On The Run: The Story of an Irish Freedom Fighter

by Colm Ó Gaora, Ruán O'Donnell (Editor)

The Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) consisted to a large degree of a series of reprisal killings between the IRA and the British Crown forces. An important figure in the development of Republicanism and the Irish Republican Brotherhood in the west of Ireland was Colm O'Gaora, was also a leading figure in the first generation of Nationalist intellectuals who defined the emergence of the nascent Irish state. On the Run is his memoir and provides a fascinating insight into a particularly turbulent era in Irish history. First hand accounts of the West of Ireland during these years of revival and revolution are comparatively rare. O'Gaora illuminates the historical record, however, and provides his unique recollections of the period, as well as descriptions of his imprisonment in both Dublin and in Britain for Republican activities.

354 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2011

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the Sinn Fein bookshop on a whim because it looked somewhat interesting especially given a recent trip to the Pearse’s cottage in Connemara. But it was actually a fantastic exposition not only of cultural nationalism in the west of Ireland at that time, and the Republican movement efforts at independence but also a great social history of life in the region in the early 20th century.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book encompasses an important part of Ireland's history. It is a personal account written with cultural and political details, creativity, humor, and poignancy.