
Sean Lemass
Robert Savage(Author)
University College Dublin Press
Published on 12. December 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
128 pages
978-1-906359-87-4 (ISBN)
Description
Sean Lemass is generally regarded as the man most responsible for the modernisation of Irish society. This book considers how Lemass evolved as a key figure in Fianna Fail governments and later to become one of the most influential leaders of twentieth-century Ireland. Professor Savage argues that by the time Lemass emerged out of the shadow of Eamon de Valera he had learned valuable lessons concerning the limitations of political power. By 1959 Lemass understood that principle sometimes had to be compromised to ensure the maintenance of political power. This short biography uses a wide array of resources to consider the policies he initiated during his long political career. It also addresses the relationships he developed with a number of institutions including the Government of Northern Ireland and the Catholic Church. This study considers how Lemass grappled with four critical issues during his tenure as Taoiseach. It explores how he tried to advance Ireland's moribund economy, and improve problematic relations with Northern Ireland, the British Government and the Catholic Church.What emerges is a portrait of a shrewd politician intent on moving Ireland forward as a modern, self-confident European nation.
Reviews / Votes
'The undoubted achievements of this legendary pragmatic politician are teased out in this new addition to the UCD Press "Life and Times new series" ... it takes a thematic structure, usefully examining Lemass's career." History Ireland, March/April 2015 'The author, who has a deep knowledge of the Lemass era, draws on the latest archival information in Britain as well as Ireland to throw further light on the career of a key figure in the consolidation of a young Irish state.' The Irish Catholic, February 2015More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Dublin
Ireland
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Thickness: 1 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-906359-87-4 (9781906359874)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
ROBERT SAVAGE is Associate Professor of the Practice of History at Boston College. His 2010 book A Loss on Innocence? Television and Irish Society won the 2010 James S. Donnelly, Sr. Prize for Best Book in History and Social Sciences from the American Conference for Irish Studies. His new book, The BBC's Irish Troubles: Television, Conflict and Northern Ireland will be published in the spring of 2015.
Content
Forward; Preface; Chronology of Lemass's Life and Times; Introduction; CHAPTER ONE: Sean Lemass and the Politics of Economic Policy; CHAPTER TWO: Lemass and Northern Ireland; CHAPTER THREE: Lemass and the British; CHAPTER FOUR: Lemass and the Catholic Church; CHAPTER FIVE: Conclusion; Archives and libraries; Select Bibliography.