New Multi Volume History of Ireland Series launched
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New Multi Volume History of Ireland Series launched
10.06.2011

An Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny TD, launched earlier this week the new multi volume History of Ireland Series.  Text of An Taoiseach’s speech:  “I am delighted to be here today to officially launch the new multi volume History of Ireland Series by the Four Courts Press. In particular I wish to acknowledge the work and scholarship of Donnachadh O Corrain and Tomas O’Riordain, editors of these two volumes, titled Ireland, 1815 – 1870, Emancipation, Famine, and Religion and Ireland 1870 – 1914, Coercion and Conciliation.

 

 

It has been said that History is the greatest story ever told and what a story do these books tell.  The essence of true scholarship is the interrogation of facts and the presentation of those facts such that the general reader and the scholar are informed. True scholarship respects both the reader and the facts. It is incumbent to be honest to both, and the intent should always to let the individual form his own opinion – provided it can be backed up by facts.   These two volumes tell the great story of Irish History in the 100 years between 1815 and 1915, backed up by facts in a manner which is to be commended.  They will allow students, the general reader and all those interested in Irish history to delve with delight, and enthusiasm across the vast concourse of 19th and early 20th Century Irish History – and make up their own minds…… 

Reflect for a moment upon our understanding of history. All of us here are of an age where we can remember events that are currently taught in our schools as modern history – but do we know the facts? All of us growing up can recall our parents or grandparents reflecting on events in their time, their remembrances and experiences that stretch back to 1916, the War of Independence and Civil War – events we are going to commemorate in the forthcoming decade.  History is that close to us. Subliminally our initial opinion was shaped by how we grew up and what we heard. Many of us went on to benefit from a great education system, and solid historical research and made up our own minds.

Likewise the revolutionary generation were initially children of their circumstance and upbringing. Later on many became independent free thinkers and game changers in our history – indeed writing whole chapters of Irish History by their deeds, writings and influences.  To truly understand their motives, we need to understand and appreciate the context of their environment and that of their parents and grandparents. These publications serve that purpose. They educate, illuminate, illustrate, and most importantly without castigating, challenge, captivate and engage the reader in a History that though well known has many surprises revealed by sound scholarship.

Good stories are always worth retelling – and our History is a great story. Our  history ricochets across the pages of British, European, and American  experience influencing and being influenced in return. It is a story of success, failure, tragedy, triumph, hope and loss. It is their history as much as ours and it is incumbent upon us to be as honest and as forthcoming as possible. Interest in History has never been as great as it is now – witness the rise of the History Channels on television.

In the age of the internet, and mass communication the need to communicate honestly and openly true facts is as necessary as ever before.

It is in this context I wish to commend the initiative of Donnachadh O Corrain and his colleagues in UCC when they set up the Multi Text Project. These publications are the first to be dynamically linked to a dedicated Internet site. This is success indeed. You are to be commended for your vision, your dedication and the legacy you have created for scholars and those interested in modern Irish History. Well done.

I now officially declare these publications launched!

Picture: L-R An Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny TD, Dr Tomás O'Riordan and Professor Donnchadh O'Corrain

 

 

 



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