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The Bloodied Field
On the morning of 21 November 1920, Jane Boyle walked to Sunday Mass in the church where she would be married five days later. That afternoon she went with her fiancée to watch Tipperary and Dublin play a gaelic football match at Croke Park. Across the city nine men lay dead in their beds after a synchronised IRA attack designed to cripple British intelligence services in Ireland. Trucks of police and military rumbled through the city streets as hundreds of people clamoured at the metal gates of Dublin Castle seeking refuge. Some of them were headed for Croke Park.
Award-winning journalist and author Michael Foley recounts the extraordinary story of Bloody Sunday in Croke Park and the 90 seconds of shooting that changed Irish history forever. In a deeply intimate portrait he tells for the first time the stories of those killed, the police and military that were in Croke Park that day, and the families left shattered in its aftermath, all against the backdrop of a fierce conflict that stretched from the streets of Dublin and the hedgerows of Tipperary to the halls of Westminster.
Award-winning journalist and author Michael Foley recounts the extraordinary story of Bloody Sunday in Croke Park and the 90 seconds of shooting that changed Irish history forever. In a deeply intimate portrait he tells for the first time the stories of those killed, the police and military that were in Croke Park that day, and the families left shattered in its aftermath, all against the backdrop of a fierce conflict that stretched from the streets of Dublin and the hedgerows of Tipperary to the halls of Westminster.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2014
33 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Michael Foley
129 books55 followersOriginally from Killavullen, Co Cork, Michael Foley has written Kings of September, winner of the 2007 BoyleSports Irish Sportsbook of the year. He also ghostwrote Harte: Presence Is the Only Thing, the autobiography of Tyrone gaelic football manager Mickey Harte, shortlisted for the 2009 William Hill Irish Sportsbook of the Year.
Winner of the GAA’s McNamee Award in 2008 and shortlisted for Sports Journalist of the Year in 2003, he is acting sports editor and GAA correspondent for the Irish edition of the Sunday Times. This is his third book. He currently resides in Macroom, Co Cork.
Winner of the GAA’s McNamee Award in 2008 and shortlisted for Sports Journalist of the Year in 2003, he is acting sports editor and GAA correspondent for the Irish edition of the Sunday Times. This is his third book. He currently resides in Macroom, Co Cork.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 17, 2020
Excellent. Anyone with even the slightest interest in Bloody Sunday should read this. It brings the era, the politics (and the politicians), the Black and Tans, the Auxiliaries, the IRA, the GAA, the two football teams and all those people vividly to life.
Heartbreaking.
Heartbreaking.
May 5, 2015
Excellent read, really puts the events of Bloody Sunday (1920) into context, politically and historically. Most importantly though it sheds light on the human stories of that day. Mick Hogan is a well known name all over Ireland but the other victims of that day have perhaps been forgotten over the decades.
Meticulously researched and, I think, accessible for readers who have no knowledge of this event but also has enough fact and detail to keep even the biggest Irish history buff interested.
Meticulously researched and, I think, accessible for readers who have no knowledge of this event but also has enough fact and detail to keep even the biggest Irish history buff interested.
May 16, 2015
An accessible and sometimes exciting retelling of the first Bloody Sunday, its causes and its players. Some sublime moments in the book such as the scenes at Croke Park. Having said that there was a lot of filler which I found laborious and didn't really capture me. Still a very worthwhile and detailed read for those from Ireland or with an interest in Irish history.
April 28, 2020
A very human telling of one of the key events in Irish history. Really makes you feel like you know the characters personally and it puts all the events in context so you can understand the motivations on all sides. I knew very little about the GAA before reading this, so an interest in sports is certainly not essential.
January 16, 2015
Bloodied Field Indeed
Mr. Foley's book contains a detailed, vivid and well researched account of this very sad and defining episode of Irish history. He obviously spent a large amount of time examining Croke Park witness statements, U.K. Government investigation papers, Auxiliary, Black and Tan, and RIC accounts. He has distilled the information into an excellent book.
From Grangemockler, to Soloheadbeg to Dublin, he quite skillfully weaves together Tipperary and Irish Football's early 20th century history with distinct portraits of the grand footballers and the IRA. Sometimes being the same individuals.
With the Dublin Castle officials attempting to impose a ban across Ireland on Irish Football, and other indigenous sports, the Irish spirit survives with ingenious creativity, and stealth, to continue Football training and competitions.
Who knew that County Tipperary domination of early 20th century Irish Football combined with Michael Collins's Squad activities would lead to a very unpleasant and disastrous 21 November 1920?
Mr. Foley's book contains a detailed, vivid and well researched account of this very sad and defining episode of Irish history. He obviously spent a large amount of time examining Croke Park witness statements, U.K. Government investigation papers, Auxiliary, Black and Tan, and RIC accounts. He has distilled the information into an excellent book.
