Haughey: Prince of Power

by Conor Lenihan

Haughey - Prince Of Power deals with the enormous shadow Charles J. Haughey cast over Irish public life for a period of more than thirty years.

From the 1960's onwards, Haughey had a personal lifestyle that raised significant doubts about his presence in public life. But quite apart from his image as a ruthless operator, with a seemingly wealthy background, Haughey established impeccable liberal credentials through reforming legislative initiatives.

In this new book, Conor Lenihan gives an intimate insight into the world Haughey mowed in - politics, the arts, and the theatre of power. Central to the book is Haughey's ordeal at the time of the Arms Trial. Haughey was acquitted and the trial paradoxically paved his ultimate route to power.

The author draws from conventional sources and his unique family perspective on the life and times of Charles J, Haughey - a career richly defined by corruption, scandal and the naked pursuit of power.

421 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2015

Reviews

[Ian Callagy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps the most polarising figure in Irish political life. Conor Lenihan is rightly critical of Haughey. It is hard to escape the view that the former taoiseach was a politician of dishonest character and this dishonesty was his greatest handicap. Despite this, Haughey had an ability to get things done - an ability Garret Fitzgerald lacked. It is a pity that we never had a leader fusing Fitzgerald's good character and the sheer pragmatism possessed by Haughey. Instead, in the 1980's, we got the worst of both worlds. This book is factually written with no padding. However some of it is poorly written ("thrown into the back benches", he writes of his father's sacking in1990 in the aftermath of the failed presidential election) for an ex-journalist. A great read, Lenihan's book brings the Haughey era full circle. The question should be asked: why the membership allowed him lead Fianna Fail for so long given the man's obvious unsuitability? Those around Haughey, who sustained his leadership for years, should be deeply ashamed. Lessons must be learned from the Haughey era, no less within Fianna Fail.

[C.A.I. Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insightful book into what Lenihan refers to as the ‘Haughey Era’, from the late 60s until the early 90s, when Charles Haughey remained a constant in Irish public life. The book isn’t too heavy going, and the author frequently ties in his own and his father’s recollections of events.

Its attitude towards Haughey is mixed, describing him as ‘good for the country but bad for politics’, and while Lenihan does condemn many of Haughey’s actions, his tone does suggest some level of respect for him. Often at times the book reads like a history of the relationship between Haughey and his father, Brian Lenihan, but then Lenihan had specified the personal nature of his writing in the opening.