Grounded in Eire: The Story of Two Raf Fliers Interned in Ireland During World War II

by Ralph Keefer

After an unusual interrogation at the hands of the Local Defence Force in County Clare, Keefer and Calder were transferred to a makeshift prison camp in County Kildare B right next to a similar camp for German prisoners. There they found themselves subject to a surreal honour system that allowed them daily parole away from their internment camp, free to golf or cycle across the broad plains of the Curragh without any supervision. This system forbid escape attempts when they were on parole but bound them, as RAF officers, to attempt to escape upon their return to camp. A colourful and often amusing record of events, Grounded in Eire offers insight into this little-known aspect of the war and provides a testament to courage, friendship, and perseverance in the face of unusual obstacles.

Genres: History, World War II

280 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

Reviews

[Margaret Byrne · Rating 1 out of 5]

A missed opporunity to write an interesting book on a topic that few know about. The author writes in appalling stage Irish idiom that would make Spike Milligan blush and borders on racism. If the same language was used about any ethnic group other than the Irish this book would not have been published for fear of causing offence. Let down badly by the proof reader the book is full of factual errors, many words are misspelled and the author deep's rooted prejudice against the Irish is barely contained. In many cases the author speculates regarding events that never actually happened in reality he also attributes motives to characters that are entirely his own manufacture. An amalgam of a Boys Own tale and a Punch diatribe against the Irish people this book is an example of bigotry frozen in a bygone era.

[Dan McCarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, focuses on the men in internment and their story of escape. I wish there was more time taken to provide context surrounding Eiré in The Emergency though some time is taken at the end to discuss some of the political balancing act that was going on at the time

[Allan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a more 'matter of fact' rather than anecdotal account so I was somewhat disappointed in the format. Certainly the subject matter is interesting enough; particularily the tightrope Eire walked in its bid to remain neutral.

[Andréa Geleynse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Grounded in Eire. It was funny at times and inspirational, an almost unbelievable story with witty and engaging characters. I also really liked learning more about Ireland’s experiences during the war which often tend to get overlooked because they remained neutral.