From Grangemockler, to Soloheadbeg to Dublin, he quite skillfully weaves together Tipperary and Irish Football's early 20th century history with distinct portraits of the grand footballers and the IRA. Sometimes being the same individuals.
With the Dublin Castle officials attempting to impose a ban across Ireland on Irish Football, and other indigenous sports, the Irish spirit survives with ingenious creativity, and stealth, to continue Football training and competitions.
Who knew that County Tipperary domination of early 20th century Irish Football combined with Michael Collins's Squad activities would lead to a very unpleasant and disastrous 21 November 1920?
March 29, 2020
A balanced , well researched and well written account of Bloody Sunday 1920, when the RIC, Auxiliaries and Black and Tans turned their guns on the crowd in a packed Croke Park, as a reprisal for the killing of spies that morning. As well as the actual events of the 21st Nov 1920, it builds up to the day, placing things in context both sporting and political and also focuses on the personal, including the stories of many of those who died. As the 100th anniversary of this event approaches, it will be interesting to see how it is marked, taking into consideration the developments over the past 25 years in the relationship and changing power dynamics between Ireland, north and south and the UK.
August 20, 2020
Really , a perfect book . I can’t recommended it highly enough . Compassionate , balanced , insightful , deeply moving and absolutely unputdownable. If you have any interest at all in Irish sporting, cultural or political history you simply have to read it .
May 4, 2022
Brilliant, a history story, a sports story & just moved me. Don't normally write long reviews but some facts & quotes from this book I wanted to share.
1. Did you know: The Hill 60 Terrace was initially named after a battle involving Irish Troops @ Gallipoli, it was later renamed Hill 16 in the 1930s to commemorate the Easter Rising.
2. When all the evidence & various enquiries completed it produced a v different story to the original version produced by the Brits. Only one gun had been found among the thousands of supporters that day and not thirty!!..as reported by the Brits from Dublin Castle in the initial aftermath.
4. Tipperary & Dublin ultimately met again in the next All Ireland Football final played. Tipperary won & a quote from the day read - "It was a victory of buttermilk over skimmed milk". Probably one of best quotes I've read about a victory over Dublin.
5. In total 32 people were killed on that fateful day in Croke Park.
6. Since winning the 1920 All Ireland Football final Tipperary have never won an All Ireland Football final since.
To be transparent and fair to both sides Queen Elizabeth's speech in her 2011 visit went a long way to acknowledging the wrong on that bloodiest of Sundays!!...
"So much of this visit reminds us of the complexity of our history, its many layers and traditions, but also the importance of forbearance and conciliation. Of being able to bow to the past, but not be bound by it.
1. Did you know: The Hill 60 Terrace was initially named after a battle involving Irish Troops @ Gallipoli, it was later renamed Hill 16 in the 1930s to commemorate the Easter Rising.
2. When all the evidence & various enquiries completed it produced a v different story to the original version produced by the Brits. Only one gun had been found among the thousands of supporters that day and not thirty!!..as reported by the Brits from Dublin Castle in the initial aftermath.
4. Tipperary & Dublin ultimately met again in the next All Ireland Football final played. Tipperary won & a quote from the day read - "It was a victory of buttermilk over skimmed milk". Probably one of best quotes I've read about a victory over Dublin.
5. In total 32 people were killed on that fateful day in Croke Park.
6. Since winning the 1920 All Ireland Football final Tipperary have never won an All Ireland Football final since.
To be transparent and fair to both sides Queen Elizabeth's speech in her 2011 visit went a long way to acknowledging the wrong on that bloodiest of Sundays!!...
"So much of this visit reminds us of the complexity of our history, its many layers and traditions, but also the importance of forbearance and conciliation. Of being able to bow to the past, but not be bound by it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2020
Very enjoyable to read such a definitive account of a day that is well known in general terms within GAA circles, but this is the first time I learned of any specifics. It will particularly resonate with people who know the country, the city, the streets around Croke Park, and the context of that time. However, anybody with an interest in history and drama will also enjoy it. For those less familiar with the Ireland of that time, watching the movie “Michael Collins” might be a good exercise before starting into this!
Michael Foley draws detailed, loving dramatizations of the people in the book. The care and respect he has for the material he has gathered through his research and interviews is evident throughout. A very worthy project, the result is not just a thrilling account of an incredible day, but also an important historical artifact. Seeing Dublin’s Bloody Sunday put in the same sentence as Amritsar brings home just how significant this event was and is. As its centenary approaches, it remains a storied part of Irish folklore. This book pays the gravitas of the event the respect it deserves.
