Land War to Civil War 1900-1924

This new publication paints a compelling picture of Ireland during the period 1900-1924. Building on the well-received Ancient Sweet Donoughmore:Life in an Irish Rural Parish to 1900 (2015) it broadens its scope , encompassing events in Cork City and County and beyond as well as Manchester in the UK, giving a more expanded study of the period.

It is a story of conflict and perseverance leading to Irish Independence. It explores, examines, and explains how this was achieved. A journey recounting numerous incidents and experiences begins in Donoughmore stopping at various locations through to Cork City and internationally. It is all here; the executions of Mrs. Lindsay and Compton Smith, Mary Healy and De Valera, The Wallace’s ‘little shop’, Dripsey Ambush, Civil War, executions, prison life, sport, culture, economic life, all tempered with impromptu little nuggets guaranteed to enthrall. Its 480 pages are packed with fascinating details including images not seen previously and supplemented with intriguing table data along with names that may be your ancestors. €15 of each copy sold will be donated to cancer care services in Cork.

Testimonials

" A comprehensive history of Mid-Cork and its environs. O' Rourke has done an enormous amount of research. This is likely to be an important source book for Cork County and City for many years to come"
Gerard Murphy, Author.

" A difficult job magnificently accomplished, the coverage is exemplary-in depth, without being laboured; inquisitorial without being bland; well-written without being 'flashy'. In short, a model of what a local history should be. Those living in the area, now and for many years to come, are privileged, for without the hard, conscious effort required to chronicle and interpret such history, it is all-too-quickly forgotten"
Gabriel Doherty, Lecturer, School of History, University College Cork.

" While the Decade of Centenaries has ended, it has left behind a rich legacy of newly open archives which greatly assist the work of the local historian. Gerard O’Rourke has searched hard and dug deep to uncover the story of his native Donoughmore during the tumultuous early decades of the twentieth century. Land War to Civil War: Donoughmore to Cork and Beyond does exactly what it says on the tin, telling the story in vivid detail, pulling no punches, examining all angles; holding all evidence up to scrutiny. Some old myths are demolished, and some new stories emerge in glowing detail. Triumph and tragedy through the testimony of those who endured them makes this a fitting companion piece to Ancient Sweet Donoughmore and presents a challenge to other parish historians to tell their story"
John Mulcahy, Historian.

Ancient Sweet Donoughmore chronicles the growth of an Irish rural district in Mid-Cork to the beginning of the twentieth century. Along this journey the archaeology, early Christian and medieval periods are explored; leading to a study of the religious and agrarian aspects; the Great Famine and development of education culminating in an examination of the economy and the land question. Donoughmore is an old and historic district with the richest storehouse of pre historic monuments in Munster. Its early Christian church is synonymous with the patron saint Lachtin whose reliquary is one of the finest examples of 12th century metalwork in Ireland. Through a long period of settlement, a story of cultural identity and fortitude is unfolded relating to the people who inherited that landscape. Primary evidence never previously published gives the reader a direct and fascinating insight into the lives of people and transports them though a time tunnel of suspense and intrigue with some surprises.

" A very interesting and informative piece of work which is well sourced and referenced"
John Coolahan, Professor Emeritus of Education National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

" The book enhances and enriches our understanding of this storied locality"
John A Murphy, Emeritus Professor of History UCC.

" A scholary and truely monumental body of work that will be treasured for future generations"
Michael Galvin, Author and Historian.