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Atlas of the Irish Civil War completes a “history trilogy” in the acclaimed Atlas Series
- New entry in the Atlas Series is first book to list fatalities of the Irish Civil War
- Previous award-winning entries in the Series spawned RTÉ documentaries
- Demand has seen new Atlas sell out first print run with book trade before publication date
The multi award-winning publishing phenomenon ‘Atlas’ series today launches the publication of Atlas of the Irish Civil War, a new book that commits to print for the very first time a list of all the combatant and civilian fatalities of the War.
Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New perspectives follows the Atlas of the Great Irish Famine (2012) and the Atlas of the Irish Revolution (2017) – both of which were adapted to television documentaries for RTÉ and both winners of the Best Irish Published Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards.
Publication of this latest book in the Cork University Press Series has been highly anticipated, with Atlas of the Irish Civil War having already sold out its first print run to the trade, such is the demand from bookstores.
Edited by the University College Cork team of Dr Hélène O’Keeffe, Dr John Crowley, Dr Donal Ó Drisceoil, Dr John Borgonovo and Mike Murphy, this new volume is produced in partnership with the National Library of Ireland with support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and includes a foreword by President Michael D Higgins.
It brings together contributions from more than 90 scholars from Ireland, the UK and the US with 400+ colour photographs, paintings, archival documents and a series of newly created original maps.
Dr Hélène O’Keeffe of the volume remarked:
“Inspired by the public engagement projects coordinated by UCC's Atlas research team during the Decade of Centenaries, Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New perspectives is a companion to Cork University Press' landmark Atlas of the Irish Revolution (2017). This new volume is authoritative, accessible and visually evocative. Rather than offering a single narrative of the bitter conflict, Atlas of the Irish Civil War provides a multitude of perspectives based on exciting new research across a range of disciplines. Comprised of scores of maps, hundreds of photos and documents, and contributions from ninety top scholars in the field, the volume informs, challenges, and expands our understanding of a war that is still debated over a hundred years after its conclusion.
Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the National Library of Ireland which is a partner of the project, said:
“Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New perspectives is an extraordinary achievement that sheds new light on one of the most defining episodes of 20th century Irish history. With contributions from over ninety scholars, this volume enriches our understanding of the Civil War’s complexities and its lasting impact on Irish society. The National Library of Ireland is proud to partner in the production of this significant work, which, through its comprehensive research and visual narrative, will be an invaluable resource for both scholars and the general public.”
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin added:
“The Irish Civil War was a great national tragedy and left a deep wound in the newly independent State. The significant loss of life and the injury to the fabric of our communities, and many families, were felt for generations - even to this day. Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New perspectives presents a nuanced understanding of this tragic, tumultuous and complex period in Irish history.
“I note that the Atlas features contributions from a diverse swath of leading scholars from a range of disciplines and it is robustly underpinned by the data and newly created maps produced by UCC under its recently completed research - Mapping the Irish Civil War Fatalities project - and is richly illustrated with photographs and archival documents through a wonderful and rewarding partnership with the National Library of Ireland.
“The enormous and thorough work undertaken in the scoping, research and design of the Atlas serves to deepen our appreciation of the challenges faced and sacrifices made by many directly affected individuals, families and communities in the early days of the nascent State.
“From the outset of the broader research project under the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023, my Department has supported the scope and ambition of UCC and Cork University Press, with encouragement and significant funding to underpin the task. The engaging, innovative & highly accessible outcomes derived from that support are exactly the kind of new and permanent resources that the Expert Advisory Group and Government hoped would emerge as an enduring legacy of the commemorative programme.
“I commend all those who worked on and supported the delivery of the Atlas. Cork University Press continues to set a high standard and this publication will no doubt help to inform and inspire all those engaged in the further exploration of the vital, complex and painful birth of the Irish nation,” Minister Martin said.