Michael Foley draws detailed, loving dramatizations of the people in the book. The care and respect he has for the material he has gathered through his research and interviews is evident throughout. A very worthy project, the result is not just a thrilling account of an incredible day, but also an important historical artifact. Seeing Dublin’s Bloody Sunday put in the same sentence as Amritsar brings home just how significant this event was and is. As its centenary approaches, it remains a storied part of Irish folklore. This book pays the gravitas of the event the respect it deserves.
June 10, 2025
Most people have heard of Bloody Sunday; the massacre of 26 unarmed Irish civilians by British troops in 1972. How many people, though, have heard of the original Bloody Sunday, in 1920? Not many.
Even I, who know a lot about the Anglo-Irish battle and the 'Troubles', as they are known, hadn't heard of this event. Innocent, football-going civilians, gunned down mercilessly, as revenge for an IRA attack that most of the people killed had no part in.
A superb book which gives a historical recount of that day and the events leading up to it, intertwined with the personal stories of those involved and what led them there, all played out against the backdrop of the history and development of Gaelic football.
Even I, who know a lot about the Anglo-Irish battle and the 'Troubles', as they are known, hadn't heard of this event. Innocent, football-going civilians, gunned down mercilessly, as revenge for an IRA attack that most of the people killed had no part in.
A superb book which gives a historical recount of that day and the events leading up to it, intertwined with the personal stories of those involved and what led them there, all played out against the backdrop of the history and development of Gaelic football.
January 14, 2018
I enjoyed the book. I’m not a GAA fan so i glossed over the detailed sport sections a bit but it is an excellent take on history and a great insight to the times. I find it interesting that that last word in the book was given to the queen and i note that though she expresses regret she did not offer an apology.
March 19, 2021
The book starts slow with the first few chapters reading like a genealogy report, but goodness this incredibly well-researched book definitely pulls your heart strings. The stories of the victims of Bloody Sunday are told alongside enough background information about the event to guide the reader through this chapter in Irish history.
October 14, 2021
A gem of a book. This is a book that has been thoroughly researched by the author. Using primary sources, Michael Foley has crafted an excellent book on the history of Bloody Sunday and its role in the struggle for independence. It was a tragic event that came to define the GAA and its identity, particularly in the early years of the Free State. Highly recommended.
January 28, 2025
Foley’s account of the horrible events that took place in 1920’s was thrilling and disturbing. The detailed account of the horrors that took place on January 20th in Croke Park highlights the situation in Ireland at the time. The attack was the response to Collins assassination of top officials in the British army/police force which is also highlighted.
January 16, 2026
A great insight into the events of November 21, 1920. Foley does an excellent job at collecting the various witness statements and accounts of the events of that day and pulling them together into a coherent narrative.
March 22, 2020
Informative though gets dry at times. I had no idea of this event before. Very interesting look at Irish-UK relations during that period. I hadn’t realized it was that bad.
September 4, 2021
A good history of Ireland, GAA and of course the bloody Sunday event. A very interesting read that was well researched and a story well told
September 9, 2021
Well written but for the truly committed
December 29, 2021
I absolutely loved this book and cannot recommend more for anyone who liked Say Nothing or is interested in Irish history or really just sports history.
February 13, 2023
Bookclub book.
January 31, 2026
Ireland's history deserves to be more widely known - I feel embarrassed by what I did not know prior to this book.
February 1, 2016
Sometimes I drifted when the matches were discussed or many new characters were introduced, but later I felt this level of detail paid off handsomely when the stories of the volunteer attacks and reprisals were discussed. It really brought out the humanity and inhumanity of man when Michael Foley wrote about these incidents. I initially would have avoided of this kind but in the end I enjoyed the book. It really added to my understanding of the Irish Civil War period portrayed in Neil Jordan's movie about Michael Collins. When I was reading about General Nevil Macready's reasons for going into Croke Park and the panic that was descending on Dublin Castle, a real picture of the complex set of circumstances leading up the tragedy became clear to me. I even felt sorry for Macready and wondered what I'd have done myself. All in all I'd give the book 7 out of 10!
March 3, 2021
Fantastic book detailing the events and aftermath of Bloody Sunday. The author does a brilliant job at bringing to light the events, what it was like in ireland during that time period and most importantly bringing to light the stories of the victims of that day. Would definitely recommend
February 15, 2015
Excellent in parts A little laboured in other parts Overall 3.5
January 18, 2015
learned a lot of history in that timeline of the GAA and conflict of IRA and British army, Black and Tans, RIC. Very good read also.
May 16, 2018
Excellent
August 24, 2015
Great book about Bloody Sunday, if you are into to Irish history it's a good book to read, even if you feel curious about it.
May 21, 2016
Interesting account of the events of Bloody Sunday, some great bits of writing, but other parts are confusing as the author goes from character to character without properly identifying who is who.
July 12, 2019
£6.03
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews