This captivating book delves into the secretive world of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and its profound impact on Ireland’s political landscape between 1914 and 1924. With the aid of new documentation, Ranelagh unravels the true influence of the oath-bound society without which the 1916 Rising might never have taken shape. For Michael Collins, the IRB was the true custodian of the Irish Republic, and the only body he pledged his loyalty to, but its legacy remains obscured by its intense secrecy. This book re-introduces the IRB as the organisation that created and furnished the IRA, influenced the result of the critical 1918 election, and changed the face of Irish history. From Éamon de Valera’s recollections of how he first learned of the Treaty to narratives from Nora Connolly O’Brien, Emmett Dalton et al, testimonies from key figures paint a vivid picture of the IRB’s inner workings and external influence. A fascinating exploration of secret societies, political manoeuvres, and personal sacrifices, The Irish Republican Brotherhood 1914–1924 casts new light on a pivotal chapter in Ireland’s quest for independence.

This book analyzes the ideology and organizational traditions of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), its role in Irish politics and its place in Irish history. While the IRB has long been associated with the insurrections of 1867 and 1916, Owen McGee argues that it was never primarily an insurrectionary conspiracy; rather it was a popular fraternal organization and propagandistic body, committed to bringing about popular politicization in Ireland along republican lines. Focusing primarily on the new departures in Irish politics between the land war of 1879-81 and the outbreak of the First World War, this study identifies this period as being a critical phase in the evolution of modern Irish republicanism, as well as being the pivotal stage in the history of the IRB itself. It throws fresh light on the social and political origins of the Irish revolution of 1912-23, as well as the IRB's intended political role during that eventful epoch. Prominent members included: Michael Collins, James Stephens, Arthur Griffith, Bulkmer Hobson, Eamonn Ceannt and Edward Daly (the latter two fought in 1916 and were executed as a result of their involvement).

In an era of mass mobilisation, the Great Famine and rebellion, this book shows how the writers of the mid-19th century Dublin nationalist press were at the heart of Irish nationalist activities, and evaluates the consequences for the development of Irish nationalism.

From Collins to Cú Chulainn and from Dev to Daniel O'Connell, this is a collection of short biographies of some of the most admirable Irishmen and women in history. The heroes range across time and offer an exceptional overview of Irish history, including well-known figures from the worlds of medicine, science, politics, the Arts and education, as well as some of the lesser-known but equally brave and heroic characters from our history. Designed to inform and entertain both the new reader and those familiar with Irish culture, it features: Michael Davitt, Constance Markievicz, Charles Stewart Parnell, Mary Aikenhead, Éamon de Valera, Patrick Pearse, Brian Boru, George Boole, James Gandon, Henry Joy McCracken, Patrick Sarsfield, Betsy Gray, St Brendan, Henry Grattan, Nano Nagle, Michael Collins, Douglas Hyde, Daniel O'Connell, James Connolly, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Jonathan Swift, Cú Chulainn, Liam Lynch and Theobald Wolfe Tone, among others.