading for some of Adam’s uncritical
supporters. It is perfectly clear that he is prepared (like some other
politicians) to jettison both principles and friends whenever that might
suit his personal ends. That in itself might convince some that he is
just another astute politician on the make. However in such matters logic
is seldom a means of convincing the “true” believers. The book does require
some knowledge of the history of the Troubles, since it does not deal
with the history in a strictly chronological order. It is probably impossible
to do that and Moloney has done a very creditable service in presenting
his story in a readable and clear way. He draws pertinent pen-portraits
of the main personalities. This book can certainly be recommended.
[ top ]
Ingenious Ireland by Mary Mulvihill
- Although this is a county by county tour of Ireland, it in no way
resembles the books which extol the popular tourist sights around the
country. Mary Mulvihill, a science writer, has concentrated on items which
will have appeal to people living in Ireland, who may be unaware of many
of the accomplishments of their compatriots, as much as to those visiting
the country. What first strikes the reader is the number of objects used
in the modern world which were invented by Irishmen. For example the first
hypodermic syringe came about in the nineteenth century through the actions
of a Dublin doctor, Francis Rynd, in placing morphine under the skin of
a woman in severe pain. Other firsts recorded include John Holland’s submarine,
the first guided missile, devised by Louis Brennan from Castlebar and
the first use of limelight in Inishowen, Co. Donegal during the Ordnance
Survey of Ireland carried out in 1825. Ms Mulvihill’s coverage of Blarney
makes no mention of the castle but tells us instead of the forges and
mills that were built from the 18th century onwards to take advantage
of the twenty-metre drop of the Blarney river between Coolowen and Monard.
Similarly, the notes on Clonmacnois in Co. Offaly concentrate on the geology
rather than the history of the area, telling us that the monastery’s foundation
was located at the spot where the River Shannon crossed the Eiscir Riada,
one of the country’s main highways. The numerous Irish scientists of note,
both male and female, the unusual flora and fauna of each county, relics
of industrial archaeology and evidence of plant and animal life from prehistory
are presented in short sections which make for easy assimilation. Also
included is a helpful cross-reference guide, while indication is given
as to the site’s position on the map of the area which precedes each chapter.
The light touch to Ms Mulvihill’s writing is evidenced in some of the
sub-headings; the section on the Newry Canal is entitled “1741 - barging
uphill” while a chapter on Sir Peter Freyer, a Co. Galway-born surgeon,
is headed “Prince of the prostate”. This is a book full of fascinating
facts about Ireland, with black and white illustrations and a comprehensive
index that ensure ease of use.
[ top ]
Caiseal Na Gcorr by Cathal O
Searciagh and Jan Voster
- Jan Voster’s evocative black and white photographs, accompanied by
the lyrical text of poet Cathal O Searcaigh, have produced a wonderful
volume which speaks of a way of life fast disappearing. Adhering to monochrome
illustrations underlines the past which the photographs of O Searcaigh’s
home place in west Donegal have conjured up, and equally effective is
the question and answer format of the narrative, giving the poet the opportunity
to expand on the people and places dear to him. Of Caiseal na gCorr itself
he says it is “a place where I try to bring the past into the present
so there will be a future for that past”, and this is indeed the theme
of many of the sentiments he expresses through prose and poetry. Like
many countrymen, he knows the name of every field in every townland, the
stories associated with many of the ruined houses, and the people who
have shared his heritage under the shadow of Errigal.
[ top ]
Philip Brennan’s Clare by Philip
Brennan
- Cormac MacConnell wrote about this book a few weeks ago, extolling
its virtues, and was adamant that I would also be very impressed. On this
occasion he is right, this is an outstanding collection of the paintings
of Philip Brennan accompanied by his own text, the whole breathing the
very spirit of the county. In some instances Brennan has drawn on the
works of others to accompany his paintings, notably two poems by Moya
Cannon, “Eagles’ Rock” and “Thirst in the Burren”. The paintings are in
a variety of media, a key to which is given, and they range from the vibrant
colours of The Glen in Ennistymon to the sepia portrait of John Lyons
and Pat Mullins, a painting accompanied by Brennan’s own poem, “Tobartaoscan”.
The title perfectly sums up this delightful book, it is the Clare known
and loved by the author.
[ top ]
The Dublin Review ed. Brendan
Barrington
- This ninth edition of the quarterly literary publication includes
an interesting and topical view of Roy Keane and the Saipan affair by
poet Conor O’Callaghan and a thoughtful critique of Peter Mullan’s film
“The Magdalene Sisters” by Tom Dunne. A previously unpublished essay from
Hubert Butler concerning the period he spent teaching in Russia also features,
as does a short story, “Girl in a Yellow T-Shirt” by David Woelfel. Other
contributors include Selina Guinness on George Yeats, George O’Brien writing
about growing up in Waterford, a look at the way in which the lives of
George Moore and Michael Davitt overlapped by Adrian Frazier and Michael
Cronin’s reminiscences on telephones of the past.
[ top ]
Superchick by Stephen J. Martin
- Stephen Martin’s first novel, set in Dublin and dealing with members
of a band, has echoes of Roddy Doyle but is not derivative. Bandleader
Jimmy sets out on a quest to find the perfect woman, and persuades his
friends Marco, Norman and Aesop to follow suit. Capturing the essence
of life in Dublin for a group of youngish men, some still living at home
with parents, the author has created a cast of nicely contrasted characters
and has introduced a maverick note with the inclusion of Tsujita, a Chinese
computer expert working in Dublin. The pursuit of the eponymous Superchick
while also in pursuit of musical fame brings the group through a series
of encounters where hope and hilarity converge. What might have been a
fairly pedestrian novel is in fact a highly amusing one that caused this
reader to laugh out loud on a number of occasions. For a sample see the
chapter in which the band appears on TG4 and the efforts of Aesop to answer
questions using the first official language. Conversely it is this topic
which introduces the only jarring note into the narrative, when the author
puts forward his own views of the teaching of Irish, but does not achieve
the interjection seamlessly. Nonetheless this is a book that successfully
combines serious questions about life leavened with an eye for the ridiculous.
[ top ]
Death in December by Michael
Sheridan
- The murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork in December
1996 has never been solved and although this book gives an insight into
the murdered woman and the area in which she lived it goes little further
in throwing light on the subject. Michael Sheridan wrote the book with
the co-operation of the victim’s family, both her husband and her parents,
and it does serve to place Sophie in the context of her life in France
and at Dunmanus Bay. In this way it is a tribute and a memorial to Sophie
as much as a chronicle of a terrible crime. The facts of the case are
set out, the subsequent inquiry into the original investigation (which
was found to have been conducted in accordance with accepted procedure)
is noted, and biographical details of the murdered woman are supplied.
Also included is a fictionalised reconstruction which fits in with the
known facts but points up the difficulty faced by the local residents
- no one has been charged with the murder and they must live with the
knowledge that he or she might well still be living among them. What Michael
Sheridan’s book does achieve is to keep the case in the public eye and
it is entirely possible that the reading of it by a wide audience might
lead to further developments.
[ top ]
The New Neighbourhood of Dublin
by Joseph Hone, Maurice Craig & Michael Fewer
- The history of this book is almost as interesting as the book itself.
In 1776 was published the “Post-Chaise Companion Through Ireland”, and
almost two hundred years later Maurice Craig was asked by Joseph Hone
to collaborate with him on a book which would bring the earlier edition
up to date, but covering a much smaller area. At the time of the 1949
project Joseph Hone was President of the Irish Academy of Letters. However
the work was never published and now Maurice Craig has entered another
collaboration, with architect Michael Fewer, to compare the routes travelled
in 1949 with those of today. There are twenty-four routes in all, radiating
out from the centre of Dublin and on each the differences wrought over
the intervening fifty-three years are noted. Taking as an example Route
15B which takes us from Rathfarnham to St Columba’s College, a description
is given of landmarks along the way such as the Moravian cemetery and
Whitechurch Lodge as seen in the 1949 survey. On the facing page the authors
note the changes over the intervening years; of the “two old houses” mentioned
in the narrative, only one remains, the house named “Kingston” being demolished
thirty years ago to make way for a housing estate. Most of the facing
pages also feature a map or an illustration, sometimes both, helping the
reader to orientate him or herself and to see the changing face of Dublin
in the absence or alteration of buildings of note. This is a book which
will particularly appeal to those with a knowledge of Dublin, but the
historical anecdotes interspersed in the more geographical directions
widen its appeal significantly.
