Politics and Irish Life, 1913-21

This text examines the political experience of ordinary Irish people during the years of turmoil preceding independence. It discusses the interaction of social experience and political behaviour among several groups - the "crown Forces", Protestants, Home Rulers, Sinn Feiners, revolutionary administrators, guerilla fighters and those representing the interests of labourers and farmers. The study is centred upon County Clare, and draws upon the personal recollections as well as public and private archives. Its central theme is the supremacy of local over national interests in shaping the Irish revolution. The text analyzes similarities between the Home Rule movement and Sinn Fein, demonstrating the impact of the Great War in changing the course of politics in Ireland as elsewhere. It offers a survey of the social context in which the Irish revolution was forged.