Speeches from the Dock; Or, Protests of Irish Patriotism

by Timothy Daniel Sullivan (editor), Alexander Martin Sullivan (editor), Denis Baylor Sullivan (editor)

Includes speeches by Theobald Wolfe Tone, William Orr, The Brothers Sheares, Robert Emmet, John Martin (1848), William Smith O'Brien, Thomas Francis Meagher, Terence Bellew Mcmanus, John Mitchel, Thomas C. Luby, John O'Leary, Charles J. Kickham, Colonel Thomas F. Burke and Captain Mackay. "To the lovers of Ireland-to those who sympathize with her sufferings and resent her wrongs, there can be few things more interesting than the history of the struggles which sprang from devotion to her cause, and were consecrated by the blood of her patriots. The efforts of the Irish race to burst the fetters that foreign force and native dissensions imposed on them, and elevate their country from bondage and degradation to a place amongst free nations, fill a page in the world's history which no lover of freedom can read without emotion, and which must excite wonder, admiration, and regret in the mind of every man with whom patriotism is not a reproach, and who can sympathize with a cause ennobled by fidelity and sacrifice, and sanctified by the blood and tears of a nation."

Genres: Ireland

488 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1867

Reviews

[T.J. Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is is said that only in Ireland could a collection of speeches made by convicted traitors be a bestseller, but this fascinating historical record reminds us of a long, sad history where patriotism and futility often met in martyrdom and tragedy.

As the title states, the book is essentially a compendium of speeches made from the dock, or the part of a criminal courtroom where a prisoner stands during trial, but it does offer a slight biography (bordering hagiography) of some of Ireland’s most famous rebel heroes.

Much of my knowledge of Irish history has been centered on the big events of the 20th century: The Easter Uprising, the Civil War of the 1920s, the rise of the IRA and the Troubles, the Black Friday accords, etc. Published in 1868, Speeches is a testament to the earlier and far less successful struggles.

There are quite a few speeches that are worth a casual reader’s interest: the opening on Wolfe Tone, the French Revolution and the uprising of 1798; W.S. O’Brien and the Young Irelander revolt of 1848; the absolutely fascinating story of Francis Meagher (nicknamed “Meagher of the Sword” because he preached violence over reform, he was sentenced to Van Diemen's Land, escaped, made his way to America where he became a Union General in the Civil War, and became governor of Montana); and the Fenian Brotherhood, with all of those American-born Irish patriots coming home to fight in one more failed go in 1867.

It’s a free download via Amazon. If nothing else, read Robert Emmet’s final speech. It’s heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time.

A “terrible beauty” indeed.

[Ronan Killeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book I tought i probably would enjoy but since being published in 1950's the wall to wall reading dosen't help make it an enjoyable interesting read. It would be better if more paraghraph's were put in.

[Marina.Downing · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gives you a lot to think about