[ top ]
Irish Literary Magazines by
Tom Clyde
- In his far-ranging study of the magazine as a literary form, Tom
Clyde, editor for the past ten years of “The Honest Ulsterman”, covers
a period of some three hundred years, writing a short overview of magazines
from the 18th century to the 1980s. Following this are the descriptive
bibliographies and among the magazines covered are The Bell, which the
author says is “one of the finest literary magazines this country has
produced”; The Irish Homestead, “A weekly newspaper for farmyard, field
and fireside”; and “Agatha: A Magazine of Social Reform and General Literature”
which was apparently promoting the Temperance movement. Each magazine
is placed in its historical context with details of dates published, editors’
names, and the number of editions, and the author gives his opinion of
its worth (he describes how the literary content of a 1920s publication,
“Banba”, “veers rapidly downmarket into low populism”). This is an extremely
effective reference book which demonstrates the amazing range and diversity
of Irish literary magazines.
[ top ]
Out of the Flames by Vincent
McDonnell
- The colliding worlds of the refugee and the Irish is given a new
twist by Vincent McDonnell in this book for teenagers, since the main
character, Maria, has an Irish mother and an African father. We are introduced
to her as her mother is brutally murdered in their African garden and
we follow her as she is smuggled out of the country to join a group of
refugees living in a hostel in rural Ireland. Here the differing attitudes
to refugees and asylum-seekers are carefully set out by the author, so
that we see some people’s desire to welcome them alongside the naked racism
of an opposing group. Caught in the middle is David O’Brien, whose family
has troubles of its own partly engendered by his father’s relationship
with Benjamin, one of the asylum-seekers. And it is through Benjamin that
McDonnell defines those who offer the most support: “A friend of ours
is anyone who hates injustice. . . . The people who bake apple pies, who
give us their cast-off clothes - they are being charitable. But they are
not our friends”. At a time when Ireland is experiencing increasing diversity
the author has given an insight into the problems experienced by strangers
while at the same time providing an adventure story with believable characters.
[ top ]
In so Many Words by Con Houlihan
- This is a collection of the writings of Kerryman Con Houlihan who
was a regular columnist with the Press group of newspapers and also for
the Sunday World. His twin passions are sport and literature and the essays
reflect these, with a few other topics thrown in for good measure. The
town where he was born, Castleisland in north Kerry, is a theme running
through his writings, the townlands, the favourite fishing places and
the characters with whom he shared his youth populating much of this work.
His obvious love of football is somewhat tempered by the scathing things
he has to say about the way in which Dr Croke “invented” the game, and
the notorious Ban. He dwells rather more on the glories of soccer and
in particular Ireland’s fortunes in the various World and European Cups
over the past two decades. Though nowadays based in Dublin, Houlihan belongs
to that select group of Kerry writers that includes Keane, Kennelly and
McMahon. He never fails to catch the interest of the reader, though in
the editing of these essays much repetition has unfortunately been overlooked.
[ top ]
Dublinia by Howard Clarke,
Sarah Dent & Ruth Johnson
- The enjoyment of this book on mediaeval Dublin is immensely enhanced
by the superb illustrations of sites and artefacts which are scattered
throughout the text. The book was written to complement the Dublinia display
at Christ Church, opened nine years ago, and presents different aspects
of life in Dublin from the 12th to the 16th centuries. An imaginatively
illustrated time chart gives a context to Dublin in the Middle Ages and
the authors, historians and archaeologists cover such topics as the importance
of guilds and crafts, the system of government, house construction and
the significance of religion in mediaeval life. This is a book which will
appeal to any age, with no great sections of text, and photographs of
artefacts superimposed on “Finds Box” explanations. What is does serve
to underline is the abundance of archaeological treasures that have been
discovered in Dublin and the many which have been buried under modern
buildings.
[ top ]
Vegetarian Guide to Ireland
by John & Sally McKenna
The Bridgestone Food Lover’s Guide to Northern Ireland
by Caroline Workman and John McKenna
- These two books in the Bridgestone series aim to lead the visitor
to the best restaurants, hotels and guesthouses, markets and shops in
each location. The Northern Ireland guide takes each county alphabetically
and gives an unblinkered opinion on a range of premises. For example one
renovated building in Co. Down brings forth the comment that the “sharp
eye which mastered the renovations needs to be visited on standards in
the restaurant”. On the whole though, the authors are enthusiastic about
the places they visited, describing Enniskillen butcher Pat O’Doherty
as “a quiet but confident magician” who produces “burgers to die for”.
The Vegetarian Book demonstrates the progress that has been made over
the last twenty years in the provision of imaginative meals for vegetarians
in all thirty-two counties. Again listing the entries alphabetically by
county, the McKennas give shops selling vegetarian food as well as the
best restaurants. Some counties would seem to be a little short on vegetarian
outlets - Monaghan and Offaly have just one entry each - but certainly
the 21st century vegetarian in Ireland is literally well catered for.
[ top ]
The One Who Swears You Can’t
Start Over by Ethna McKiernan
- Ethna McKiernan, an Irish American who lives in Minnesota, presents
us with the contrasting joys of her childhood and the tragedy and heartache
of her later years. From being “the gypsy with the mismatched scarves”
while playing with her sisters, she suffers the anguish of giving a child
up for adoption while at the same time expressing the deep joy brought
by the two sons she has with her. In “All is Calm, All is Bright” she
portrays the precious moments of Christmas preparation and concludes “I’ll
climb the stairs in grateful prayer for every spark of love that lives.”
Perhaps the most affecting and deeply felt section is that entitled “Alzheimer’s
Weather” which records the sorrow, anger and guilt associated with her
mother’s slide into dementia where “No one can stop the memory leaking
from her body in such helpless cupfuls”. With vivid language and use of
metaphor the poet describes her mother’s pain, she looks back on days
of her mother “..standing in the ordinary light doing ordinary things
like ironing and making tea” with a mirror image, almost, of her father
“................crying quietly as he peels the dinner potatoes”. Much
of Eithne McKiernan’s poetry is about depression and loss, but her lighter
poems include the thoughts of a disillusioned Snow White and the new slant
on writers’ block in “The Poet Finds New Formulae”.
[ top ]
Jackie by Don MacMonagle
- Press photographer Don MacMonagle, with Eamonn Keogh, has compiled
a photographic record of the inimitable Kerry politician, Jackie Healy-Rae
mostly, it has to be said in moments of triumph and almost consistently
adorned with the famous tartan cap. However there is one group giving
four views of the famous hairstyle, Healy-Rae favouring the “comb it forward
to hide the baldness” school of hairdressing. Interspersed with the photographs
are some biographical notes that pay tribute to the energy and drive of
the man who has been an agricultural contractor, a county council worker,
a musician and a publican during his full life. A personal favourite of
the portraits has to be that taken with 105-year-old Katie O’Sullivan
from Beaufort, who was Kerry’s oldest citizen when the photograph was
taken last year. If this particular Kerryman lasts as well as Katie apparently
did then he will be with us for a long time yet.
[ top ]
The Mountains of Mourne by
David Kirk
- If you have ever walked or climbed in the Mournes, or even viewed
them from the towns and villages around their base, this collection of
photographs, paintings and reflections will bring you back to their magnificence
and their mystery. In his introduction Dawson Stelfox states that the
Mournes “offer a perfect balance of accessibility and wildness that creates
a very human scale”, though he also warns that in overprotecting the environment
of the mountains “the dead hand of worthiness stifles the adventure”.
The chapters on the mountains, the lakes, rivers and streams within them,
the stones themselves and the living things to be found there, are interspersed
with prose, poetry and quotation from past and present, native and foreigner.
Freidrich Nietzsche and William Shakespeare, Percy French and Lord Byron,
all have had something to say, not about the Mournes, but about mountains,
walking and escaping from the noise of towns and cities. If you have never
walked the Mournes these images of “A Place Apart” will draw you to them;
if you have, they will certainly bring you back to savour the experience
once again.
[ top ]
|